LEES, LANCASHIRE (Hansard, 27 July 1972)

§ Q4. Mr. Lamond
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Lees, Lancashire.

§ The Prime Minister
I have at present no plans to do so.

§ Mr. Lamond
Is the Prime Minister aware that pensioners in Lees, like those everywhere else, want the right hon. Gentleman to be reminded that they are still waiting for the 75p increase? Even if the Prime Minister is not particularly concerned about their plight, would not it be a good electoral gimmick, if he means to have an autumn election, to double that increase so that at least some people benefited from an election?

§ The Prime Minister
The two increases that this Government have arranged since we have been in power have resulted in the addition of nearly one-third to the pension. In addition, we have instituted annual reviews, and no previous Government have a record as good as that.

§ Mrs. Monks
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the vast majority of people in the whole of Lancashire would welcome a visit from him so that they could thank him for the financial and other help that they have had recently? Is my right hon. Friend also aware that this help, plus our natural shrewdness and capacity for hard work, will bring us renewed and continuing prosperity?

§ The Prime Minister
I think that the step that the Government have taken in regional policy to extend intermediate areas to the whole of the North-West has been widely welcomed by the people of Lancashire. I have had many letters from them, including the local authorities and the North-West Industrial Development Association. I agree that in Lancashire the financial measures that the Government have taken are widely appreciated by people of all parties.

§ Mr. Lipton
Would not it help save the time of the House, reverting to the Prime Minister's original reply, if he could only let us have a list of all the things that he has no plans to do?

§ The Prime Minister
The hon. Gentleman would then immediately find himself in conflict with the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton), because I should have given a complete blocking answer to all Questions.