§ Q7. Mr. Keith Simpson (Mid-Norfolk)Yesterday, the junior Home Office Minister blamed the public for the queues outside the passport office. Does the Deputy Prime Minister support the junior Minister's statement?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterAnyone who attended yesterday's debate or read any of the press reports will be well aware that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary took full responsibility. I know that it was rather unusual under the previous Administration for a Secretary of State to accept responsibility. My right hon. Friend accepts the responsibility and he is getting on with the job to ensure that the problem is settled.
§ Q8. Mr. Phil Sawford (Kettering)Is my hon. Friend aware that bus drivers and former bus drivers in my constituency and throughout the country very much welcome the action that this Government have taken to restore £355 million to their pension fund—money that was taken from them by the previous Government?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterYes, it is another problem from the previous Administration that I have had to deal with. With all the demands for resources to be invested in transport, finding that I have to foot the bill for an incompetent Government who robbed the pensions of the National Bus Company, and having to repay the £355 million, is an indictment of a Government who were constantly robbing pensioners one way or another. I am pleased that I have been able to settle the matter, find the compensation and bring social justice to the pensioners of the National Bus Company.
§ Mr. William Ross (East Londonderry)As the Deputy Prime Minister said earlier that he was in favour of open government, will he take steps to ensure that when General de Chastelain publishes his report—perhaps later today, or tomorrow—we shall also have sight of the copy that he had yesterday?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterThose are indeed matters for negotiation, as the hon. Gentleman knows. I hope to see a peaceful agreement in Northern Ireland, and I hope that all matters of free and open information should be available as much as possible—[HON. MEMBERS: "Yes or no?"] In this case, it is a matter for consideration.