§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. SteenWhen the Prime Minister does visit Totnes, will she ensure that she visits the Waterside development, where she will see that derelict warehouses have been renovated to a high standard thanks to a local entrepreneur with a great sense of civic pride and thanks to local people with a sense of community and conservation? If that sense of civic pride were transferred to inner city neighbourhoods, might it not go a long way towards restoring morale and be far more effective than pumping yet more public money into the inner cities?
§ The Prime MinisterI know of that scheme and I agree with my hon. Friend's analysis. It is an excellent scheme that has been led by the private sector, helped by a certain amount of public money and pursued with the total dedication of the local community. I agree that such a scheme would go a long way towards helping the problems of inner cities. I am sure that my hon. Friend will have read with the greatest interest the Chief Rabbi's report on inner cities, and will have agreed with most of the things that he said.
§ Dr. OwenNow that, after the Budget, the Gallup poll has shown—[HON. MEMBERS: "Totnes."] I am not going to speak in the House, Mr speaker, against a constant barrage—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The right hon. Gentleman has as much right to be heard as have other right hon. and hon. Members.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Gentleman's question is, I hope, related to Totnes.
§ Dr. OwenNow that the Gallup poll following the Budget has confirmed that the SDP/Liberal alliance is in the lead—a situation that has already been confirmed by the electors of Totnes, who have chosen the SDP/Liberal alliance to control Devon county council—is it not clear that the people of this country will not be so easily bribed, and are more interested in an economic recovery and in getting people back to work than in seeing 1p being taken off the standard rate of tax?
§ The Prime MinisterI think I am right in saying that the rates have gone up in that area as a result of alliance control.
§ Mr. LilleyWill my right hon. Friend reflect on the opinion poll—doubtless influenced by the electors of Totnes—which shows that 80 per cent. of the population supported the decision to cut the rate of income tax by 1p?
§ The Prime MinisterI take note of that. This Government's achievements have been made, not by twisting and turning with every opinion poll, but by carrying out with persistence and perseverance the policies upon which we were elected.