HC Deb 08 February 1982 vol 17 cc732-4
32. Mr. Renton

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to ensure that better publicity is given to the progress of the Government's policies.

34. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council what recent steps have been taken to improve the public presentation of Her Majesty's Government's policies.

35. Mr. Murphy

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to ensure that more effective publicity is given to the progress of the Government's policies.

Mr. Pym

There is, I hope, a continuous process of improvement, in which all Government Ministers are engaged.

Mr. Renton

Is not one of my right hon. Friend's problems that the media are constantly examining the entrails in search of a misplaced organ? Does he agree that there is a clear case for a stronger, central effort to put over the successes of the Government's policy—for example, the gains in productivity, the increase in export orders and the new training initiatives?

Mr. Pym

All these facts are presented to the public. They are at times criticised and certainly commented upon. I do not think that I can remember a time when the policy and programme of any Government received so much discussion and comment. That is a healthy state of affairs. In view of the depth of the recession and the problems facing this and every other country, I think that it is entirely appropriate that all the facts and the difficulties are referred to and discussed by Ministers. It is necessary to have discussion of both. There is at present a healthy discussion about how we can best handle the difficulties that we are facing.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the co-ordination between himself and the Prime Minister in these matters? Will he give an assurance that, despite her attempts to gag him, he will tell the truth about the terrible mess that we are in and damn the consequences?

Mr. Pym

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was in his place last Tuesday when my right hon. Friend made a comment or two about my speech. I am indeed satisfied with the co-ordination.

Mr. Murphy

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important to ensure that all major ministerial speeches are co-ordinated for their content?

Mr. Pym

But would it not be boring if they were all the same?

Mr. Jay

Does the Minister believe that the publicity or the policies are most to blame?

Mr. Pym

In my view, the blame rests with the problems that face this country and all countries in the world's worst recession for 50 years. Clearly, there is much interest in how we are tackling the problems and because there are a variety of views, as it is right there should be, the presentation can be difficult. Nevertheless, we do the best that we can, and the country is well aware of how we are tackling the problems. It cannot be said that there is any doubt about our presentation.

Mr. Grimond

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the famous speech that he made a week ago has been widely acclaimed as a statement of Government policy and of what the future is likely to hold for us? Can he assure us that his colleagues will take up his theme and explain what it will mean during the next two years?

Mr. Pym

Yes, but I was not adumbrating a new theme. On a number of occasions I have made speeches giving what I considered was the correct assessment. Certainly that speech received more comment than it perhaps deserved, but there is no reason for me to worry about that.

Mr. Durant

When my right hon. Friend talks to his ministerial colleagues, will he seek to persuade them to start discussing the long-term unemployment that I believe the country will face for a considerable number of years?

Mr. Pym

That, too, is an important matter, which I mentioned in that speech and in previous speeches. Much thought is being given to the matter.

Mr. John Silkin

Will the Lord President give as much publicity as possible to the fact that, contrary to the statement that the recession ended 12 months ago, the purchasing power of the average citizen during the past 12 months dropped by 3.6 per cent. and is still declining?

Mr. Pym

It is important that there should be an accurate and realistic assessment of the situation, which should take into account everything that is going right, all the improvements that are taking place—of which there are many—a comprehension of the problems that we are facing and how we are tackling them. There should be a balanced assessment. That is what I and all my colleagues seek to make.