HC Deb 23 June 1980 vol 987 cc24-7
43. Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the effects of the Government publicity organisation.

The Paymaster General (Mr. Angus Maude)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Atkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, today of all days, when the CBI has announced that there is quite a slump among many of its members, the case for high interest rates does not seem to be getting across to many business men? Does not he agree that a Government broadcast as good as the party political broadcast put across last week might go some way towards helping?

Mr. Maude

I do not think that this is an occasion for a ministerial broadcast. I think that most people in industry and elsewhere are well aware that market conditions rather than the Government determine interest rates.

Mr. Winnick

Was it on the advice of the right hon. Gentleman that it has been decided not to hold the special one-day Cabinet meeting next month? Does the right hon. Gentleman really believe that he is earning his salary, in view of the total failure of the Government, as well as the failure, inevitably, of their propaganda exercises?

Mr. Maude

I do not know where the hon. Gentleman got the idea that there was a fixed Cabinet meeting on the day that he suggests. There was no official announcement of it whatever. Secondly, I am satisfied that the message as to the reasons for the Government's actions and policy is getting across to the public, as the hon. Gentleman will soon discover.

Mr. Foot

Talking of Government publicity organisations—a matter referred to in the question—has the right hon. Gentleman any comment to make on the rumour that he is to be appointed to a post at the BBC? Does he intend to run the two Government publicity organisations at the same time?

Mr. Maude

I have seen a certain amount of ill-informed speculation in certain organs of the press. I have no knowledge whatever of this. It is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary.

Mr. Foot

May we take it that that is a load off all our minds—including that of the right hon. Lady—and that there is no possibility of this appalling appointment taking place? We are very gratified that the right hon. Gentleman should have made the announcement with his customary modesty.

Mr. Maude

Whether the right hon. Gentleman is relieved or not must depend entirely on which appointment he would rather I held.

44. Mr. Canavan

asked the Paymaster General whether he is satisfied with coordination between the various Government information services in publicising Government achievements since May 1979.

Mr. Maude

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Canavan

Does the Paymaster General remember issuing a press statement during the election campaign in April last year, claiming that the Labour Party was telling 12 lies about the Tory Party? In view of the fact that virtually all these so-called lies have now turned out to be bitter truths, will the Paymaster General now issue another press statement telling the people the truth—that the Government have more than doubled the rate of inflation, have increased unemployment to over 1½ million, and are clobbering the sick and the disabled with a fivefold increase in prescription charges?

Mr. Maude

If the hon. Member will go back and look at the statements which were issued by his party on these things during the election, and at the statement which I issued, he will find that everything I said was true.

Mr. Adley

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the best possible thing for the Government's propaganda effort is for people to see more of the Opposition? Will he therefore encourage the Opposition to hold as many rallies, public displays and marches as they possibly can, so that the people of this country can see the only ghastly alternative that awaits them?

Mr. Maude

I take my hon. Friend's point, but I do not share his sadistic instincts.

Mr. Foot

On the right hon. Gentleman's claim that what was said about the alleged lies during the election has been vindicated, will he be good enough to place in the Library the newspaper containing those 12 comments with his personal comments on what the Government have done in each matter? We shall then be able to see whether his brave words today are justified.

Mr. Maude

I shall certainly consider that carefully.