§ Q2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Fife early in 1979.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to visit Fife.
§ Mr. HamiltonFailing such a visit, will my right hon. Friend confer with the Secretary of State for Scotland about the inordinate delay in coming to a favourable decision in respect of getting on with the £200 million petrochemical complex at Mossmorran? Is he aware that all three Labour-controlled local authorities and the three local Labour Members of Parliament involved are desperately concerned to get this project going in view of the fact that male unemployment in that area has been chronically above 20 per cent. for a long time?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of the problems at Mossmorran. Indeed, they have concerned us very much, because the economic significance of the proposals is fully appreciated for employment in that area. Unfortunately, very complex safety difficulties have arisen and my right hon. Friend, with whom I have had discussions on this, is most anxious to proceed. But I do not think it is fair to ask him to do so until these safety difficulties have been resolved. I know that he is waiting for further advice on the matter. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government want to press on as soon as these difficulties are removed.
§ Mr. RifkindWhen the Prime Minister is considering a visit to Fife, will he recollect that certain of his predecessors, such as Mr. Asquith, represented Fife constituencies? However, can he recollect a single predecessor who would not have immediately tendered his resignation when his economic policy had been rejected by both party and Parliament?
§ The Prime MinisterI suggest that we wait and see how the House votes tonight 904 —[An HON. MEMBER: "Wait and see.] "Wait and see ", is a very good motto in this connection. Let us abide by the verdict of the House of Commons at the end of the day. I am fully ready to.