§ Q1. Mr. McCrindleasked the Prime Minister what are his public engagements for 21st July.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. James Callaghan)This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be holding further meetings with ministerial colleagues and others including one with the President of the European Commission and one with a delegation from the Young Socialists of the Social Democratic Party of the Federal German Republic.
§ Mr. McCrindleWith the CBI today accusing the Government of opting out and a leading Liberal describing the new wages policy as a massive retreat, will the Prime Minister remind the House and the country what remains of that special relationship between the trade unions and the Labour Party that we were told in 1974 was indispensable to the prosperity of the country?
§ The Prime MinisterThe return to free collective bargaining is a decision of the trade union movement. In a democracy such as ours it is not a matter the Government can control. But a very close relationship will continue to exist. I refer the hon. Gentleman to what I said on this matter yesterday.
§ Q3. Mr. Canavanasked the Prime Minister what are his official engagements for 21st July.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle).
§ Mr. CanavanIn view of today'sDaily Telegraph description of the Leader of the Opposition as a mixture between Oscar Wilde and the Red Army Choir, would my right hon. Friend care to comment on her statement yesterday that wage differentials for the higher-paid within the public sector should be met within strict cash limits? As this appears to mean that within the Health Service, for example, the Tory Party would like to meet the wage demands of the overpaid consultants out of the 1843 pockets of the nurses and other Health Service workers, and possibly also at the expense of the health and even the lives of patients, would it not be more appropriate for theDaily Telegraphto describe the right hon. Lady tomorrow as surpassing even Lady Macbeth for sheer bloody ruthlessness?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not surprised that my hon. Friend has to put his own construction and interpretation on the speech to which we listened yesterday. I congratulate the right hon. Lady on her style. If only the content had matched it, we should know a lot more about Tory policy.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle).
§ Mr. LuceAs the unemployment figures are likely to reach 11 million very shortly, will the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government have continually refused to remove the legislative and taxation obstacles to the expansion of small busineses, which would have the result of creating more wealth and jobs and increasing productive employment? What are the Government waiting for?
§ The Prime MinisterIt would be helpful if these Questions were put down in detail, as I should then be able to provide hon. Members with answers. I have not been transferring substantive Questions. In so far as my recollection serves me, the hon. Gentleman is mistaken. Worthwhile reliefs were given to the small business man in the last Budget. I believe that the tax exemption limit was increased substantially. A number of measures have been introduced. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a detailed Question to the Department of Industry he will get a proper reply.
§ Q11. Mr. Skinnerasked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st July.
§ The Prime MinisterI must give my hon. Friend the reply that I have given so many times. I refer him to the reply 1844 that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle).
§ Mr. SkinnerWill my right hon. Friend take time out to consider Lord Denning's judgment of 24th May of this year, which will seriously affect the common law damages of those involved in trade unions and work generally who have been injured at work? Is he aware that since that date awards under the Administration of Justice Act, passed by the previous Labour Government in 1969, which allocated interest according to the damages that were paid to various persons both on personal injury and death, have been removed by Lord Denning's judgment? It will remove between 10 per cent. and 15 per cent. of the total amount of damages payable to workers. Will my right hon. Friend take time to consider the judgment and to ensure that it is reversed?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend has raised an important matter. I shall look into it and communicate with him in due course.