HC Deb 06 April 1978 vol 947 cc632-4
Q3. Mr. Cartwright

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 6th April.

The Prime Minister

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and I shall be holding further meetings with ministerial colleagues. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be meeting Dr. Waldheim, the Secretary General of the United Nations. This evening I hope to have an Audience of Her Majesty The Queen.

Mr. Cartwright

Will my right hon. Friend give high priority to securing an expansion of world trade through a concerted and planned reflation in the industrialised economies of the West? Does he agree that that is a much more sensible solution to our economic problems than the sort of high profit/low tax panacea offered by the Leader of the Opposition?

The Prime Minister

The expansion of world trade is one of the major factors that is concerning the leaders of the industrialised world at present—as to how far it can be stimulated and what part various countries can play in it. In my view there will undoubtedly be growth in the world economy this year. This is of very great importance to Britain because about 21 per cent. of our gross national product is represented by foreign trade. Therefore, if other countries are not growing economically our prospects for exports are to that extent diminished, and we want them improved.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Will the Prime Minister take time off today to examine the disgraceful episode that occurred on Monday of this week when a group of 20 managing directors and trade unionists, representing the knitwear industry in Scotland, attended a meeting in Glasgow which was not attended by two senior civil servants, who gave as their excuse for not turning up the fact that they did not know that there was a train service between London and Glasgow which took only five hours? In view of their ignorance and the fact that the Government have failed to provide employment in Scotland to merit the needs of the Scottish people, will the Prime Minister promote an amendment to the Scotland Bill to provide that economic and industrial powers are put into the hands of the Scottish Assembly?

The Prime Minister

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will look into these complaints if, indeed, they are realistic, and will give the hon. Gentleman an answer in due course. I do not propose to investigate it myself.

Mr. Hooley

In his conversation with Dr. Waldheim, will my right hon. Friend make it clear that this country could not tolerate any attempt by the Israelis in South Lebanon which might prevent the 100,000 refugees who have been driven out of that part of the world from returning to their homes and taking up their shattered lives?

The Prime Minister

I hope to have discussions with Dr. Waldheim about the position of the United Nations force in the Lebanon, and I shall certainly represent to him the need to ensure as far as possible that there is no contact between the PLO and the guerrillas and the Israeli border. It is important that there should be a clear separation. From then on, I hope that negotiations will be resumed quickly between Egypt and Israel.