§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. DykesShould not the Prime Minister come to Harrow to explain to my constituents just how much encouragement is being given to forces opposed to this country by his talk about NATO and his party inviting dubious characters from the Soviet Union?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall leave it to the hon. Gentleman to do that.
§ Mr. AtkinsonWill my right hon. Friend reconsider the answer in which he suggested that in the Queen's Speech in the next Session there will be an item about workers' democracy? Can he assure the House that once the Bullock Report is published trade unions will have adequate time for consultations before the Government set out on a Companies (No. 3) Bill to restructure management in industry, deal with the whole subject of worker directors and the whole business of moving towards a German concept of industrial democracy?
§ The Prime MinisterAdequate consultation about industrial democracy is important. I hope that when the Bullock Committee reports it will enable us to focus our discussion and that we shall be able to proceed to action in due course.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMay I return to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Horncastle (Mr. Tapsell)? The Prime Minister will be aware that he made some very serious statements on television last night. May I ask him a straight question? Was he serious when he threatened to pull our troops out of NATO if he did not get more of other countries' money on his own terms?
§ The Prime MinisterIf that is the right hon. Lady's idea of a straight question, I should like to know when she asks a crooked one. I suggest that the right hon. Lady reads the Question. I was dealing with an important matter that does not often appeal to the Opposition, namely, the fact that this country has a position of very great influence and importance in Europe. Because of this and because of the strength and stability that we give to central Europe through the important contribution of the British Army of the Rhine, attempts to disrupt the sterling system—or, indeed, our rate—and the consequences of such attempts or other adventitious factors due to the overhang of the sterling balances can lead to this country's influence being weakened.
The Federal Republic has reserves of $35 billion to $40 billion and more. If the Opposition wish to preserve Britain's political influence, which they very much value—and this is not a cheap party point but a very important issue—they should have regard to it in relation to the overhang of the sterling balances. It could be that the deutschemark value of sterling is heavily depreciated because of these factors. If the right hon. Lady reads the Question and Answer she will see that I was discussing how Britain's influence in central Europe can be maintained, not removed.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Prime Minister was not maintaining Britain's influence; he was degrading the whole of Britain's standing in the world. He not only debauched the currency but debased Britain. So long as he is there, the country's only prospect is debt and decay, and the best thing he can do is to go.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not sure how long it took the right hon. Lady to think that out, but, despite her tenacious attempt to gain power, I promise that I shall be here with this Government for a very long time.