HC Deb 25 June 1990 vol 175 cc15-6
74. Mr.Skinner

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list his official duties for 25 June.

Mr. Baker

Earlier today I met Duchy of Lancaster officials; later, I shall spend time attending to Duchy business.

Mr. Skinner

When I took over as chairman of the Labour party, it was six points behind in the opinion polls; When I left, it was 15 points in front. You can do anything with statistics.

As part of his official duties, does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster watch "Spitting Image"? Is he aware that the only puppet that is not human is him and that he is portrayed as a big fat slug? Is he sending a letter of protest or congratulation to the programme makers?

Mr. Baker

I am indifferent to the various caricatures of me: I find that the more significant one becomes, the more trenchant they become.

When the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) was leader, or rather chairman—he was never leader—of the Labour party, it was doing better than it is now. I think that he should be chairman again. The Labour party is waiting for Dennis, and I hope that it will welcome him back as its chairman.