§ The Prime MinisterI hope to do so in the near future, Sir.
§ Mr. AdleyForgetting what has happened and is happening in Scotland and Holyhead and on the Southern Region of British Rail, to name but three, when the Prime Minister chairs that meeting will he be able to claim that the social contract has now ushered in an unprecedented period of industrial peace or will he tell the truth?
§ The Prime MinisterNo one ever claimed that it would usher in an unprecedented period of industrial peace. We said that in a democracy it was the 878 best way of handling these problems when compared with the policies which led to confrontation last February—and the country apparently agreed. The hon. Member named "but three" incidents. I cannot remember all of them, but I know that two of the unions concerned are not even affiliated to the TUC.
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkIs my right hon. Friend aware how fond the Leader of the Opposition is of lecturing trade unionists? Is he not surprised that, while we have a strike of consultants in the North-East, the Leader of the Opposition is not, in his normal forthright language condemning their ransoming of the sick? Will my right hon. Friend ask the Leader of the Opposition whether he will now ask consultants in the North-East to abide by parliamentary sovereignty and the Secretary of State's decision to implement a policy of the removal of pay beds, a policy that was stated in our manifesto and for which we have a mandate?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that in the Parliament which ended last February there was fairly general agreement that too many Questions to the Prime Minister degenerated into supplementary questions asking for the views of the Leader of the Opposition. That is not the most fruitful way of handling Question Time, because, as I have said, I have no ministerial responsibility for the Leader of the Opposition. The matter referred to by my hon. Friend is, of course, of very deep concern. Discussions have been taking place in relation to this question for some months.
§ Mr. Tom KingIf the social compact is to include all useful people, does the Prime Minister feel that the livestock farmers are useful people whose interests should be considered at present? If he does, will he intervene directly in the really serious situation that they face?
§ The Prime MinisterIn the House a week ago I quoted in full what I said about "useful people". It seemed to bore Opposition Members; perhaps that is why the hon. Gentleman did not hear what I said. Of course it would include them. These matters were discussed last Thursday in the debate on agriculture, but the Question I am answering today relates to chairing a meeting of the NEDC.
§ Mr. HeathAs the Prime Minister realises, the council has now been in existence for over a decade, broadly in the same form and with the same working arrangements. When he next takes the chair, will he discuss with the members of the council the question of broadening the organisation of the NEDC, giving it greater functions to perform and making available to its members, in a way which has not so far been done, the forecasts for the future development of the economy, in a form which will enable discussions to be carried on in the country as a whole on a more informed basis? If the right hon. Gentleman could discuss this with the NEDC it would be an advantage in the difficult economic situation that we now face.
§ The Prime MinisterOne or two changes were made in the council during the right hon. Gentleman's premiership. Indeed, I believe that they led to improvements. I am aware of the suggestions he has just made; I think he made them publicly in the last week of the General Election campaign. Obviously, it is a matter for the council to consider any improvements. But as for the idea of turning this into a public body, whether by having television lights and auto-cues on, by revealing all the documents that are given to the council—which no successive Government have ever done previously—or by issuing the statements made, I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman on reflection will perhaps think again about this matter. It could be considered, but it will be clear that the people there are not there in a representative capacity. I think they would all feel that they had to have prepared statements which could be issued. I think that that would diminish rather than enhance the council's usefulness.