HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 cc13-4
30. Mr. Sumberg

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last visited Bury in his official capacity; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs (Mr. John Butcher)

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. and learned Friend has not paid a visit to Bury in his official capacity, but hopes to visit many of the metropolitan boroughs of Greater Manchester during his period of office.

Mr. Sumberg

Is the Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend aware that Bury is currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous sons, Sir Robert Peel? Will my right hon. and learned Friend send a message of good wishes to the people of Bury for the success of those celebrations? Does he agree that the Peelite legacy of social reform and radical Toryism is still alive and well in the modern Conservative party?

Mr. Butcher

My hon. Friend has a lot in common with Sir Robert Peel—Sir Robert was a redhead, as is my hon. Friend. Of course, my right hon. and learned Friend will send a message of congratulations to the people of Bury, who are celebrating the birth of their favourite son. Any examination of the Tamworth manifesto will show that those same principles are alive and kicking in the present Conservative party.

Mr. Favell

Will my hon. Friend ask my right hon. and learned Friend to reflect, when he next visits Bury, on the 4,000 job losses from Manchester city council? Many council employees live in Bury. On his way back to the airport or the railway station, will my right hon. and learned Friend call in at Manchester town hall to tell that authority that council overspending invariably ends in tears?

Mr. Butcher

I am not sure that that is entirely a matter for the Chancellor of the Duchy, whose prime responsibility is for the appointment of magistrates in Bury. However, I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will take careful note of my hon. Friend's comment.

Mr. Foot

Is it not a fact that the greatest historical achievement of Sir Robert Peel was to split the Tory party from top to bottom? Is it not the case that the miserable squealing lot of today have not the guts to do the same?

Mr. Butcher

The right hon. Gentleman and you, Mr. Speaker, are great afficionados of political history, and I thought that the House might be interested in the following comment in a biography of Peel that describes the opposition to him: the opposition resorted to all the obstructive devices which the lax rules of the House allowed … . the behaviour of the Commons, never noticeably decorous, rapidly degenerated. Shouting, groaning, hooting, stamping of feet and beating of sticks on the ground, became a regular accompaniment to debate; and it was said that there was one set of opposition MPs who were making a deliberate attempt to 'bellow Peel down'. Peel was a brave man and you, Mr. Speaker, probably more than any other person in this House are probably thinking, "plus ca change."