HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc517-8
22. Mr. Marlow

asked the Paymaster-General if he will introduce new measures to publicise the Government's programme.

Mr. Pym

I have no plans to do so at present. But Ministers ensure that information about all aspects of policy for which they are responsible is widely available.

Mr. Marlow

As other means are available to provide the necessary support to our farmers, will my right hon. Friend take great pains to reassert the commitment that we gave to the British people on 3 May 1979 that we would not allow price increases for agricultural products in structural surplus? In this way we would be in a much stronger position this summer to bring about reforms in the European Community.

Mr. Pym

The Government are keen for reforms to be made in the CAP. The question should be put to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Mr. John Silkin

Is the Paymaster General aware that he is right not to introduce new measures to publicise the Government's programme, since the Opposition will do it for them, particularly between now and the local elections?

Mr. Adley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that membership of the Christchurch and Lymington Conservative Association has risen to 11,700? Is he further aware that the Prime Minister is held in high regard in my constituency? Does he accept that, however important short-term propaganda may be, long-term results are needed from the Government?

Mr. Pym

My hon. Friend is a great publicity expert.

Mr. Jay

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, whatever might happen in Lymington, in the country as a whole the more that the public know about the Government's programmes the more they are against them?

Mr. Pym

The right hon. Gentleman is mistaken.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Has my right hon. Friend seen the collection of twisted statistics, bogus attacks and highly eccentric opinions which filled £10,000-worth of space in The Guardian on Friday? Since the Government's policy is to play an active part in the European Community, will he ensure that the benefits of the Community and the CAP, which ensure a steady supply of food and a reasonable standard of living for our farmers, are brought home to the British people?

Mr. Pym

Yes. My right hon. and hon. Friends make speeches on the subject from time to time. There is no doubt that if we were not members of the EEC our situation would be a great deal worse than it is.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will the right hon. Gentleman give maximum publicity to the fact that in the International Year of Disabled People the Government have seen fit to impose a moratorium on the provision of 10 houses for tenants in wheelchairs in Glenrothes new town?

Mr. Pym

The Government have taken a number of measures and have tried to help as far as they possibly can in this International Year of Disabled People. As the hon. Gentleman knows, within our own premises, through the Services Committee, we are considering what further arrangements we can make.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

As it is the Minister, or some of his information officers, who are responsible for the very large blue notices now appearing on motorways, with the indication that they are a gift from the funds of the European Community, will he agree that it would be more balanced to state at the foot of the notices the simple fact that every £1 received costs the British taxpayer £2?

Mr. Pym

I do not think that that is any part of my responsibility.