HC Deb 25 July 1974 vol 877 cc1810-1
Q3. Mr. Ashton

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Blackpool.

The Prime Minister

I am looking forward to being in Blackpool again later this year, although I have no plans for an official visit.

Mr. Ashton

Will the Prime Minister tell us what he will say to the Labour Party Conference in reply to the proud pledges given to remove the disqualifications of the Clay Cross councillors, given last year and reiterated four months ago, which have now led to a vote of 20 to 2 at Transport House, in the NEC, and a delegation coming to meet him regarding this matter?

The Prime Minister

There is no need to await a visit to Blackpool. I dealt with the question of the legal disqualification in my statement in April. My right hon. Friend will shortly have an announcement to make on this question.

Mr. Churchill

Is the Prime Minister aware that Blackpool, together with the rest of the north-west of England, is being particularly hard hit by the policies of his Government, which have produced a current rate of increase in unemployment of 10,000 per month? Are not the measures announced by the Chancellor in his electioneering Budget wholly irrelevant, with their promises of 20,000 more jobs by the end of next year, when jobs are being lost at a rate of 10,000 a month?

The Prime Minister

I am as well aware as the hon. Gentleman about the position in the North-West, because, like him, I am a North-West constituency Member. But my right hon. Friend dealt very fully with the argument about the figure of 20,000 in the debate yesterday afternoon. The hon. Gentleman did vote last night. Obviously, my right hon. Friend did not satisfy the hon. Gentleman as much as he satisfied the official Opposition.

Mr. Heath

If the Prime Minister's right hon. Friend is to make a statement about the Clay Cross councillors, will the Prime Minister assure the House that it will be made before the House rises, and made to the House?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure how long this will take—there are a number of inquiries to make—but the policy will be in entire accordance with what I said in the House in April.