§ Q12. Mr. WillisWhen he intends to visit Harrogate and Knaresborough. [12446]
§ The Prime MinisterI have no immediate plans to visit the hon. Gentleman's constituency, but I intend to continue to make visits to all regions of the country.
§ Mr. WillisI assure the Prime Minister that he would be extremely welcome in Harrogate and Knaresborough. If he visited my constituency, he would discover one of the finest conference and exhibition businesses in the United Kingdom, which is wholly public sector-owned by the local authority. To protect some 5,000 jobs and more than 300 businesses, we need to build a new exhibition hall, but without trading credit approvals—which is the best way to secure finance for such local government development—those jobs cannot be protected. Is the Prime Minister prepared to support greater public sector involvement in new exhibition facilities?
§ The Prime MinisterI think I would be in some trouble if I just answered yes to that question. The Chancellor is sitting next to me. We will consider the case that has been made very carefully. I know Harrogate very well and the tremendous facilities that are there but, as the hon. Gentleman would expect me to say, any help that is given must be given within the financial constraints under which the Government operate.