HC Deb 14 April 1980 vol 982 cc787-8
36. Mr. John Evans

asked the Paymaster General if he remains satisfied with media coverage and comment on Government policies.

The Paymaster General (Mr. Angus Maude)

Yes Sir.

Mr. Evans

Is the Paymaster General aware that there appears to be widespread dissatisfaction within the Tory Party about his failure to persuade the media to put a better gloss on his Government's appalling policies? Is he further aware that there appears to be a lot of feeling in the Tory Party that he should be replaced by the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor)?

Mr. Maude

I suspect that I have had more contact recently with members of the Tory Party than the hon. Member has, and I assure him that they are in very good heart. They are confident that the Government's message is coming through loud and clear.

Mr. Adley

Is it not clear that the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Evans) must read one of the newspapers that in the last 12 months have been spreading doom, gloom and despondency? Is he aware that many of us are delighted that, in spite of the prophecies of impending doom that have been made for the past 12 months, we managed to reach Easter without a civil war?

Mr. Maude

My hon. Friend is perfectly right. There is no doubt that recent events, including the reaction to the Budget, have shown quite clearly that the Government's policy message is getting through.