Q1.
asked the Prime Minister when he last made a ministerial broadcast.
rose—
Hear, hear.
I was hoping it would be unanimous.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave him on 14th December.Is the Prime Minister sure that he can handle tonight's television interview on his own, or will he be begging one of the leaders of one of the other parties to go along with him to hold his hand?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to intimate that I hope the whole House will watch an excellent broadcast on "Nationwide" at 6.20 this evening, although modesty forbids my saying who is taking part.
In his next broadcast will my right hon. Friend point out to the public that even the remote possibility of a Conservative Government has led to a sharp fall in the value of the pound?
Yes, I am aware that that has taken place. I have been informed that a few minutes ago it appeared on the tape that what was called "Callaghan's hopes of victory" is sending the pound, stocks and everything else soaring again.
In his several broadcasts as Prime Minister the right hon. Gentleman has laid great stress on the Labour Party's programme. Does he still stand by Labour's 1974 manifesto?
I am grateful to the right hon. Lady for that inquiry, as it gives me the opportunity to intimate to the House—as I have recently had to review the manifesto—that, I am glad to say, about four-fifths of the programme has already been carried out. I have no doubt that we shall be able to complete the rest with the assistance of all parts of the House.
When the Prime Minister's party drew it up, did it anticipate a very short Parliament?
No. We knew the celerity with which my hon. Friends would work and the desire of the Opposition to assist us. Therefore, we were quite clear, as we worked through it, that we would be able to get it done in a reasonable time. I am grateful to the Opposition for all the assistance that they have given us over the past few years.
If the Prime Minister's next broadcast has to be a farewell performance on behalf of his Government, will he make it clear to his party that the main grave-digger figures were his right hon. and hon. Friends who permitted themselves the luxury of voting against the guillotine motion on the devolution Bill?
There is no doubt that the Scotland and Wales Bill has meant a separation of the ways between the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Labour Party, and that I regret. But I still have hopes of one day coaxing the right hon. Gentleman into supporting us again.