Mr Alan Clark: As I have been challenged by the hon. Gentleman, I am most grateful to him for allowing me the opportunity to intervene. Does he agree that the defence industry plays a vital part in Britain's security and that in the present international climate it is one of the very few industries in which a growth element is discernible?
Mr Alan Clark: There has been ample evidence in this debate that economics is still not an exact science. In their discussion of the relationship between unemployment and inflation, some hon. Members have said that unemployment is the result of inflation, others have said—possibly, in some measure, this applies to the Chancellor of the Exchequer—that unemployment is the cure for inflation, and others...
Mr Alan Clark: Without any disrespect to my colleagues, or with only minimal disrespect, I draw the attention of the House and, through the Official Report, the attention of the public to the unusually sparse attendance in the House during a debate on a subject which involves one of the most deserving sections of the community. I am afraid that it illustrates the truth of something of which we are...
Mr Alan Clark: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the criteria applied to the distribution of supplementary benefit.
Mr Alan Clark: Does the Minister realise that there is a practice among certain types of claimant of drawing supplementary benefit to meet some or all of the costs of their rent and then either keeping the money or spending it on themselves? Does he not agree that this is a fraud on the Exchequer, a fraud on all those who work and pay rent out of their own resources, and a fraud on the landlord, and yet it...
Mr Alan Clark: Does the Chancellor agree that the principal objection levelled against following a so-called monetarist policy was that it would lead to a million or more unemployed? Is it not a curious and dangerous paradox that the moment our unemployment figures rise, the right hon. Gentleman suddenly discovers this new technique of financial probity which is to be imposed on top of our other economic...
Mr Alan Clark: Would it not be more relevant and more ominous if we related these comparisons to previous years? Does the Secretary of State agree that the increase in the numbers of Soviet tanks, for example, from 13,000 to 19,000 since 1970, is exactly equal to the total strength of the NATO forces deployed in the West? This figure, which is already at the three-to-one norm that the Russians regard as...
Mr Alan Clark: I was simply adding to the hon. Gentleman's argument by asking whether he did not think that was there a danger of Chrysler International not only shifting its own resources but shifting its grant money from this country.
Mr Alan Clark: Why does the right hon. and learned Gentleman shrink from admitting that the real distinction is the prejudice against private property which he and his right hon. and hon. Friends hold? They see a distinct difference in quality between farms which are privately owned and land which is held by the State. They choose to penalise the one and to benefit the other.
Mr Alan Clark: I welcome the chance of joining with other hon. Members in congratulating the Under-Secretary of her elevation. I do not know whether such gallantries are in order, but perhaps I may say that the only reservation I have about that is that I shall be deprived of the pleasure of looking at the hon. Lady on emerging through the doors of the Division Lobby in future. Be that as it may, I am sure...
Mr Alan Clark: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is irrelevant to cite the number of cautions and prosecutions by the Factory Inspectorate as they have no effect on tragedies which follow breaches of the Regulations? In considering negligence or oversight, will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many prosecutions have been undertaken against State corporations or their subsidiaries? In...
Mr Alan Clark: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with arrangements made for young offenders on remand; and what action he proposes to take in this regard.
Mr Alan Clark: But surely this possibility depends entirely on the provision of funds. Will not the Minister agree that it is much more desirable to make financial provision in this regard than to improve the conditions of inmates of long-stay prisons?
Mr Alan Clark: Invasion of privacy.
Mr Alan Clark: The Minister has mentioned Exocet. Earlier, when talking about the through-deck cruiser he extolled the virtues of the weapons systems on the vessel. Was not this vessel originally designed to be fitted with Exocet? Was that not cancelled, and will he explain why?
Mr Alan Clark: The hon. Member is making an extremely important point. Does he agree that, despite the skills of the crews and their dedication, the Navy vessels which are being employed are wholly inappropriate for this task? I hope that when the Minister answers the hon. Member's questions he will comment on the unsuitability and extravagance of using frigates in what is, in effect, a ramming competition.
Mr Alan Clark: What about the Opposition in North Korea?
Mr Alan Clark: Does my hon. Friend not agree that the unemployment situation demands increased Government expenditure in this area?
Mr Alan Clark: am glad to follow the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley). Although I listened with great interest to the speech of the Minister and most of the other speeches, if I had not heard the hon. Gentleman I should have said that all the speeches in the debate had followed the usual course of more or less ritual acceptance of the Soviet threat and then declarations, depending on which...
Mr Alan Clark: The Minister's views on tax evasion are always of interest, but will he tell the House of his reaction to the practice of civil servants, or sabbatical civil servants, who express their own highly divisive opinions on this topic to the Press in interviews? I quote—
