§ 15. Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which was the principal Government policy with which he was concerned in the week beginning 6 May. [27680]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterI have continued to work on a full range of those Government policies for which I am responsible.
§ Mr. ArnoldWhen my right hon. Friend co-ordinates Government policy, does he have the problem that some Cabinet members—[Interruption.] Does he find that some Cabinet members have not spoken to each other for 18 months, which is precisely the problem that his opposite number in the Labour party has with shadow Cabinet members?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend raises a most interesting point, which shows proper compassion for the Labour party's activities. I would be very happy to offer to hold a reception for the Leader of the Opposition, so that his shadow Cabinet could get together in convivial circumstances and try to sort out their difficulties in private.
§ Mr. SkinnerGiven his Government's record, has not the Deputy Prime Minister got a cheek to lecture anybody about not being united and not speaking to one another? Is it not a fact that a little over 12 months ago his Prime Minister said that he had three bastards in the Cabinet? I told him that he could not count. Then he had a ballot, in which the Deputy Prime Minister refused to take part—Redwood v. Deadwood—and the net result was that the Prime Minister found that he had 89 bastards instead of three.
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterI shall be very happy to invite the hon. Gentleman to the reception as well—then the shadow Cabinet could really learn what new Labour is all about.
§ Madam SpeakerWe now come to Question 16.
§ The Deputy Prime Ministerrose—
§ Mr. PrescottNot you again.
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterYes, there is more of this; it is me all the way from now on. [Laughter.] I have to keep the deputy leader of the Labour party amused. Since the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) cannot amuse him, I can at least bring a little light relief.