§ The Prime MinisterI shall be holding a number of meetings with my ministerial colleagues and others throughout today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.
§ Mr. FreudAs the Prime Minister is now—at Question Time—fulfilling one of his engagements, will he recognise the unsatisfactory state of Prime Minister's Question Time as a means of calling the first Minister to account for his actions? Will he recognise the frustration of Back Benchers at having to table Questions in the currently prescribed form, and will he include a review of Question Time in his review of the procedure and practice of the House of Commons as promised in the Queen's Speech?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter was recently surveyed by a Select Committee of the House and some changes were made. If the hon. Gentleman has any views about Question Time, any suggestions will be a matter for the Select Committee, or whatever body is set up for the review of parliamentary procedure. In recent months, with the growth of syndicated Questions, when I grouped Questions, as I told the House I would, this meant that Questions Q3, Q4 or Q5 could not be reached. That is why I am now answering Questions singly, I hope to the satisfaction of the House.
§ Mr. WellbelovedI recognise that the Prime Minister's engagements for today may make it impossible for him to meet the Parliamentary Labour Party, but could he squeeze in a meeting tomorrow on the Chrysler affair? is my right hon. Friend aware that the Labour Party manifesto lays down that when public money is used to prop up industry, there should be the option of accountability to the nation by the company assisted? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Parliamentary Labour Party is as much the custodian of the manifesto as anyone else and that an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on the subject of Chrysler is vital?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of a meeting with the Parliamentary Labour Party is a matter for the Liaison Committee, which was recently elected. That committee will decide. As to the custodianship of the manifesto, I understand that there are at least two groups within the party each claiming to be the exclusive custodian of the manifesto. I have made clear over a long period that I am always prepared to meet the Parliamentary Labour Party, but not separate groups from within it.
§ Mr. BakerAs today develops, does the Prime Minister think that the Government Benches will be able to speak with a united voice? Is it not manifestly clear that the only thing that keeps his Government together is the courageous determination of certain Ministers not to resign?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, the hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. On very difficult issues such as the one he has in mind, which the House will be debating in a few minutes' time, it is possible not only for various people to have different views, but to have to take account of the situation under which, at first, Mr. Riccardo and the Chrysler Corporation said that they were getting out at the end of November and would not put in any further money. When Chrysler made significant changes, the matter had to be reviewed. But I draw a distinction—and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, with his vast experience, will understand this—between those who argue the matter around the Cabinet table and those who, after leaving the Cabinet, disown the very line that they supported at the time.