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Government Policies (Lichfield)
Q11.[29650] Mr. Fabricant: What assessment he has made of the effects of the Government's policies on the people of Lichfield.
The Prime Minister: In relation to the hon. Gentleman's constituency, I would say, for example, that unemployment has fallen since the general election; that the South Staffordshire health authority is receiving a real-terms increase of £4.3 million for next year, with £1.7 million this winter; and, of course, that the poorest pensioners have been helped with their heating bills. All three things will be of enormous benefit to people in his constituency--and I am happy to give him more particulars.
Mr. Fabricant: I am grateful to the Prime Minister for that helpful answer; I am sure that the whole House will welcome the unemployment rate of 2.8 per cent. Does he accept that some businesses in my area feel that they are at risk and, more important, that the 2.8 per cent. unemployment rate in Lichfield is at risk? There have been five interest rate rises, and the pound has a high value, which means that businesses are facing great difficulties in exporting. More worryingly, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has reported that the economy--of the whole nation, let alone Lichfield--could go into recession at the end of this year as a consequence. What heart can the right hon. Gentleman give the people of Lichfield, and those from other parts of the country, who voted Labour?
The Prime Minister: I will say exactly what I would tell the hon. Gentleman on the interest rate rises and the management of the economy. As I said earlier, we inherited two significant problems on 1 May in relation to economic management. First, inflation was back in the system, as the Conservative Government had refused to raise interest rates despite being advised to do so. Secondly, there was a large structural budget deficit.
We know what happened when we did not tackle those problems at the end of the 1980s: two years on, we ended up with boom and bust under the Conservatives, 15 per cent. interest rates for a year or more and the largest borrowing requirement that the country has ever known. It is precisely to avoid the dangers of that boom and bust that we have ensured that we have sorted out the public finances and put monetary policy on a sound footing for the long term.
I say to the businesses in Lichfield and elsewhere, and to people in the country, that those measures are tough and difficult, but they are right for the country's long-term future. We shall not shrink from making the long-term decisions necessary to build British economic strength.
Q12.[29651] Sir Robert Smith:
When he will next visit the north-east of Scotland.
The Prime Minister:
I am afraid that I have no immediate plans to visit the hon. Gentleman's constituency.
Sir Robert Smith:
I am obviously sorry that the Prime Minister cannot see the delights of the north-east of Scotland, but I hope that he can tell me the Government's view of the importance of the oil industry to the economy of this country and the north-east of Scotland in particular. Will he send a message to the many small and medium businesses that contract to the industry and are building a very important export market that he wants the industry to thrive and grow, and that they should have the confidence to invest and expand?
The Prime Minister:
I certainly want the industry to thrive and grow. The hon. Gentleman will remember that the last Labour Government started the oil industry and put it on its feet. Of course we want both the jobs and the benefits which investment in that industry brings.
Q13.[29652] Mr. Syms:
Will the Prime Minister now rule out, perhaps by a leak to The Guardian, cutting or taxing disability living allowance?
The Prime Minister:
We 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 Blackman:
Can 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 Minister:
We 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
Q14.[29653] Mr. Whittingdale:
Has 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 Minister:
As 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 Foster:
Will 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 Minister:
I 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.
3.32 pm
Mr. Tim Yeo (South Suffolk) (by private notice): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances a copy of a consultation document on the right to roam became available to the Ramblers Association before it was available to Members of Parliament, to whom else the document became available, and if he will make a statement.
The Minister for the Environment (Mr. Michael Meacher): The House will be aware that we have published today our consultation document, "Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales". I held meetings with four national organisations yesterday to outline the Government's thinking in broad terms. In view of the complexity and detail of the issues, I allowed each organisation to have a copy of the document to examine overnight. I emphasised that it was for personal use only and that the contents were not to be disclosed to anybody else.
The organisations concerned were the Country Landowners Association, the Moorland Association, the National Farmers Union and the Ramblers Association, all of which have been involved in extensive discussion with my Department on this issue.
I completely understand the hon. Gentleman's concern that non-governmental organisations should have had copies of the document before it was available to the House. I have discussed this matter with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and apologised to him. [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker:
Order. I will have hon. Members keep quiet when an important statement of this nature is being made to the House. I am sorry, Mr. Meacher.
Mr. Meacher:
My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made it clear that he regarded what has happened as unacceptable, and I share that view. He accepted my wish to make a full and unreserved apology to the House, and that I now do.
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