HC Deb 24 July 1979 vol 971 c341
Q1. Mr. Sever

asked the Prime Minister when she expects next to visit Lady-wood.

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

I have no plans to do so, but I visited Birmingham last Friday.

Mr. Sever

Does the right hon. Lady agree that when she visited Birmingham on Friday it would have been in the better interests of the city if she had had consultations with public representatives, community leaders and others who are desperately concerned about the future of Birmingham's inner city partnership scheme, rather than swanning around presenting awards to press men and photographers?

The Prime Minister

I happen to think that the press is a rather important part of a free society. I was pleased that the Lord Mayor of Birmingham was there, too.