HC Deb 08 December 1980 vol 995 c622
39. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Paymaster General when he intends next to meet the press to explain the economic and social policies of the Government.

Mr. Maude

In addition to meetings with individual journalists, I make frequent visits to the regions, where I take every opportunity to meet editors and representatives of the media.

Mr. Price

Does not the Paymaster General consider that a strong, simple message is necessary to get over the Government's economic and social policies to the country? Will he consider reproducing that poster showing the long queue of unemployed people, but leaving out the word "Labour" from the sentence "Labour isn't working", and inserting the words "The Thatcher Government"?

Mr. Maude

The poster to which the hon. Gentleman refers was issued by the Conservative Central Office, for which I have no responsibility.

Mr. Adley

As the Leader of the Opposition is in his place, would my right hon. Friend like to take this opportunity to thank him and all his colleagues for making the Government's job so much easier?

Mr. Maude

It is not very Christian to rub salt into wounds. I should have thought that the message was obvious.