§ The Prime MinisterI met representatives of the TUC and CBI when I took the chair at a meeting of the NEDC on 1st February. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary.
§ Mr. NobleWhen my right hon. Friend next meets the TUC and the CBI will he remind them that the scale of tax cuts proposed by the Opposition could be achieved only through cuts in public expenditure, which would be damaging to industry, to the regions and particularly to the lower-paid? Will he also remind them that their chances of consultation on these matters would be very remote if the Opposition were in power, in view of the fact that the former Shadow Foreign Secretary has indicated that the Leader of the Opposition refused to consult him on foreign affairs? Is that not indicative of the contempt in which she holds everyone who happens to disagree with her?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not wish to comment on the internal relationships on the Conservative Front Bench, past or present. There are too many painful sores there.
On the general position, the country will have to make up its mind how far it believes that cuts in taxation, which would have a damaging effect on employment throughout the country, would be worth while. We take the view that if there is a choice betwen tax cuts for the better-off and jobs for those who are out of work, we choose the second.
§ Mr. CormackBefore the Prime Minister next meets the TUC and CBI will he reflect that it is now nine years since 1570 he sabotaged "In Place of Strife"? In those nine years the purchasing power of the pound has fallen by 65p and there are another 800,000 people out of work. Does he think that the price that the country has had to pay for him as leader is worth it?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the last part of the question is definitely "Yes".
§ Q3. Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the TUC and CBI.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Noble).
§ Mr. WrigglesworthWill the Prime Minister discuss with the TUC and the CBI the development of the Government's regional policies? In the Northern Region we have once again the highest level of unemployment in the country, excluding Northern Ireland. Is he aware that on Teesside, despite the highest levels of investment and productivity, there is still severe unemployment? Will he consider carefully the suggestion of the Cleveland County Council and the North of England Development Corporation for the introduction of selective assistance to employment intensive industries and for help to service industries in the northern area?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that the North-East has suffered particularly, because of the structural decline in industries such as coal, steel and shipbuilding. Opportunities for the expansion of service industries should be considered. I believe that the Minister of State, Department of Industry met the Cleveland County Council recently, and he has written the council a long reply in response to its representation. Perhaps I could ask my hon. Friend to study that reply.
§ Mr. GowWhen the Prime Minister next meets the TUC will he remind trade union leaders of his own words when he said that he would find it "intolerable and not at all acceptable" that people should lose their jobs because of their political opinions? How does he reconcile that advice with the dismissal by British Rail, without compensation, of 42 1571 employees, two of whom have 39 years of faultless service?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of this. Is the hon. Member referring to new dismissals, or is this an old issue?
§ Mr. GowForty employees who had been employed when the closed shop came in were dismissed, and two were dismissed when they resigned from the union after the closed shop agreement came in.
§ The Prime MinisterThis issue has been debated on numerous occasions. It does not alter my general view that people should not be dismissed for their political opinions. However, I am not going into a particular dispute on this matter, any more than I shall do on any others.