§ Q1. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Prime Minister when he plans to visit the celebrations of the 800th anniversary 478 of the completion of the present cathedral and the 500th anniversary of the King Edward VI school being held this year in the city of Lichfield. [36532]
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major)I warmly congratulate the citizens of Lichfield on these anniversaries. Unfortunately, I shall not on this occasion be able to visit during them.
§ Mr. FabricantIf my right hon. Friend is able to visit next year, not only could he join in the celebrations of the 801st anniversary of the cathedral but he could see our brand new anti-crime closed circuit television system in the centre of Lichfield and use the opportunity to speak to the people of the city of Lichfield, who will tell him that what we need is not do-gooders but more people like our Home Secretary, who are tough on crime and robust on punishment.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary richly deserves and gets my full support in his fight against crime. It is a fight in which he has engaged with great success without a great deal of support from Opposition Members.
Closed circuit television has had a dramatic effect in catching criminals and deterring crime, and over the next three years we anticipate installing a further 10,000 new cameras up and down the country.