WES TM NS TER HAUL
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MR RODGERS can sleep easy. He is not going to be sacked. Not that anyone really expected him to be, not even Mr Dafydd Wigley, the Plaid Cymru man who asked Mr Callaghan to dismiss the Secretary of State. Ministers just do not lose their jobs like that. Indeed a request to the Premier to get rid of so and so is merely a matter of Commons procedure, in the same way as is a motion to reduce the salary of a particular minister.
As far as Mr Rodgers was concerned, it was dearer petrol instead of road fund licences yet again. He must be wondering if he is ever going to be left in peace about this matter, especially by MPs who represent country areas.
Mr Wigley, as the Member for Caernarvon, is one of this articulate band, and he obviously wanted to express his unhappiness to the top.
But the PM does not handle petrol or licences, so a subtle way had to be found to get him in the act. Hence the sacking question.
Alas for Mr Wigley's hopes. The Prime Minister was not there, so his questions were answered by Lord President of the Council Michael Foot.
And his reply could not have been shorter or more definite — "No."
Unsurprised, Mr Wigley did not pursue the subject, but launched into his plea for country drivers without rail and bus services. And he came out with the novel suggestion that the licence money should be made up by general taxation.
Mr Foot was all reassurance. There would be ample time for MPs to discuss everything during the weeks, months and years that lay ahead.
A side-swipe at Mr Wigley and his Welsh Nationalist colleagues came from Mr Don Anderson, who recalled Plaid Cymru's concern about the potential job loss at the computer centre in his Swansea constituency. If there were a separate Wales, he pointed out, this United Kingdom facility would not even be there.
Mr Foot, who also represents a Welsh — well a Gwent — area, was at one with him about the benefit Wales got from dispersing Government departments, and was equally accommodating to Mr David Steel.
The Liberal leader made what he called a much more modest request than the dismissal of Mr Rodgers — he wanted an early debate on the consultative document in the case.
"Fairly soon," promised Mr Foot.