HC Deb 30 June 1986 vol 100 cc692-3
19. Mr. Winnick

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many official engagements he has carried out since he last answered oral questions.

Mr. Tebbit

Twenty-eight. That figure does not include meetings of Ministers which I have attended, nor engagements in my capacity as chairman of the Conservative party organisation.

Mr. Winnick

That is very interesting, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a certain amount of sympathy among the Opposition, surprising as it may seem to him, about the way in which so many of his Cabinet colleagues are rubbishing him and even spreading the word that the Prime Minister now regrets appointing him to his position as chairman of the party? Does not the right hon. Gentleman's rude, aggressive and abrasive style sum up this Government so well? If so, why are his Cabinet colleagues so highly critical of him?

Mr. Tebbit

It would not be appropriate for me to answer from this Dispatch Box on matters concerning my position as chairman of the Conservative party. In so far as anything that the hon. Gentleman has said today is relevant, or even anything that he has ever said in this place has been relevant, he is, as ever, talking rubbish.

Mr. Stokes

Will my right hon. Friend take comfort from the fact that at least we on the Conservative Benches are very happy indeed that he is Chancellor of the Duchy and will not lose any sleep over it at all?

Mr. Tebbit

I thank my hon. Friend for his remarks. What I find even more interesting is the support that I seem to be getting from some Opposition Members, particularly in that, as I understand it now, there are some Opposition Members, including some on the Front Bench, who, far from hating Tebbit's law, are beginning to think that it was a popular thing and that they had better not threaten to repeal it.

Mr. Simon Hughes

Will the Chancellor of the Duchy consider it part of his duties to visit in the forthcoming period St. Michael's Wyre in the county of Lancaster and also the site of the Abbeystead pumping house? He will be aware that this week there will be a debate in which the issue of compensation for the bereaved and injured can be raised for the first time. People there were led to believe that the Government would take a continuing interest. The right hon. Gentleman's predecessor went there on a visit. The people now look for a fulfilment of their expectations and of the Government's promises. The right hon. Gentleman's visit would be much welcomed, if he could deliver practical solace to them.

Mr. Tebbit

I shall take good care to look into that matter, but I would be surprised if it fell within my ministerial responsibilities.