§ Q4. Mr. Hoyleasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 April.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. HoyleI understand that on television last night the Prime Minister said that she answers for what she does. In view of that remark, will she answer for when her public and private interests may have overlapped by telling the House when she learnt of her son's interest in Cementation, how much he received as a fee for that, and what he was doing in the Gulf at the time of her state visit to Oman?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave last Thursday.
§ Mr. BestDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it is very sad that Miss Zola Budd should have to seek citizenship of another country in order to exercise her talents, and that she and her Government should be congratulated on striking a blow for freedom in sport by enabling that young lady to have at least an opportunity to demonstrating her abilities at the Olympic games?
§ The Prime MinisterWhether or not Miss Zola Budd has that opportunity is a matter not for me but for those who select the Olympic runners. As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary acted very quickly in her case to give her an opportunity, should others so decide.
§ Q5. Mr. Gouldasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 April.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. GouldUnder the regime established by the Prime Minister in these matters, why are Ministers not subject to the same strict rules as apply to civil servants in respect of conflicts of interest involving members of their families?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already answered questions on this matter—[Interruption.] I do not think that the rules differ from what they have always been.
§ Mr. SoamesIs my right hon. Friend yet in a position to tell the House something of the nature of the reply that the Government have recently made to the proposals put forward by the Government of the Argentine?
§ The Prime MinisterA reply has been sent. Initially we sent a message to the Argentine. It replied to us. We have now replied to its message, but for the time being that reply is confidential.
§ Q6. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 10 April.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. LathamCan my right hon. Friend prescribe any early cure for the sad political laryngitis that continues to prevent the Opposition Front Bench from condemning the loutish militant picketing—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We dealt with that matter last week. The Prime Minister cannot answer for the Opposition.
§ Ms. Clare ShortWill the Prime Minister give an undertaking to the unemployed that she will not allow any cuts in the public employment service that diminish the chances of the unemployed being offered a job, training or even a place on a scheme for the unemployed?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not quite sure what the hon. Lady is getting at. If she is talking about jobcentres, I should point out that the number of jobcentre outlets was increased in the recent statement.
§ Q7. Mr. Dobsonasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 April.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. DobsonDoes the Prime Minister recall being a sponsor of the private funding of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson hospital, which included in its promotional literature the statement that the hospital would provide for the treatment of women by women? If so, why does she not force the DHSS to honour that pledge?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to when it is necessary to have male consultants on duty. I believe that the position has been fully explained to the hon. Gentleman by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health. It is necessary to have that arrangement to keep the main purpose of the hospital going.
§ Mr. CouchmanIs my right hon. Friend aware that in their desperation to save the GLC members of the Labour 196 party are presently organising a petition and are so enthusiastic about it that they are even signing up 11-yearold children, such as my daughter?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have made our policy on the GLC very clear, and the paving Bill will be introduced very shortly.
§ Q8. Mr. Altonasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 April.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. AltonWhat plans do the Government have for the revitalisation of areas that will be devastated by the closure of coal mines?
§ The Prime MinisterCoal miners in special development and development ares are eligible for the many grants available. Where help is needed, small business or enterprise allowances are available. We have no plans at the moment to increase the number of enterprise zones.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorAs my right hon. Friend has shown great sympathy for the people of Afghanistan, who have been persecuted by the Soviets, does she agree that it is outrageous that the Common Market should have increased its exports of cheap, subsidised food to Russia by 600 per cent. since 1979? Is there really nothing that we can do about that outrageous financing of the Russian defence budget?
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend is aware, these matters are decided by a majority vote and therefore we are not able to affect the outcome. My hon. Friend is also aware that we have voted against such goods being heavily subsidised.