§ Madam SpeakerThe next question is from Mr. Skinner.
§ Mr. SkinnerQuestion 5.
§ Mr. SkinnerAll right; Question 6. Q6. Mr. Skinner: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16 March.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. SkinnerHas the Prime Minister seen the reports today that if the Tory party loses more than 1,000 seats in the local government elections in May, which it undoubtedly will, senior Tory Members of Parliament are going to kick him out like a dog in the night? Last year, the Prime Minister said that he had got three bastards in the Cabinet: I do not think that he can count.
§ The Prime MinisterAs for counting, I shall answer the hon. Gentleman's Question 5 and Question 6 at the same time.
The substantive part of the hon. Gentleman's question might well have been asked of me last year, the year before last, and the year before that. It almost certainly was, and it will very probably be asked of me next year, the year after and the year after that.
§ Sir Graham BrightHas my right hon. Friend seen reports in this morning's newspapers suggesting that he is considering plans to change how state education is funded? Will he confirm to the House that that is not so?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, I did see the report to which my hon. Friend refers and I can tell the House 1026 categorically that it is absolutely without foundation. I do not know whether it is incompetence or malice, but it is certainly inaccurate.
§ Q7. Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16 March.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. FoulkesHas the Prime Minister seen today's statement by the rail regulator that decisions on sleepers and Motorail are a matter not for British Rail but for the Government? Will he therefore confirm today that there will be a full and formal consultation before any decisions are taken on those vital services?
§ The Prime MinisterI assume that the hon. Gentleman refers to the Fort William sleeper. Representations on that can be made during consultation on the ScotRail public service requirement. In the meanwhile, British Rail will retain the assets.
§ Madam SpeakerAs we started late, I can allow one more question.
§ Q8. Mr. SpringTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 16 March.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. SpringIs my right hon. Friend aware that the two Conservative-controlled district councils in my constituency—Forest Heath and St. Edmundsbury—plan no increase in council tax this year? Is he aware that the only reason why my constituents will pay more council tax this year is because of Lib-Lab controlled Suffolk county council, despite it having used up some £16 million of reserves so carefully built up by the last Conservative administration?
§ The Prime MinisterLib-Lab councils are a very expensive luxury indeed and I am not surprised to hear what my hon. Friend has to say. Last year, Conservative councils cost around £131 less at band C than Labour councils, and this year the difference looks as though it may be even greater—probably as much as £160 less. I hope that the electorate will bear that in mind in May.