HC Deb 07 February 1977 vol 925 cc1048-9
35. Mr. Canavan

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many official visits he has made to the Duchy of Lancaster since the became Chancellor.

Mr. Lever

Like other Chancellors, I have to carry out the large part of my Duchy responsibilities from London. However, I visited the Yorkshire estates of the Duchy, in my capacity as Chancellor, in 1975. I of course regularly make other visits to the Duchy.

Mr. Canavan

Before my right hon. Friend's next visit to the Duchy, may we look forward to an announcement that the Government will assist the Meriden Co-operative to buy the NVT marketing system? In view of the success of the Meriden Co-operative not just in saving jobs but in extending industrial democracy and in increasing production compared with when it was a private enterprise, will the Government encourage other industrial co-operatives through agencies such as the National Enterprise Board and the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies?

Mr. Lever

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry is and has been continuously in charge of the Meriden operation. My own appearance on that scene was at his express invitation, personally, and within the policy purposes laid down by him. Therefore, if any statement is to be made on the subject, it must be made, rightly, by my right hon. Friend and, who knows, at some time in the not-too-distant future he may catch Mr. Speaker's eye on the subject.

Mr. Grylls

As the Chancellor of the Duchy deals primarily with financial matters, does he agree with the statement by the Governor of the Bank of England that the amount of foreign aid to be repaid by Britain between now and 1985 is about £20 billion?

Mr. Lever

It would be unfair for me to enter into any mathematical disputation on this subject, given the limited time at our disposal. However, I am very happy to discuss it with the hon. Gentleman. I might point out to him that the Governor's statement cannot necessarily be taken to be comprehensive in its direct implications. There are glosses, shades and analyses which could usefully be made on that statement.