§ The Prime Minister (Mr. James Callaghan)I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright) on 28th February.
§ Mr. GouldWhen my right hon. Friend meets the TUC will he give its members an account of the meetings that he had with Chancellor Schmidt and President Carter in their efforts to bring the Western economies out of recession? Is it not likely that the TUC will draw an instructive comparison, as will the rest of us, between my right hon. Friend's constructive efforts to grapple with these international problems and the carping, negative and destructive contributions by the right hon. Lady the Leader of the Opposition? In the face of all the problems that confront this country, could we have a leader who is so limited in outlook, background and experience as the right hon. Lady?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen I meet the European TUC I frequently discuss with its members the various attitudes taken by their European colleagues. I am glad to say that there is a considerable degree of agreement between the various trade 1318 union congresses that make up the European TUC that stimulus is needed in international economies. That is my view, too. I think that a collective international effort is needed at present if we are to overcome problems of unemployment.
§ Mr. AdleyIs the Prime Minister aware that most people who care for this country's defence welcomed the Prime Minister's comments the other day on the neutron bomb? Has he discussed the subject with the TUC? If not, will he do so, and seek its support for his view?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BuchananWhen my right hon. Friend visits the TUC, will he ascertain whether its transport policy, agreed at TUC meetings going back many years, is still the same as it was? Will he ask the TUC leaders to use their good offices to try to find a solution to the anarchic situation that exists at the Didcot terminals?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter has been brought to my attention and I have considered whether any action could be taken, but it is not a case in which Government intervention would help. This matter should be resolved by the TUC in conjunction with the unions. I am astonished that Opposition Members, when calling for Government intervention, ask us to butt in on a matter on which we cannot help.
§ Mr. WelshWill the Prime Minister discuss with the TUC the problems of workers in multinational companies now facing redundancies? Will he follow the lead of Keith Bovey, the SNP candidate in the Garscadden by-election, and raise the problem of proposed redundancies in the Goodyear factory in that constituency? Is he aware that these redundancies are taking place in an area with a 20 per cent. male unemployment rate and in a factory flanked by two other recently closed factories?
§ The Prime MinisterSome of these matters were brought to my attention in Scotland last Saturday, particularly regarding one multinational company. Certainly inquiries should be made into the matter. If we are to have a competition on the relative merits of candidates at by-elections, I hope that the hon. 1319 Gentleman will not forget that one candidate who is known to him talked of turning over a yard that is now building warships to undertake the task of building non-existent commercial vessels.