§ Q5. Mr. Gregoryasked the Prime Minister when she next intends to make an official visit to York.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. GregoryIs my right hon. Friend aware that the York electors will be saddened that the Prime Minister has not yet found time, with her very busy diary, to visit the medieval city of York? Nevertheless, when she does have that opportunity, I am sure that she will deplore the loss of rail revenue through the coal dispute and say that, as the Government have put a greater amount of money into rail investment in the last five years in real terms than any previous Government, the quickest way to continue a successful transport policy is to ensure that coal freight is returned to the railways from the roads.
§ The Prime MinisterI did indeed visit the excellent railway museum when I went to York, and very good I found it. I agree with my hon. Friend that the coal strike has damaged jobs in industries far beyond the coal industry itself. It has very much damaged the railwaymen's prospects of getting the freight they need and I fear that that will result in the loss of jobs by railwaymen because of the loss of coal freight.
§ Mr. EwingDoes the Prime Minister realise that York played a very important part in the early history of the Post Office and that when a postman got tipped in York in the early days he did not have to pay income tax on it? How on earth does the Prime Minister now justify the decision to charge postmen income tax whether or not they receive tips? Does the Prime Minister tip her postman and, if she does, should the tip be taxed? If she does not, should tips be taxed?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of how and by how much tips are taxed is a matter for the Inland Revenue. It comes up from time to time in connection with any occupation in which tips are received, and the practice has not changed.
§ 6. Mr. Hoyleasked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 28 February.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. HoyleWill the Prime Minister take time today to look at some of her previous statements on the relationship of the pound to the dollar? For instance, does she recall saying on 6 April 1976 of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer when he rose to open his Budget
last year the value of the pound was $2.37. When he rose to open it this year the value was down to $1.87 … That is the best barometer of the world's confidence in the" — [Official Report, 6 April 1976; Vol. 909, c. 284.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that the hon. Gentleman has said enough.
§ The Prime MinisterI think that I answered that question yesterday, and since then the pound has improved against the dollar.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my right hon. Friend agree that strikes by teachers every year are terribly damaging to children, especially those who do not have homes to go to during the day while the teachers are on strike, those preparing for examinations and all other children? Has not the time come for teachers to talk to employers to try to obtain an agreement that will last for two or three years so that schools are strike-free during that time?
§ The Prime MinisterAn agreement that would last for two or three years would be very welcome. I agree with what my hon. Friend said about strike action. However strongly some teachers may feel, no strike action that damages children — especially those coming up to examination time — is justified. As my hon. Friend knows, teachers were offered arbitration but chose not to accept it.