§ Q4. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Prime Minister what request he has received for an official meeting with the leaders of inner London borough councils.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. CoxI note that reply. Is the Prime Minister fully aware that not only his disastrous non-stop food price increases but also his housing policies affect thousands of Londoners each week? As he says that he can do nothing about food price increases, will he at least take action where he does have authority to act—on rents, interest rates, and property prices—in an effort to fight inflation, or is this to be another responsibility that he will try to worm out of?
§ The Prime MinisterThe present Government have done more than any other to help local authorities—for example, through our contributions to the rates. What the ratepayers need to fear is the gross extravagance of local Labour-controlled councils—for example, in Bexley.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the main reason why he has had no request for an official meeting with the leaders of the inner London borough councils is that they became convinced a long time ago that there was no point in seeing him because they would never achieve anything by doing so?
§ The Prime MinisterThen that view is different from the view held by the rest of the local authorities in the country.