§ Q1. Mr. Williamsasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 October.
§ The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I shall be attending a dinner given by President and Madame Mitterrand.
§ Mr. WilliamsIn this no doubt welcome interlude in the Prime Minister's other engagements, will she take the opportunity to confide in the House and tell us whether she is proud of the fact that within the last month her policies have achieved the worst unemployment levels ever recorded, the worst manufacturing trade figures ever recorded and the lowest level for sterling ever recorded? Which part of the economy does she intend to destroy next month?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware of the policies needed to create greater industrial and commercial wealth. The policies needed are those being pursued by this Government. With regard to the manufacturing figures, it is only sense that if we have a big oil industry and a big balance of trade in our favour that has to be balanced out either by increasing imports or by increasing capital investment overseas. The Labour party is against both.
§ Sir Bernard BraineI appreciate the moves already made by the Government to bring emergency food and medical aid to the famine-stricken areas of Ethiopia. May we have an assurance that, subject to co-operation from the Ethiopian authorities, nothing—but nothing—will be spared to ensure that effective aid is brought to the afflicted as speedily as possible, not excluding the use of air transport?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are very concerned about the situation and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made certain that increased food aid is available from Britain. About 6,000 tonnes of additional food aid and about £5 million in drought-related assistance is available to Ethiopia. I am in touch with the President of the European Community and I am urging him to encourage the other countries in the European Community to follow our example.
The problem is not in getting food to Ethiopia, but, as my hon. Friend indicated in his question, in food distribution. We shall do everything possible to ensure that 804 the right transport is available. We have tried to distribute most of our aid through the International Red Cross and the Save the Children Fund. We are anxious to do everything that we can. In view of the lead that we have taken, we hope that other countries in Europe will follow.
§ Mr. KinnockI thank the right hon. Lady for that answer and follow the question by the hon. Member for Castle Point (Sir B. Braine). The whole House will share the deep public anxiety about the famine in Ethiopia. The Opposition want to welcome the steps already taken by the Government to make some additional emergency relief available.
Does the right hon. Lady agree that resources should be mobilised in defence of laves with the same skill and speed as they were mobilised not long ago by Britain in defence of liberty?
May I try to strengthen the Prime Minister's voice by saying that the European Commission and our European partners should be left in absolutely no doubt that Britain and the British people want the red tape to be cut? There must be no bureaucratic inhibition to the proper provision of the necessary resources. I am sure that the whole country is united behind the right hon. Lady on this matter. Resources and personnel should be provided to ensure that sufficient food is given and effectively delivered to the needy in Ethiopia.
§ The Prime MinisterI thank the right hon. Gentleman. British food aid shipments are already arriving regularly. The main problem is the internal distribution. We cannot choke existing port facilities that are under heavy strain. The additional 6,000 tonnes of food aid allocated yesterday will arrive in Ethiopia before the end of the year—[HON. MEMBERS: "Year?"] We are urgently consulting our ambassador in Addis Ababa on how the £5 million can be put to the best possible use. We shall have to ship food and pay for its internal transport We are providing lorries to facilitate unloading and are considering other equipment needed by the port. We are also considering the provision of drilling rigs to secure water supplies for relief camps. We shall continue to provide other forms of direct disaster relief, including medical supplies. Everything that can be done will be done.
§ Q2. Mr. Penhaligonasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 October.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. PenhaligonAs the Prime Minister so magnificently organised the commandeering of enough ships to carry our Navy, Army and Air Force to the Falklands, will she explain why the famine relief in Ethiopia presents such a problem?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already explained the reasons. We do not wish to choke existing port facilities that are already under heavy strain. The analogy which the hon. Gentleman attempted to draw was wholly false.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanDoes my right hon. Friend accept that, much as we deplore the ludicrous incident with the French security man, many of us would be distressed were that regrettable incident to mar the visit of the French President? Is she further aware that we would also regret it if that incident had any effect on the French ambassador, who is a very good friend of this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI thank my hon. Friend. It was a most regrettable incident. The French authorities are aware of our view that it was wholly wrong for the individual to act in the way that he did. They regret the misunderstanding.
It is of great concern that explosive materials were brought into Britain. Urgent discussions have begun, and will continue, with the French Government about the incident. I agree with my hon. Friend that it should not be allowed to mar the success of the French visit. President Mitterrand is a welcome and honoured guest in our country.
Mr. J. Enoch PowellDoes the Prime Minister feel it to be preposterous that a body calling itself the European Parliament should presume to debate and vote upon a matter internal to the United Kingdom—the dispute in the mining industry?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, I agree with the sentiments expressed by the right hon. Gentleman. If the European Parliament attempts to debate a British internal matter, that will diminish that Parliament.