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PRIME MINISTER

Engagements

Q1. Mr. Neil Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

Mr. Hamilton

As the miners' strike is being satisfactory brought to a conclusion by the continued return to work, may I ask my right hon. Friend about another problem on which progress is rather less than satisfactory? Is she aware that France has failed to meet its deadline for imposing the collection of the levy on the overproduction of milk? Is she further aware that in Italy no progress whatever has been made towards implementing a quota scheme? Does that not show that there is little desire in those countries to make economies in the common agricultural policy and that, therefore, there is no case for increasing the EC's own resources?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend Michael Joplingthe Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made it quite clear to the Commission that, with regard to the super levy, either all of us collect it or none of us do so. We shall not be in a position in which Britain keeps the rules while others do not. With regard to the increase in own resources and the conditions under which that increase will be put before the House, an order will be placed before the House when we are fully ready to do so.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

The Prime Minister never ceases to preach to everyone about the need to obey the law, so what is she doing about the 500,000 or so companies which refuse to obey the law by filing their annual accounts with Companies house?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that those cases are followed up, and that it occasionally takes some time to file such accounts. However, the matter is not in my hands but in those of the law enforcement authority.

Mr. Ian Lloyd

My right hon. Friend will be aware of the grave concern caused throughout the country by the news that £250,000 of public property has been destroyed. I refer to the NCB computer and the geological centre. She will be further aware that no single step has probably had more damaging effects on the employment prospects for those in the coal mining industry. What measures are being taken to ensure that Mr. Scargill 's Visigoths are not allowed or encouraged to continue such behaviour?

The Prime Minister

That was an act of vandalism and an attempt to destroy other people's jobs by destroying the equipment with which they work and the possibility of doing very important geological research. The matter will, of course, be pursued by the police and I hope that those responsible will be brought before the courts in the ordinary way.

Mr. Steel

In view of the extraordinary outburst from the pulpit on Sunday by the chairman of the Conservative party, will the Prime Minister make it clear that she sent [column 144]a full and positive reply to the church leaders' letters on Ethiopia without questioning their facts, as he sought to do? Would it not be an improvement all round if she made the hon. Gentleman a bishop, and took some bishops into her Government?

The Prime Minister

I do not tangle with bishops—I leave that to very distinguished ex-Prime Ministers, Lord Wilson of Rievaulxone of whom, during a maiden speech in another place a few days ago, said that

“episcopal and archiepiscopal plunges into economics are very often rather eccentric, even capricious.” —[Official Report, House of Lords, 13 November 1984; Vol. 457, c. 236.]

Q2. Mr. Loyden

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Loyden

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Government's intention to smash the trade union movement by pursuing policies of mass unemployment, by destroying local democracy and by reducing the living standards of working people and their families will not be achieved? Is she further aware that final victory will elude her and that the trade union movement and the Labour party will emerge stronger, not weaker, than they are now?

The Prime Minister

What is reflecting badly on the trade union movement, and doing it great damage, is the NUM's refusal to hold a ballot and its persistence in using violence to extend the strike. It would be far better for everyone if the miners returned to work and business returned to normal.

Q3. Mr. Ward

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Ward

During her busy day, will my right hon. Friend find time to reflect on the decision of the leadership of the NUM to seek financial assistance from Libya and the Soviet Union? Is it not astonishing that unions that believe in freedom should seek financial help from countries where there are no free trade unions?

The Prime Minister

I agree with my hon. Friend that maximum aid comes from a country with no free trade unions. I noted some time ago that Arthur Scargillthe leader of the NUM condemned Solidarity and said that he disagreed with it, even though it is a union trying to establish free trade unionism in a Socialist state.

Mr. Kinnock

In view of the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week that he expects to have scope for further net reductions in taxes of about £1½ billion in next year's Budget, can the Prime Minister now give the House a categorical assurance that her Government will not extend VAT to books, periodicals and magazines or to children's footwear and clothing?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman is using an old, customary ploy, by which I shall not be trapped, of putting forward a number of measures and asking me to deny them one by one. He knows full well that he must wait for the Budget. I shall not fall for that ploy.

Mr. Kinnock

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer can tell us what he expects to do with taxes next year with cuts [column 145]in health, education, social services and housing, why cannot the right hon. Lady tell us what she will do about VAT?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman is well aware that at this time of the year the Government must introduce to the House the public expenditure figures for the coming year. It has always been so. He should be aware by now that the Budget is introduced in the spring, not before Christmas.

Q4. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Taylor

Can my right hon. Friend find time today to offer congratulations to the British Steel Corporation on the huge improvement in its production and financial performance, despite all attempts to disrupt its activities? As the BSC moves towards financial break-even, will my right hon. Friend make a point of congratulating the work force, the management, the present chairman and the past chairman—who I think was called Mr. MacGregor?

The Prime Minister

I gladly join my hon. Friend. Those who work for the British Steel Corporation know full well that to keep their jobs they have to keep their customers. They are doing that and serving them very well, in spite of all the difficulties placed upon them by a fellow trade union.

Mr. Nellist

Is the Prime Minister aware that the £4,000 million which her Government have spent in the past nine months in attempting to destroy the National Union of Mineworkers could have provided a £25 a week increase for every registered person on the dole or a £4 a week tax cut for every registered insured worker? Is it not a fact that, in the face of her attack on jobs, 90 per cent. of the miners in Scotland are on strike, 97 per cent. of the miners in Yorkshire are on strike, and 99.6 per cent. of the miners in South Wales remain solid?

The Prime Minister

If the hon. Gentleman is interested in people keeping their jobs, he should stop supporting strikes.

Q5. Mr. Nicholls

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Nicholls

Given the fact that the general secretary of the TUC has now come out forthrightly against violence, and bearing in mind that that violence would probably cease if the TUC and the NUM were to obey their own guidelines on peaceful picketing, has not the time now come for those guidelines to be obeyed? Should not a call be made for those guidelines to be obeyed? Can my right hon. Friend think of anyone better placed than the Leader of the Opposition to make such a call?

The Prime Minister

I think that we all appreciated Norman Willisthe general secretary's forthright denunciation of violence. We would also all appreciate it if the TUC guidelines on picketing were henceforth to be obeyed by all trade unions that belong to the TUC.

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Q6. Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Wardell

It seems to be highly probable that the Council of Environment Ministers on 6 December will consider issuing a directive on beverage containers, which will seriously affect employment in the tinplate and aluminium industry in south Wales. Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that she will instruct her Minister to veto that directive if the Council so decides?

The Prime Minister

I do not know whether the Council of Ministers will decide in that way, but I cannot give the hon. Gentleman that assurance.

Sir Peter Blaker

With regard to the attempt by the president of the National Union of Mineworkers to obtain aid from the Soviet Union, would not the members of that union who value freedom be wise to bear in mind that there is one form of aid which the Soviet Union is always ready to provide, and that is advice and instruction on how to disrupt and destabilise institutions in the free world?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend makes his point very effectively and I agree with him.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Following the right hon. Lady's description of herself on television last night as an English Prime Minister, is she aware that many Scots will welcome the acknowledgement that she has no mandate for government north of the border? Therefore, will she ensure that legislation is introduced into this House at least to redeem the promise of her noble Friend Lord Home that a separate Scottish Government should be set up?

The Prime Minister

The United Kingdom has had many Scottish Prime Ministers and it is about time the English had a chance.

Q7. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Clarke

Has the Prime Minister today responded to the view of the Australian Prime Minister that we should stay in UNESCO? If she has, has she borne in mind the views of the United Kingdom commission as well as 25 human rights organisations in Britain? Will she just for once respond to the Third world and to the non-aligned nations, instead of hanging on to American coat-tails?

The Prime Minister

The many criticisms that have been made of UNESCO are abundantly justified, both as to the direction of its expenditure and its attempts from time to time to prevent freedom of speech and freedom of the press in parts of the world.

Q8. Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

The Prime Minister

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

Q9. Mrs. Peacock

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 November.

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The Prime Minister

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

Mr. Dalyell

Have all signals to and from the Conqueror been retained, other than those that were in the missing log book?

The Prime Minister

rose——

Mr. Speaker

Order. There was some confusion because the two previous questioners were not present. We are on question No. 10.

HMS Conqueror

Q10. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister why HMS Conqueror was ordered to return to the scene of the sinking of the General Belgrano on Monday 3 May 1982.

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The Prime Minister

HMS Conqueror was not ordered to return to the scene of the sinking of the General Belgrano on 3 May 1982, but was ordered to continue operations in accordance with her current rules of engagement. Early on the morning of 4 May 1982, London time, HMS Conqueror signalled her intention to return to the area where Belgrano was attacked. She was then ordered not to attack warships engaged in rescuing survivors from Belgrano.

Mr. Dalyell

Have all signals to and from the Conqueror been retained, in any form, other than those that were in the so-called missing log book?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman has asked a number of questions about this matter. I prefer to check precisely before giving him a specific reply.