§ Q1. Mr. Rentonasked the Prime Minister whether she has had any recent consultations with the National Economic Development Council about the Government's economic strategy.
§ The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)I took the chair at the NEDC on 4 February. Three items were discussed: industrial trends, overseas capital projects and a report on the diesel engines industry.
§ Mr. RentonHow can trade union leaders expect to be taken seriously as partners in discussing Britain's economic future if they refuse to attend tomorrow's NEDC meeting because of the Civil Service picket line? Will my right hon. Friend impress on the six senior trade union representatives the folly of such action? Will she ensure that the meeting takes place in any event?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that the trade union representatives on the NEDC have said that they will not attend tomorrow's meeting because they do not wish to cross the Civil Service picket line. Nevertheless, the meeting will go ahead. I very much regret that there will not be trade union representation there, as there are such important matters on the agenda as industrial energy pricing and regional industrial issues.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the Prime Minister aware that one reason why the trade union leaders will not cross the picket 148 line that is part of the Civil Service pay dispute is that in her election campaign she told civil servants, half of whom receive less than the average wage, and many of whom receive wages below the poverty wage line, that if they voted for free collective bargaining, Mrs. Thatcher and the rest they would be able to get all the wages possible in line with those paid to people engaging in free collective bargaining outside the Civil Service?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. It is very unfair to other hon. Members who wish to ask questions——
§ Mr. SkinnerI have nearly finished.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman had better nearly finish quickly.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the right hon. Lady aware that civil servants are asking her and the rest of her tawdry rotten Government to carry out their mandate? That is all that they are asking. That is why there are picket lines. and that is why——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman might reflect on the fact that since his Government were in power civil servants——
§ Mr. SkinnerThat is nothing to do with it.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I must tell the hon. Gentleman that it is not only bad parliamentary manners, but sheer bad manners to keep shouting while others are trying to speak in the Chamber. He should try to control himself.
§ Mr. BrothertonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Perhaps the hon. Member will leave his helpful point of order until the end of Question Time.
§ The Prime MinisterSince the Government of the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) were in power civil servants have been awarded pay increases of 50 per cent. over the last two years, on top of which they have been offered another 7 per cent., which most of us believe is a good deal for those in the public sector. Many in the private sector would wish to have those levels of pay.
§ Later——
§ Mr. BrothertonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. At the start of Prime Minister's questions you had cause to remonstrate with the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner). From a sedentary position the hon. Member addressed a highly offensive remark to you. My point of order is to ask whether it would be in order for you now to ask the hon. Member to withdraw that remark, without having to repeat it in the House——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. There are times when am mercifully spared from hearing what is said by the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner). I did not hear the remark.
§ Mr. SkinnerMy hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) did.
§ Mr. SpeakerIn that case, perhaps there is better hearing on the other side of the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am content to leave the matter where it is.