HC Deb 25 July 1972 vol 841 cc1527-8
Q1. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech to the Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Association on 6th July about Government policies.

Q8. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech about Government policy at Bexley-Sidcup on 6th July.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

I did so on 7th July, Sir.

Mr. Whitehead

In that speech the Prime Minister was boasting that this was a Government who had kept their pledges. One appreciates that the right hon. Gentleman was at that time celebrating his victory in Bexley-Sidcup because the opposition had faded gracefully away. Does he realise that his policy of confrontation on the industrial front will produce no easy victories over working people who are determined to stand up for their rights? Can the Prime Minister today, with the country on the brink of a general strike, tell the House and the thousands who marched on Pentonville this afternoon exactly how his unjust law is fulfilling his pledge of "one nation"?

The Prime Minister

There is no confrontation by the Government. This matter is an issue between five men and the courts of this land.

Mr. Dalyell

Does it dent the Prime Minister's sense of certainty on these matters that Lord Devlin can choose to go on television and express his extreme concern that the impression is being given—I will put it no higher than that—that the law and the courts of this country are being used to further an industrial policy?

The Prime Minister

I did not hear Lord Devlin and I have no responsibility for what he says. If Lord Devlin expressed that view, the Labour Party are the ones who have given that impression

Mr. Walters

Will my right hon. Friend accept that, although nobody in his senses wishes to have a confrontation with the trade unions, there is a deep feeling amongst the people of this country that they wish to see the country governed by the Government and by Parliament and not dictated to by the unions?

The Prime Minister

That has been the traditional view of this country.

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