§ Q13. Mr. SymsWill the Prime Minister now rule out, perhaps by a leak to The Guardian, cutting or taxing disability living allowance?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have made it clear that a review is under way. When the results of that review are published, we will make them available to the House.
§ Liz BlackmanCan my right hon. Friend confirm the fact that the Government have excellent relations with our European partners, including Germany? Will he join me in roundly condemning the offensive remarks made a few days ago by a Conservative Member?
§ The Prime MinisterWe do have excellent relations with our European partners—[Interruption.] I am sorry that that is a cause for criticism by the Conservative party. I am delighted to see the Leader of the Opposition sitting next to the shadow Secretary of State for Trade and 368 Industry. I know that the shadow Secretary of State made the criticism that Chancellor Kohl should not be given the freedom of the City of London; perhaps it is time the Leader of the Opposition gave the shadow Secretary of State the freedom of the Conservative Back Benches.
§ Q14. Mr. WhittingdaleHas the right hon. Gentleman had time to study the petition delivered to 10 Downing street, signed by 7,914 of my constituents and calling for the maternity unit at St. Peter's hospital in Maldon to be kept open? Is he aware that the closure of maternity units in rural areas such as Maldon, Braintree, Clacton and Harwich flies in the face of the Government's policy set out in "Changing Childbirth"? Will he intervene to stop such closures, which will deny choice to thousands of mothers?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman well knows, the reason for the present tight financial constraints is that we inherited them from the previous Government. What is more, we are putting in an extra £1.5 billion into the national health service. If the hon. Gentleman is going back and telling his constituents that, under a Conservative Government, things would be different, he is simply not telling them the truth—but then what would be new in that for the Tory party?
§ Mr. Derek FosterWill my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the world-class management and work force of Black and Decker in Spennymoor, which have secured an extra 350 jobs, although the original plan was for total closure of the plant, losing 1,200 jobs? Does he agree that the northern work force has a great deal to gain from lifelong learning strategies, and will he ensure that the Government give as much priority to lifelong learning as to the schools agenda?
§ The Prime MinisterI am delighted with the news about Black and Decker. I know that my right hon. Friend has worked hard to play his part in helping that investment to come there. Of course, Black and Decker used to be in my constituency.
What my right hon. Friend says about lifelong learning is absolutely correct. As part of the education and skills revolution which we need in this country, we must encourage adults to upgrade their skills and learn new skills throughout their working lives. The imaginative proposals announced today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, plus additional money to help people get the skills that they require, especially in new technology, will play a big part in boosting jobs and ensuring that Britain is on its way to achieving our aim, our vision, which is to have the best educated, best skilled work force in the western world.