HC Deb 16 July 1987 vol 119 c1276
Q3. Mr. Gregory

asked the Prime Minister when she next intends to make an official visit to York.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Gregory

While the citizens of York will be disappointed that my right hon. Friend has not yet decided on a date for a return visit, may I ask her to comment on the possibility of further profit-related pay, bearing in mind that in York and the rest of the country about 21,000 companies have decided already to obtain information from the Inland Revenue on how they can implement profit-related pay?

The Prime Minister

I believe that the innovations of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Finance Bill have been widely welcomed. As my hon. Friend has said, many companies are making inquiries about profit-related pay, realising that their work people could benefit substantially if they introduced the system. I hope that advantage will be taken of it.

Mr. Nellist

rose——

Mr. Speaker

Does the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) relate to York?

Mr. Nellist

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Had the Prime Minister been making a trip to York, would she have taken the opportunity to explain to low-paid workers there and in other cities how it is that she has now withdrawn her opposition to a 20 per cent. rise in hon. Members' salaries that will take them from £370 a week to £450, while she maintains her opposition to the claim of hundreds of thousands of low-paid Government workers whose average take-home pay is only £3 a week more than the rise that she is prepared to accept for Members of Parliament?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman does not seem to be getting universal support from all those who heard his question.

Mr. David Shaw

As I returned from the United States last weekend I was wondering whether my right hon. Friend——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Did the hon. Gentleman return via York?

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