HC Deb 08 December 1983 vol 50 cc462-4
Q5. Mr. Eggar

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Enfield.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Eggar

My constituents will be disturbed to learn that my right hon. Friend will not be visiting them. Had she planned to visit them, is she aware that they would have expressed deep concern at the events that took place in Brent last night and that they, together with the rest of the country, will take the silence of the Leader of the Opposition at Question Time today as condoning the actions last night?

The Prime Minister

The events in Brent were a disgrace to democracy and a revelation of the true nature of the Fascist Left.

Mr. Ashton

Will the Prime Minister find time today to read an article—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman has a right to be heard.

Mr. Ashton

Will the Prime Minister find time today to read an article in Monday's edition of The Times, which was written by Mr. David Hart, a political adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, in which he accuses National Health Service——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman has not related his question to Enfield. We must move on to business questions.

Mr. Ashton

I want to ask a question.

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Ashton

I was going to mention Enfield.

Mr. Speaker

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman was going to say. I only know what he did say. I did not hear him refer to Enfield in his question. We shall move on to business questions.

Mr. Ashton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I was shouted down before I even had a chance to mention Enfield and before I reached the end of my first sentence. If that had not happened I would have been in order. May I ask my question.

Mr. Speaker

I must say that I did not hear the hon. Gentleman say anything about Enfield in his preliminary remarks. However, in the spirit of Christmas, I shall let him finish his question, if he relates it to Enfield.

Mr. Ashton

Would the Prime Minister care to comment on an article in Monday's edition of The Times by a Mr. David Hart, who accused National Health Service workers in Enfield and elsewhere—[Laughted]—of theft and moonlighting? Is Mr. David Hart a political adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, and is it the same Mr. David Hart who went bankrupt a few years ago for nearly £1 million, ran up debts of £1,000 in a Chelsea restaurant and in antique shops, and who is highlighted in today's edition of the Daily Mirror? What sort of advice is the right hon. Lady taking from such an adviser?

The Prime Minister

Mr. Hart is not a political adviser to me, or to No. 10. If the hon. Gentleman has any quarrel with him, I suggest that he puts it to him personally.

Sir Anthony Berry

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the Christmas spirit, cannot we have one more question from an hon. Member who represents Enfield?

Mr. Speaker

Christmas is some way off.

Mr. Pavitt

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In the previous exchanges, great political capital was made out of my constituency of Brent. I was at the meeting referred to— [Interruption.] I think that you, Mr. Speaker, will acquit me of being a militant or aggressive person. I have had no chance to reply to that exchange. Is there any way in which I can put the record straight? The comments made about the incident are quite out of keeping with my construction of a complex matter.

Mr. Speaker

I am very sorry that I have been unable to call the hon. Gentleman. I suggest that he tries again next Tuesday.