HC Deb 09 December 1976 vol 922 cc618-20
Q1. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 9th December.

The Prime Minister (Mr. James Callaghan)

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet. In addition, I shall be holding meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

Mr. Price

Will the Prime Minister find some time in his very busy day to study the vexed question of the Opposition's policy on devolution? Will he give us the latest tally of Opposition spokesmen who have resigned? Some of us find it very difficult to keep up with it. In view of the debate next week, can the Prime Minister tell us which is the official Opposition—that led by the right hon. Member for Sidcup (Mr. Heath) or that led by the right hon. Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher)?

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

We are not impressed.

The Prime Minister

As far as I know, there have been only two resignations from the Opposition Front Bench. At least, the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) and the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) have one thing in common—neither the one who has resigned nor the one who has taken his place is in favour of the official Tory Party policy. I cannot really add to the present knowledge of the House, except to say that I believe that in addition to those who have resigned there are a number of walking wounded still on the Opposition Front Bench.

Mrs. Thatcher

Is the Prime Minister trying to deflect attention from one of his more important duties, namely, the repaying of the loan that he borrowed six months ago, which is due to be paid back today? Will he confirm that the loan has been repaid on time? Will he tell us exactly how much of the standby credit was used and paid, and the source of the repayment.

The Prime Minister

Yes. The right hon. Lady will be rather disappointed to hear that the loan is being repaid exactly on time. It will, of course, be taken from reserves and replaced in due course by the IMF loan on a longer-term basis. As to the other matters which the right hon. Lady has raised, these figures will be published in due course.

Mrs. Thatcher

That is not good enough. The Prime Minister says that the loan has been repaid, but how much was it?

The Prime Minister

That figure will be published in due course, and once again I think that the right hon. Lady will be disappointed to find that it is smaller than she hopes.

Mr. Grimond

Getting back to the subject of devolution, as the Prime Minister has a comparatively light day will he send an answer to the Shetland Islands Council in response to its excellent letter on this subject? Will he let us know what his answer will be? [Interruption.]

The Prime Minister

In reply to shouted comments from the Opposition that I should know the figure for the loan, of course I know it. But I am afraid that hon. Members opposite will have to contain their impatience. I always thought that there was a tradition of individual hon. Members asking questions, and not a Greek chorus. Of course they would much prefer it to be a Greek tragedy.— [Interruption.] In reply to seated supplementary questions, there are fixed dates for publishing this kind of information. These dates will be adhered to, and hon. Members should know that those are not the sort of questions which are likely to prompt an answer.

I note what the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) says about the letter. I am considering an appropriate reply.

Mr. Bryan Davies

Since the Opposition do not want to discuss devolution today, will the Prime Minister fit into his engagements an opportunity to chat with Lord Goodman and ask him how he can define Eton College as a beneficiary of charitable status?

The Prime Minister

I was not really thinking of discussing this matter with Lord Goodman, because there are many other issues, especially on devolution, which engage my attention at present. However, I know that the question of devolution, which will engage the House for some time, can be added as one more policy on which the Opposition are completely at sixes and sevens.