Engagements (Hansard, 24 November 1987)

§ Q1. Dr. Michael Clark
To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 November.

§ The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)
This morning I 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 hope to have an audience of Her Majesty The Queen.

§ Dr. Clark
Is my right hon. Friend aware of the decision taken yesterday by the North East Thames regional health authority to build a new cancer treatment unit at Harold Wood on the eastern outskirts of London and to close the cancer treatment unit in Southend, which will mean a very long journey for my constituents and those of my right hon. and hon. Friends in the area? Will she prevail upon my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to review this decision, to spend some of the money at Southend and to keep open this cost-effective unit, which gives dedicated care to thousands of cancer sufferers every year?

§ The Prime Minister
I am aware of the decision of that regional health authority. As my hon. Friend knows, the matter will now come to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who will look carefully at the authority's proposals, and his prime concern will be to ensure the best interests of the patients. My right hon. Friend will take into account the Department's own review of the basis on which radiotherapy services are provided.

§ Mr. Kinnock
Will the Prime Minister tell us precisely what is the justification for making nurses in residential homes liable for the whole of the poll tax?

§ The Prime Minister
Nurses in residential homes will have the same treatment on community charges as other people. Of course, if their incomes are low, they will be able to get up to 80 per cent, rebate on the community charge.

§ Mr. Kinnock
Is the Prime Minister making a new announcement that low wages, such as those of nurses, will be enough to qualify people for the full 80 per cent, reduction in poll tax liability?

§ The Prime Minister
No. What I am saying—as the right hon. Gentleman is aware—is that student nurses receive more than those at universities who receive student grants. That is the reason for the difference. I note that the right hon. Gentleman tries to masquerade as being on the side of the nurses—[Interruption.] The Opposition can hardly claim to be the nurses' friend. They cut nurses' pay in real terms for three years running, and in 1976–77 by 10 per cent. In the five pay years between 1974–75 and 1978–79 they cut nurses' pay in real terms in four of those years. Under this Government the pay of nurses has gone up by 30 per cent, in real terms.

§ Mr. Kinnock
If the Prime Minister is concerned now about the economic position of nurses, will she instruct the Secretary of State for Social Services not to withdraw the special night-time and weekend payments from nurses, and will she instruct the Secretary of State for the Environment not to impose the poll tax obligation on people who currently have little or no rates obligation?

§ The Prime Minister
No, Mr. Speaker. The proposals go to the review body for nurses' pay, which was granted by this Government and which nurses did not have under previous Governments. It is necessary to consider the pay of nurses structurally. One thing which arose on a question to which I heard the answer given a moment ago is that nurses who serve geriatric patients are given higher pay than those who serve in paediatric units. That is causing problems. Yes, the pay needs to be looked at structurally, and the review body is the right body to do it.

§ Sir Fergus Montgomery
In view of the repugnance felt in all parts of the House about the horrific atrocities committed by the IRA, will my right hon. Friend seek a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition on Privy Councillor terms in order to ensure that the Opposition withdraw all support from the hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone)? [Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. It is perfectly in order for the Prime Minister to answer the question whether she will have a meeting.

§ The Prime Minister
No, Sir. I will not seek a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. I think that most of us believe that no one in this House should have contacts with the IRA or Sinn Fein.

§ Q2. Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 November.

§ The Prime Minister
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave some moments ago.

§ Mr. Banks
Will the Prime Minister tell the House why she is so opposed to the televising of proceedings in the House of Commons?

§ The Prime Minister
Suppose we wait until the debate. I do not think that televising the House would enhance its reputation.