HC Deb 28 March 1972 vol 834 cc225-6
Q2. Mr. Onslow

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his policy to acquire copies of the autobiographies of all former Cabinet Minister for the library of No. 10 Downing Street.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, but only on a highly selective basis.

Mr. Onslow

Might I then express the hope that my right hon. Friend should acquire for his library a copy of Lord George-Brown's memoirs? May I com- mend to him the passages in that book which speak of the danger to democracy of politically-motivated strikes? Does he not think that it is time that more members of the party opposite showed that they recognise this danger and were willing to fight against it?

The Prime Minister

I think that Lord George-Brown and the Leader of the Opposition were in agreement on this point. But my hon. Friend will also agree, I think, that many very responsible trade union leaders fully understand how extreme attitudes can threaten the jobs of their members and their standard of living.

Mr. Ashton

Would the Prime Minister assure us that he, too, will one day write his autobiography and tell us the true version of why he changed his policy from one of killing off lame ducks to one of supporting them?

The Prime Minister

It is a policy of supporting organisations which can become viable and can be re-constructed with a proper capital investment plan, rather than pouring in money which is just written off in losses.