HC Deb 26 November 1996 vol 286 cc150-2
Q6. Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 26 November. [4344]

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave some moments ago.

Mr. Thompson

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall in the House of Commons next week to highlight the tremendous achievements of our engineering and manufacturing industry in this country? Does he agree that engineering offers attractive career prospects for our young people and will he pay tribute to those who are working to promote the achievements of the engineering industry through the Year of Engineering Success campaign next year?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to hear about the exhibition that my hon. Friend mentions. I certainly agree with his sentiments; they were a key aspect of the competitiveness White Paper a short while ago and the reason we launched the action for engineering programme, to increase engineering's contribution to the national economy. There are now about 150,000 more people employed in manufacturing than three years ago. That reverses a long-term trend and is very welcome. In addition, some 40,000 to 50,000 people are on modern apprenticeship schemes. I agree entirely that engineering is an important part of the British economy.

Q7. Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 26 November. [4345]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave some moments ago.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Has the Prime Minister noticed the change in emphasis between the hard man and soft man of IRA-Sinn Fein? Martin McGuinness is now promising to move heaven and earth—I know that he has tried to move earth in the past, but I do not believe that he has any influence in heaven—and Mitchell McLaughlin is now threatening lethal consequences, if the Prime Minister does not come up with terms. Will the Prime Minister speak on behalf of the nation and say that we are not prepared to bow to the threats of terrorists?

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Gentleman knows and as the House wholly accepts, IRA terrorism is utterly unacceptable for any purpose, at any time, in any place. It is also completely counter-productive if there is any suggestion that terrorism will bring Sinn Fein to the negotiating table. It emphatically will not bring it to the negotiating table. If I may quote what the Taoiseach said recently—with which I entirely agree— If Republicans are committed to peace, as they say they are, let them call a ceasefire now and make it a credible one".