HC Deb 10 March 1977 vol 927 cc1628-30
Q2. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Prime Minister what are his public engagements for 10th March.

Mr. Foot

I have been asked to reply.

Today my right hon. Friend is in Washington for talks with President Carter and senior members of the Administration. In addition, my right hon. Friend will be lunching on Capitol Hill with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House of Representatives International Relations Committee. This evening, he will be the guest of President Carter at a dinner in the White House.

Mr. McCrindle

When the Prime Minister returns will he be able to sort out the differences that appear to have arisen between the Government and Mr. Jack Jones about the Government's prices policy? Will he, in particular, be able to tell Mr. Jones that a statutory price freeze, which Mr. Jones seems to want, would lead to reduced profitability and increased unemployment, and that the gas price increases about which Mr. Jones is getting so excited flow directly from the Government's package of measures following the IMF borrowing?

Mr. Foot

Discussions have already occurred and continuing discussions will take place on the Government's prices policy between the Government and representatives of the General Council of the TUC and others who are concerned. We have not yet completed those discussions, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will return to this country long before they are completed.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Before I call anyone else, I should point out that if an hon. Member argues a case when asking a supplementary question he may deprive another hon. Member of the chance of being called.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

On behalf of the Prime Minister, will the right hon. Gentleman spend a few minutes of his busy day looking into the question of the Royal Navy helicopter pilots and their retirement gratuities? I cannot believe that the Government really intend to go back on their promise. Will the right hon. Gentleman see whether he can clear up this matter?

Mr. Foot

I give the hon. and gallant Gentleman the undertaking for which he asks. Of course we shall examine very carefully what he and others have said on that subject.

Sir David Renton

Could a message be sent to the Prime Minister today reminding him to express to President Carter the appreciation of the British people for the presence of the American Air Force in this country, helping us to defend this country and the rest of the free world?

Mr. Foot

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be able to convey to President Carter all that should be conveyed to him in the interests of this country as a whole. I am sure that he will be doing that throughout the whole day.

Mr. Prior

If the Prime Minister had been here today he would have seen that the Price Commission has said that the proposals for an increase in gas prices are not justified. Will the Lord President comment on that?

Mr. Foot

I always examine any statement by the Price Commission almost as carefully as I examine any statement by the right hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior). I should like to look at both before commenting.

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