Tories table motion of no confidence in the Government Mrs Thatcher, Leader of the Opposition, yesterday tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government in the wake of Labour's refusal, on1 Thursday, to take part in a vote on its public spending plans. The motion will be debated on Wednesday and if the Opposition succeeds a general elec- tion will ensue. Minor parties hold election key By George Clark Political Correspondent After the Government's re- fusal to liave a vote in the Commons on Thursday on its public expenditure plans. Mrs Thatcher, the Conservative leader, yesterday threw dowvn the gauntlet. She said that since the Gov- ernment declined to seek a confidence vote from the House, she had tabled a motion of no confidence, whlich she vill move on Wednesday. If it is carried, the Govern- nient accepts that it must lead to a general election. The timing could be a matter for inter-party agreement, but the date would almost certainly be after the local government clections on May 5 (May 3 in Scotland). To precipitate a general elec- tion, Mrs Thatclher needs to wvin the full backing of the mninority parties, includiing the United Ulter Unionist Coali- tion, in wvhich Mr Enoch Powell wyields a strong influence. Dur- ing the general elections of February and October, 1974, he used that influence against the Conservative Party and for Labour, and there is no indica- tioII that he intends to adopt a softer line with 'Mrs Thatcher than he did with Mr Heath, her predecessor. If he could have his wav again, it is probable that the eight MPs in the Ulster coali- tion would provide the Govei-i- ment wvith a lifeline next :eek. But his colleagues want to use their powerful position in the present parliamentary deadlock to advance their cause in Northern Ireland both on tle political and economic fronts. Thev axe also demanding stronger security measures, wlhich were discussed vesterday at a meeting at' 10 Downing Street chaired by thc Prime Minister and attended by Mr Rees, the Home Secretary. and Mr Mason, Secretarv of State for Northern Ireland. It wvas no accident that a sub- seQuent meeting included the same ministers and Mr Cocks, thie Government chief whip, and Mr Walter Harrison, the deputy chief whip. They were clearly discussing the likely line-up of the minority parties on Wednes- day, and the possibility of mak- ing sorne move that would win over the votes of the Ulster- men. Last niaht the impression was given in Whitehall, and appar- ently by Mr Callaghaii in Car- diff. that the Government is not falling over itself to court the LIiberals. All the signs yester- dav were that Mr David Steel and his colleagues (who meet on Tuesday to reach a final deci- sion, having taken soundings in The present state of the parties in the House of Commons is: Labour 310 Independent Scottish Labour 2 (Mr J. Robertson and Mr J. Sillars) Conservatives 278 Liberals 13 Soottish National Party 11 Plaid Cymru 3 United Ulster Unionist Coalition 8 Independent Ulster Unionists 2 (Mr Craig and Mr Kilfedder) Social Democratic and Labour Party 1 (Mr G. Fill) Independent Irish 1 (Mr F. Maguire) The Speaker 1 Chairmen 3 (Non-voting chairmen) Seals vacant: Grimsby (Lab) 1 Stechford (Lab) . 1 Total 635 the constituencies) will decide to vote with the Conservatives. The nationalists (11 Scottish and three Welsh), if they are all fit, will certainlv vote with the Conservatives, because they think they could make runaway gains in an early election after the virtual abandonment of the devolution Bill. Because they resigned from the Labour Party and joined the new Scottish Labour Party on account of their loss of confi- dence in the Labour Government over the devolution Bill, Mr John Robertson (Paislev) and Mr James Sillars (Ayrslire, South) are likely either to vote with tbe- Conservatives or abstain. There ar-e five Labour MPs who are ill, but they could all be brought to the precincts of the House to comply with the rules allowing them to be "'nodded through" the Govern. ment lobby. They are: Mr Thomas Litterick (Birmingham, Selly Oak), Mr Donald Ander son (Swansea, East), Mvlr Raymond Fletcher (Ilkeston), Sit' Alfred Broughton (Batley and Morley), and Miss Betty Boothroyd (West Bromwich, West). None of the Conservative MPs is ill. Mr Gwynfor Evans, the Welsh Nationalist leader, and Mr John Dunlop (UUUC member for Ulster, Mid) were reported yesterday to be onl ihe sick list, but they mav be able to attend. Much depends on the full muster of the minority parties and the actions of Mr Gerard Fitt, the SDLP member for Belfast, West, and Mr Frank Maguire, Independent Irish MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and the independent Scottish Labour MPs. The Conservative wihips yesterday were not over-confi- dent of victory, but thev felt that, Mr Callaghan liaving refused to seek a confidence vote, the Opposition had to go for a confrontation. As they see it, the line-up could be: Labour, 310; Scot- tish Labour Party, 2; ;Ir Fitt and Mr Maguire, making 314. Against them: Conservatives, 278; Liberals, 13; Scottish National Party, 11; Plaid Cymru 3; United Ulster Unionists, 8 - independent Unionists (Mr Craig and Mr Kilfedder), 2; total 315. That shows the narrowness of the expected margin. But it was pointed out that if Mr Robertson and Mr Sillars voted with the Conservatives the majority over the Government 'would be five; if they abstained, it would be three. On a Nisit to Cardiff yester- day Mr Callaghan was asked if the Government would seek to do a deal wvith other parties before the vote on Wednesday. " Deal is not the word one would use ", he said. The Liberals and other parties would make up their own minds. But he acknowvledged the seriousness of the Government's position. "This is the moment of truth", he said. "It wvill be a very serious vote." He wvas cautious, just like the Tory whips, about predicting the outcome. " I hope wve shall win ; we deserve to win ". he said. All the other parties seem united in their condemnation of the Government for not seek- ing a vote on their expenditture plans. But Mr Callaghan said yesterdav that the Government's defeat on Thursday, when it declined to put in tellers for the division, wvas " about notli- ing. in effect ". It wvas about cutting public expenditure, which the Conservatives wanted the Government to cut anyway. Legislating wvas not neces- sarily governing. "We govern of r ight ", he said. Referr ing to minoritv govern- ments, Mr Callaghan said: " I (1o not think they are very good thiings, but do not confuse it with governing." In a House of Commons well attended for a Friday, Mrs Thatcher raised a point of order at the beginning of the pro- ceedings. She said : "As a result of the events last night, it wvill be wvithin your know. ledge, Mr Speaker, that I invited the Prime Minister to follow the precedent set by his predecessor and face the House with a motion of confidence put down in his own name. "He has declined to do so, or to come to the House this morning. I have therefore handed in a motion 'That this House has no confidence in her Majesty's Government'. I understand that the Prime Mlinister will give facilities for it to be taken early next week." Mr Steel's terms, page 2 Leading article, page 15 Tories table motion of no confidence iin the Government