Former MP for North East Derbyshire
Is my right hon. Friend aware that every local authority association in the country is Tory-controlled, hence the obstruction that appeared to exist at yesterday morning's meeting? Can he explain to the House what negotiations are going on between the Prime Minister himself and the local authority associations about what the Prime Minister said last week—and, I think, said very...
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. A few moments ago you said that in the interests of the business to come you would accept two more questions from each side. This is the third time that the Macebearer has been on his feet.
rose—
Like Roy Jenkins did, only to throw it away.
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Is my right hon. Friend aware that he has often said in this House that prevention is better than cure? Does he not consider that the crisis facing this country today would have been prevented had his Cabinet given a flat-rate increase right across the board during the early stages of negotiations? I am sure, having done my sums on this—[Interruption.] Listen to that lot, Mr. Speaker. If...
Will the right hon. Lady give way?
Stop baying, hounds. We have not killed the fox yet. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree that she has missed out two important sections of society—members of the British Medical Association and members of the associations for the legal professions? They operate a closed shop and, above all, unlike trade unions, operate their own kangaroo courts.
