Mr Robert Maxwell: And why not?
Mr Robert Maxwell: Why does not the hon. Gentleman give way?
Mr Robert Maxwell: On a point of order. Is the hon. Gentleman entitled to leave out from the Treaty the clause which gives Her Majesty's Government the right to renegotiate?
Mr Robert Maxwell: While congratulating my right hon. Friend and his Administration on being the first Prime Minister in 20 years to bring our legions home from the East—[Laughter]—
Mr Robert Maxwell: —and while we are satisfied that the measures announced by the Government will get Britain out of the foreign pawnshop, may I ask my right hon. Friend, since he has stated that due to Government expenditure being arranged the way it is, Government expenditure will rise in 1968–69, to tell the country what steps the general public can take to have a go to redress our balance of payments...
Mr Robert Maxwell: Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that even if France's point of view prevails temporarily, he will advise Her Majesty's Government to leave our application on the table? Will he further assure us that, unlike the former Administration, he will not permit Her Majesty's Government to indulge in petty anti-French actions?
Mr Robert Maxwell: My right hon. Friend will recollect that the Nassau Agreement came into being because of the brutal cancellation, by the United States Administration, of the Skybolt arrangement. Could he not, under these circumstances, now agree to cancel our purchases of the F111? This could save us £450 million in foreign exchange which we desperately need in order to help our balance of payments.
Mr Robert Maxwell: What positive assistance, if any, are the Government receiving from the Government of South Africa to bring the illegal régime back to legality?
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. The Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee on 27th July notified the Committee that wines and spirits would be available at special prices. These have been offered to Members, staff and the Press, and priced on the advice of the Manager in consultation with the shippers. Tobacco is not being sold at a special price.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I am not aware of any resentment. On the contrary, the offer has been well received and is proving very successful.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. We do not hold stocks for this purpose. The wine merchants operating the cellar stocking system took our old stock away and, in producing the special offer list for Members, have augmented these and enlarged the wine list by adding some of their own stocks.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I am not saying that at all. All that has happened is that the Catering Sub-Committee, looking for revenue in order to ensure that the charge on public funds is reduced, has continued the practice of providing Members, the staff and the Press with an opportunity of acquiring wines for purchase at Christmas time. As I have said to the hon. Gentleman, this is proving both popular and successful.
Mr Robert Maxwell: We have entered into this arrangement by authority vested in the Catering Sub-Committee of the House. I believe that it is in the interests of the House that it be continued.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. Active consideration is being given to this problem. Positive steps have been already taken to enable this service to be provided, if the Services Committee approves it. It is hoped to make a further statement as soon as possible.
Mr Robert Maxwell: To answer the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary Question, the decision can and will be taken in time for the Summer Recess, subject to the technical facilities being available. In answer to the second part, of course, the decision will be taken by the House and by no one else.
Mr Robert Maxwell: We will certainly look into that as a further suggestion for improving the revenue and for making available the resources of this House to the staff, Members and their guests and visitors.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. No. An all-round increase of 10 per cent. was awarded recently.
Mr Robert Maxwell: There is no restriction on a further wage increase for our staff. As the hon. and learned Gentleman will recollect, the House has generally expressed its desire that the servants of the House be paid commensurate with the remarkable efforts that they are putting in. However, having just received an award of 10 per cent., it would be a little premature to talk about any additional awards....
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. I have no knowledge that the food has deteriorated in the Members' Tea Room. Since the installation of the new equipment, I understand that it has considerably improved.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I would not wish to engage in any polemics with the hon. Lady. If she has any complaints about the biscuits, perhaps she would put in a recommendation and the Manager will look at it.
