§ Q3. Mr. Cartwrightasked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Woolwich.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. CartwrightIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that up to half of my constituents now depend on housing benefit to help with rent and rate bills, and that the largest single group of claimants is retired people with modest occupational pensions? As they are just the sort of prudent and thrifty people who figure so prominently in Conservative propaganda, how does the right hon. Gentleman justify cutting housing benefit by up to £4.50 a week?
§ Mr. BiffenThe hon. Gentleman would be the first to admit that that characteristic is not unique to his constituency. Housing benefit is now paid on such a massive scale that all hon. Members could make his claim. The question is whether the benefit should be tailored to help those most in need. The Government believe that the modest changes in housing benefit will achieve that.
§ Mr. DubsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for many years it has been an established tradition that Members of Parliament can visit the military and naval establishments in the Woolwich area? Why are not similar facilities available to those of us who wish to visit Greenham common?
§ Mr. BiffenI was not aware that the hon. Gentleman had the same close constituency links with Greenham common as he has with military facilities south of the river. However, I shall look into the matter.