§ Q4. Miss Wrightasked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Handsworth.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Miss WrightIn that case, will the right hon. Lady ask her right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and for Employment to brief her on the disastrous consequences to inner city areas such as Handsworth of the massive decline in industrial production during the past 12 months, and on the consequent heavy unemployment, particularly among young people? Will she also indicate when she intends to give some relief to the many small firms in the West Midlands which are being driven rapidly towards bankruptcy by high interest rates and an over-valued pound? If she does not intend to provide relief, what future does she envisage for the thousands of young people who will join the dole queue this month?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a certain amount of relief to small firms in the Budget. We shall not keep interest rates high for one moment longer than we deem prudent in the interests of the control of money 1303 supply. With regard to unemployment and opportunities for the young, there are about 250,000 opportunities provided by the youth opportunities employment programme this year. With regard to the problems of inner cities, I am trying to get increased production. The hon. Lady will be well aware that one of the problems in this country is the extent of import penetration. People choose to buy foreign goods. They will choose to buy British goods when they are more competitive.
Mr. James CallaghanIf the right hon. Lady wishes to restore confidence among small businesses in this country, is she not aware that the best thing she could do would be to dismiss the Secretary of State for Industry forthwith?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. There is no one of greater integrity in this House.