HC Deb 10 December 1974 vol 883 cc236-7
Q5. Mr. Skinner

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Secretary of State for Education and Science on economic matters on 23rd November at Bromsgrove represents Government policy.

Mr. Edward Short

I have been asked to reply.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 2nd December to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Lamont). —[Vol. 882, c. 368.]

Mr. Skinner

Has my right hon. Friend read any of the dull, stereotyped speeches made recently by the Secretary of State for Education and Science? Does he not think that the Secretary of State would be a little better occupied it he used his time to build more schools and to replace slum schools, such as those at Whitwell in my constituency? Before the Prime Minister meets the TUC to discuss the question of the Shrewsbury pickets, might it not be advisable for him to ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science for a clearance certificate?

Mr. Short

In so far as my right hon. Friend's speeches are concerned with purely domestic affairs in the Labour Party, no question of Government policy arises. With regard to the parts of my right hon. Friend's speeches which relate to Government policy, those speeches represent Government policy.

Mr. Lawson

Will the Leader of the House clearly say that he endorses the views which the Secretary of State for Education and Science expressed with such courage on the issue of the Shrewsbury pickets?

Mr. Short

I have already answered questions about the Shrewsbury pickets.

Forward to