HC Deb 07 February 1977 vol 925 cc1045-7
33. Mr. Rost

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list his engagements for 7th February.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Harold Lever)

Apart from my duties in this House, I have meetings today with ministerial colleagues and others; in addition, I am being interviewed on television this evening.

Mr. Rost

As the Chancellor's only important duty would appear to be to answer Questions in the House, will he tell us whether it was his idea to sell the Government's 20 per cent. stake in BP as part of the IMF contract? Will he confirm that it is still the Government's intention to go ahead with that agreement? If it is not, does he intend to resign?

Mr. Lever

The hon. Gentleman must know that this is a place where we discuss not ideas of the Government but decisions of the Government. This was a collective decision of the Government and it remains their intention to go ahead with the sale.

Mr. Skinner

Does my right hon. Friend know of the recent reports that have been circulating to the effect that the Secretary of State for Energy is now talking in terms—privately, perhaps—of not selling off the 20 per cent. stake in BP? As we are supposed to be moving into a much rosier economic situation—that is what we are told—does my right hon. Friend agree with what the Secretary of State for Energy is privately suggesting?

Mr. Lever

Obviously my hon. Friend has a closer relation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and his private confidences on this matter than I have. My right hon. Friend has not discussed this with me. It would be foolish to treat this as some fundamental plank of the covenant—namely, whether we should sell it off. Although this was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as our intention, it is not completely irrevocable. It is a matter that can be considered and discussed. The question would be better directed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Hal Miller

Will the right hon. Gentleman find time today to talk to the shop stewards and other employees of the Small Heath and Wolverhampton works of the Norton motor cycle factory and explain to them whether he will come in on his charger to provide funds and expertise to rescue them from the damage imposed on them by the support given to the experiment at the co-operative at Meriden?

Mr. Lever

I do not undertake to maintain the close, continuous and intimate contact with grass-roots shop steward activity that the hon. Gentleman evinces by his question. I am not sure where it is and whether those concerned wish to see me. If they do wish to see me—and without any question, like any other citizen, they have their channel for doing so—I suspect that it will not be the hon. Gentleman who will be the agency for bringing that about.

Mr. Heffer

I understand that, like myself, my right hon. Friend will be addressing tomorrow's International Bankers Conference. I do not know why I am addressing the conference. I shall be defending and supporting the Labour Party's policy of public ownership of the three major clearing banks and the seven major insurance companies. Will my right hon. Friend indicate whether he will be giving me support on that matter in his speech?

Mr. Lever

I am as reluctant to anticipate tomorrow's speech to the bankers as the Chancellor of the Exchequer is reluctant to anticipate his Budget Statement. It is reassuring to me, as well as enjoyable, to find myself in such reputable company as that of my hon. Friend. I must tell him, however, that he is unlikely to find any enthusiasm evinced by me on the subject of nationalising the banks that would be regarded as being closely in harmony with the views that have been expressed by the National Executive. In all my speeches I shall do my best to maintain collective responsibility for defending Government policy on this and all other issues.

Mr. Hal Miller

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. Gentleman mind waiting until after Questions? That will not be long now.

Later—

Mr. Hal Miller

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you explain to me what protection I have against the vulgar ignorance of the Chancellor of the Duchy, who imputed that representations would not be put to him through me? Two Wolverhampton shop stewards, who are my constituents, rang me up about this matter.

Mr. Lever

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the hon. Gentleman did not imagine that I was saying that representations could not in any circumstances come through him. I said that if they wanted to see me, probably they would find a more direct and convenient agency than himself.

Mr. Hal Miller

I attempt to represent my constituents—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. Everyone knows that we all represent everyone in our constituencies.