§ The Prime MinisterThis morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be holding further meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one with the staff side of the National Whitley Council.
§ Mr. DykesIn view of the continued delay and the refusal of the Government to give a statement today instead of tomorrow—which is extremely inconvenient to the House—will the Prime Minister say which of the Ministers with whom he will discuss these matters this afternoon will be in favour of wage increases above 10 per cent. next year and which of them will be in favour of a maximum of 10 per cent?
§ The Prime MinisterI suggest that the hon. Gentleman waits until tomorrow. I 781 do not see why it should be inconvenient to travel on the Tube from Harrow tomorrow morning to hear an important statement.
§ Mr. John EllisWill the Prime Minister find time during his onerous duties today to drop a note of congratulation to the British Steel Corporation, which has been selected to provide technical know-how for a new plant in Venezuela? If the Prime Minister does that, will he add a postscript to say that, while the British Steel Corporation is doing that, it should also invest to increase iron-making capacity at Scunthorpe, because there is no doubt that ever-increasing quantities can be made there?
§ The Prime MinisterWriting such a letter would be a relief from some of my other duties. I am sure that the House will also be pleased to learn that the British Steel Corporation has landed a valuable management contract in Venezuela to build a new steel plant that will ultimately have a capacity of about 5 million tons. This is an example of a matter raised at our recent conference on industrial strategy, namely, that nationalised industries are moving into overseas work in conjunction with other firms in order that turnkey projects and other projects can be put together on a scale that would be beyond the competence of any individual firm. I hope that everybody will encourage this.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-FowlerWhat further discussions will the Prime Minister have today with his colleagues concerning a settlement in Rhodesia? Will he confirm or deny the report in The Guardian today that the Government could not conceive of British Forces taking part in any peacekeeping force during an interim period of government prior to a settlement in Rhodesia?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not propose to comment on any newspaper report on these matters. We shall not have a Cabinet discussion on Rhodesia today, but the Foreign Secretary follows this matter continuously day by day and is in close touch with the American Secretary of State and the front-line Presidents.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisWhen the Prime Minister has discussions later today, will he consider further explaining his opinion about wages control and why the Govern- 782 ment insist upon a 12-month period between wage increases? It was announced today that Whitbread was increasing the price of beer by one penny and that when the company was accused of doing this before price control was introduced it emphasised that it did this every three months. Will my right hon. Friend try to do something about controlling prices, if not every three months, at least once a year?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be glad if my hon. Friend would put that question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection. There are regulations and I hope that the brewers are adhering to them. If not, I am sure that the Secretary of State will follow up the matter.
§ Mr. AmeryWill the Prime Minister take this opportunity of welcoming the return to Rhodesia of Mr. Sithole, and will he make clear that if agreement can be reached between the Rhodesian regime and representatives of the African majority in Rhodesia the Government will not allow objections of the so-called Patriotic Front to stand in the way of our endorsing it?
§ The Prime MinisterIt would be a little dangerous to do that because it would involve a deliberate choosing of sides by the Government. The Africans will have to choose their own leaders. I hope that everyone appreciates that. I am happy to see the return of the Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole, and I should also be happy to see the return of Mr. Nkomo and Mr. Mugabe. It is not for the House to try to decide on one group in this matter.