Derbyshire

HC Deb 28 November 1991 vol 199 cc1064-5

Q2. Mrs. Currie

To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Derbyshire.

The Prime Minister

I am making a series of visits to all parts of the country and very much hope to include Derbyshire.

Mrs. Currie

Is the Prime Minister aware that in south Derbyshire, having seen off Arthur Scargill, we have a vigorous, successful engineering industry, a high level of exports and a young and growing work force with a low level of unemployment? We know that we are far better off in Europe—indeed, we are well off in Europe—and far better off in Europe than out. May I therefore pass on to the Prime Minister the good wishes of all my constituents for his efforts at Maastricht and hope that when he has finished there he will come up to Derbyshire and tell us all about it?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I share her view that industry, commerce and individuals in this country are better off in the European Community than outside it. Many companies are increasing their sales and increasing their relationship with Europe week after week. One of our objectives at Maastricht will be to achieve stricter implementation of Community measures to ensure that there is genuinely a level playing field for British industry and commerce in Europe.

Mr. Skinner

If the Prime Minister comes to Derbyshire, whatever else he does, he wants to avoid canvassing with the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie). When she went to Bolsover a few years ago at the time of the salmonella in eggs crisis, she went into South Normanton marketplace and met a woman there who said, "Hey you, are you Currie, the one about the salmonella?" The hon. Lady said, "Oh, yes. Are you going to vote Tory?" The woman said, "Look, I've got six of these eggs in my basket and if you don't sling your hook back to south Derbyshire, you'll have these on top of your head."

Mr. Speaker

I did not detect a question in all that, but carry on.

The Prime Minister

I suspect that many people in Bolsover will carry eggs in their basket in the hope of meeting the hon. Gentleman.