HC Deb 09 April 1981 vol 2 cc1109-10
23. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Prime Minister when next she intends to meet the leaders of the Confederation of British Industry.

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

I have no immediate plans to do so.

Mr. Atkinson

Does the Prime Minister accept that when members of the CBI ask her about the 174 bankruptcies each week she cannot try to placate them, as she tries to do the TUC and the 364 economists, by saying that all will be well in the end, because the CBI is saying that the state of British industry is such that when she makes the call for the upturn it will not be in a position to respond?

The Prime Minister

The CBI backs the Government's broad general strategy. Industry will be in a position to respond because it is now reducing over-manning and making itself competitive. That is the best contribution that it can make to Britain.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In discussions with the CBI, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that although it serves purposes of enormous value, its advice to the Government has not always been of totally certain value? In 1971, the CBI devised a scheme that wrecked the financing of nationalised industries for five years. Will she welcome its advice, but treat it with the respect that it deserves?

The Prime Minister

The CBI's advice has not always been wholly dispassionate, but we took its advice recently and gave top priority to reducing interest rates. The CBI fully supports the Government in that priority.

Mr. Cryer

Is the Prime Minister aware that next Saturday there will be a massive TUC demonstration in Bradford, led by the trade union and Labour movement, against the Government's policies, which are creating mass unemployment? The textile industry has modernised and shed jobs, but it is still facing lengthening dole queues because of Government policy. What will she do to restore the industry's confidence?

The Prime Minister

We would have a larger textile industry if more people bought British products. I wish that hon. Members on the Opposition Benches would address themselves to the real reason why our industry is not doing as well as it should, which is that many people buy foreign goods in preference to British goods.