§ Q3. Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Prime Minister whether he will attach a summary of Opposition parties' views as an annex to future White Papers on matters of national importance.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI have been asked to reply.
No, Sir.
§ Mr. RentonIf the Government genuinely seek national support for their 1496 anti-inflation proposals, is it not a pity that the annex attached to the White Paper reflected only the TUC's views? Is it not like the barons both writing Magna Carta and then adding their own codicil to it?
§ Mr. ShortNo, Sir, not quite. The annex to the White Paper contains the guidelines which the TUC will operate. It is right and proper that they should be put on record. The hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) has proposed a annex to every White Paper setting out the Opposition's views. If we tried to put that into practice with the anti-inflation White Paper, we should require not one annex but five or six annexes to set out the various views of the Opposition on inflation.
§ Mr. LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that it might be worth while annexing the Opposition's views to future White Papers if they do not inflict their views on us at 4 o'clock every morning?