HC Deb 25 March 1980 vol 981 cc1170-2
Q5. Mr. Wigley

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the progress of the Government's legislative programme as announced in the Gracious Speech.

Sir Keith Joseph

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that reasonable progress is being made.

Mr. Wigley

Is the right hon. Gentleman not amazed by that statement, in view of the disastrous effects over the last 12 months resulting from the legislative programme? Has not the time now come to abandon the theory underlying the legislative programme in the last Queen's Speech, and particularly to abandon the idea that men can be starved back to work by refusing them social security benefits? Is not this the time to reconsider the Government's whole attil ude towards creating employment?

Sir K. Joseph

The hon. Member has brought together three different strands. The answer to his general question is "No". We believe that our policy is the only policy that can achieve the underlying purposes of both sides of the House, namely, a higher standard of living, more employment and better public benefits from the social services. We do not believe that it is right at present for the trade unions to count on the taxpayers to support the families of their strikers. We believe that the vast majority of people in this country agree with what we propose to do.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Will my right hon. Friend agree that one of the major planks in the Gracious Speech was the objective of a genuine reduction in public expenditure? Will he agree that, in order to achieve this objective, we must reduce substantially our net contribution to the EEC budget? Will he give an assurance that, unless we can achieve that objective, we shall review our present position, bearing in mind that our membership of Europe prevents us from taking decisions that are in the best interests of the United Kingdom?.

Sir K. Joseph

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is an unqualified "Yes". On the second part we very much hope that the Heads of Government will understand the equity and force of our claim.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Minister accept that in the Employment Bill currently before the House there is a clause which requires an 80 per cent. vote for a closed shop? Has the Minister seen the Bill that I introduced to the House—which was not opposed by anyone—which requires that persons living in the area of the proposed cruise missile sites should have the opportunity to vote 80 per cent. in favour of the missiles before they are installed? Do the Government intend to apply the same principle and allow that Bill to go through as part of our legislative programme?

Sir K. Joseph

No. It has always been the practice of Governments of both parties that defence decisions should be taken by the Government of the day, even though the Labour Government occasion- ally hid crucial decisions from the people of this country.

Mr. Shore

Referring to the Government's programme in relation to the EEC budget, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware, in spite of the ivory tower which he normally inhabits, that last night the House was subjected to what can only be described as a very deceitful, and indeed cowardly, course of action? Is he aware that this document was wholly relevant to last night's debate, was about the extent to which this country will continue to pay into the EEC, should have been laid before the House but was deliberately withheld with the result that the vote last night was cast upon totally inadequate evidence? Will he make sure that his hon. Friend comes to the House and makes a forthright statement about this matter.

Sir K. Joseph

First, the document itself is a useful contribution and can form the basis of Ministers' discussion. Secondly, I take seriously what the right hon. Gentleman says; but I also believe completely in the integrity of my hon. Friend who is, on all occasions, a vivid and vigorous speaker.