GATESHEAD (Hansard, 9 April 1974)

§ Q3. Mr. Horam
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Gateshead.

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

§ Mr. Horam
Is my right hon. Friend aware that during the three and a half years of Conservative rule Gateshead Council did not build even one new housing estate and that three estates are more than two years behind schedule? As a result, hundreds of my constituents are living in squalor that is appalling to see, let alone to experience, and this situation can be repeated in many areas of the country. Will my right hon. Friend therefore ensure that house building—and council house building in particular—remains at the top of the Government's priorities?

§ The Prime Minister
On previous visits to Gateshead I have noted some of the housing and social problems mentioned by my hon. Friend. I note from him that so little progress was made during the last three and a half years. Whatever else may divide us, there is no controversy on the question that the national housing programme had totally collapsed before we came to office, and it is our task to try to revive it.

§ Mr. Tom King
Before the right hon. Gentleman goes to Gateshead, where one of the main concerns is the level of food prices, he may care to come to my constituency to meet many of the farmers whose responsibility it is to produce the food that is eaten by people such as the constituents of the hon. Member for Gateshead, West (Mr. Horam). If the right hon. Gentleman visits my constituency he will realise the acute concern among beef farmers in particular 157 over the problems they face and their lack of confidence in the future.

§ The Prime Minister
I think that the hon. Gentleman represents Bridgwater. I should not propose to go to Gateshead by way of Bridgwater, whatever distinguished poets may have done in the matter of Beachy Head. As the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been discussing some of these matters with farmers. We were elected to protect the housewife in this matter while at the same time dealing fairly with farmers and other food producers.