NEWCASTLE (Hansard, 21 June 1977)

§ Q3. Mr. Crawford
asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to visit Newcastle.

§ The Prime Minister
I visited Newcastle with President Carter on 6th May I have at present no plans for a further visit.

§ Mr. Crawford
When the Prime Minister next visits Newcastle, will he take the occasion to remind Labour Members there that their vote against the establishment of a Scottish Assembly meant that they were reneging on the Labour Party's General Election pledge to establish such an assembly? In view of the Labour Government's inability to honour their pledges, will the right hon. Gentleman resign, call a General Election, and enable the people of Scotland to say what they think about Scottish Government via a General Election?

§ The Prime Minister
That is a very interesting proposition. In view of the fact that the Conservative Party clearly has no intention of pursuing any Scottish devolution, the hon. Gentleman is correct in assuming that a Labour Government will be returned who will be enabled to put their devolution plans through. I agree with the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. MacFarquhar
Does my right hon. Friend agree that if we are to convince people in various parts of England, and not only those in Newcastle, that devolution for Scotland is not just pandering to nationalism it will be necessary to introduce a vital and productive scheme for devolution to the English regions as well?

§ The Prime Minister
The position of the English regions has been discussed in the Green Paper issued recently, but Government legislation for Scotland will have to be introduced and we shall ask Parliament to pass it on the next occasion.

§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
Wherever the Prime Minister next plans to visit, will he combine business with pleasure and make sure that his visit is part of his General election campaign?

§ The Prime Minister
Having had a fruitful visit to Exeter, where the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell- 1092 Hyslop) was kind enough and courteous enough to receive me and pay tribute to the work I had done, I should be happy to visit his constituency and that of the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam), although on that occasion we would not find ourselves on the same side of the barricades.