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Oral Answers
Oral Answers
24 MAY 1979
of sustained and comprehensive pay policy while failing to rule out the most draconian, arbitrary and unfair form of pay policy, namely a pay freeze?
entirely rule out a pay freeze.
I res- ponded, would any responsible incom- ing Min
that no responsible person would enurely rule out a pay freeze during the whole course of a Parliament. As the hon. Gentleman knows, a large number of claims have been referred to the comparability commission. We agreed to honour the recommendations of the commission on those cases referred by the previous Government.
Mr. Michael Latham : Following recent and highly deplorable outbursts from cer- tain trade unions, will my right hon. Friend congratulate the Leader of the Opposition on his remarks yesterday that political action should not be
be taken against the elected Government of Britain? May we hope that that advice will be fol- lowed by the trade unions and the Tribune group?
The Prime Minister: I shall gladly do that. I feel sure that that view is shared by the vast majority of responsible trade unionists.
Mr. Skinner: As the Prime Minister does not have a mandate for a pay freeze, and as she says that she is a conviction politician, will she categorically rule out a pay freeze in the next 18 months?
The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentle- man is trying to do exactly what the press tried to do, and I shall reply in exactly the same way. I do not rule out a pay freeze over the lifetime of a Parliament, and I will not go further than that.
Mr. Forman: On the subject of trade union reform, will my right hon. Friend make it clear that it is the reverse of the truth to say that the Government are
The Prime Minister: Natural caution and good financial instinct.
the
Q2. Mr. Temple-Morris asked Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 24 May.
The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. given to the hon. Member for Thornaby Friend to the reply which I have just
(Mr. Wrigglesworth).
Mr. Temple-Morris: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Labour Party, through its instrument, the Labour Southern Africa Solidarity Fund, has donated, and this month paid, no less than £1,000 to the Patriotic Front? Is she further aware that the right hon. Member for Lanark (Mrs. Hart), the former Minis- ter of State for Overseas Development, has declared that to be in accord with Labour Party policy?
The Prime Minister: I have read the report to that effect in the press. I am very grateful that I lead a party that does not take donations to terrorist organisations.
Mr. Bradford: Will the Prime Minister find time today to decide on the date for a debate on capital punishment for terrorism in the United Kingdom?
The Prime Minister: I do not think that I can possibly do that today, but the hon. Gentleman will, perhaps, catch Mr.
inspired by a spirit of dictatorship? Will Speaker's eye and put the same question
she also make it clear that we seek moderate, reasonable reform, carrying the broad mass of the trade union member- ship with us?
The Prime Minister: I entirely accept what my hon. Friend says. The Govern- ment are concerned to have a proper balance between the powers and responsi- bilities of any powerful body. We believe that we have the overwhelming support of the vast majority of the people for the legislative reforms that we propose, and that they are fair and reasonable.
Mr. David Steel: How does the Prime Minister consistently rule out any form
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to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House a little later.
Mr. Rost: Does my right hon. Friend agree that we would not, today, be faced with an oil shortage if Governments of the Western world had taken more initiatives to implement a conservation programme the opportunity today to state clearly that over the past five years? Will she take
the new Conservative Government will do what the Labour Government failed to do-provide geniune incentives for us to save energy for the years to come?
The Prime Minister: I very much agree with my hon. Friend that energy