HC Deb 24 July 1979 vol 971 cc346-8
Q4. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the progress of the all-party talks on new constitutional proposals for Scotland.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has had preliminary discussions about all-party talks with those parties represented in Scotland and hopes to put proposals about terms of reference to those concerned in the autumn.

Mr. Dalyell

Which member of the Cabinet will be in charge of the talks on the Government side?

The Prime Minister

The Leader of the House will be in charge, as he has been in charge of the all-party consultations.

Mr. McQuarrie

When the talks reach an appropriate stage, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a considerable desire among the people of Scotland to listen to these talks in public? Will she take steps to ensure that they are so held? May we also make use of the buildings and grounds on which the crowd on the other side spent so many millions of pounds?

The Prime Minister

I think that there might be an occasion for due reticence on this matter when the talks begin. But we hope to establish a Select Committee on Scottish affairs when we return from the recess.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Will the right hon. Lady accept that any talks she may have in Scotland will be most unwelcome, given that she has now reneged entirely on the dispersal of Civil Service jobs? How can we trust the Government in any way at all?

The Prime Minister

I hope that there will be a statement later in the week on on the dispersal of jobs. [Interruption.] What is on the tapes is not always accurate.

Mr. Winnick

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I apologise for the fact that I did not give you warning of my intended point of order, but I was not to know what was to occur during exchanges at Question Time. As you may know, the press is full of reports that the Government have agreed to spending cuts in the region of £4,000 million. It was reported in The Daily Telegraph today that The Cabinet did not feel that the situation justified making a statement to MPs before the Commons rises on Friday for the Summer Recess. These cuts—if it is true that they are to be made—will affect adversely many of our constituents, and will undoubtedly cause a great deal of hardship. We are going into recess until late October. A number of people will obviously be given details of what is proposed, but not this House. I believe—hence my point of order—that the House is being treated with contempt by the Government in sending us away until late October without giving us details of what is being proposed.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for me but it is something that could be raised in the debate when we discuss the length of the Adjournment.

Mr. Winnick

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. If I may—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It was not a point of order. If the hon. Gentleman has something entirely different to say, I shall listen to him, but that was not a point of order.

Mr. Winnick

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I should like to make my point as briefly as I can, because I believe it to be of great importance. It is that on a matter which concerns our constituents, we are not to be given the information before we break up for the Summer Recess.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order for me, as the House understands.