Results 1-20 of 368 for speaker:Mr Gerald Bowden

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: We have had an interesting debate on an important subject, during which many good new ideas have emerged. Anyone who has been listening to the debate or who reads Hansard will immediately realise that almost all the discussion has been on the Conservative Benches. The Liberal Democrats have not deigned to turn up to show an interest or to give the matter some thought. With the notable...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: Brent, North—of which we understand Wembley to be a part. My hon. Friends have all drawn attention not only to the broad principle but to the particular application that we need to consider in relation to the provisions. Our debate today leaves us in no doubt that there is a crying need for landlord and tenant law to be reformed. The question is whether we should simply tinker with and...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I beg to move, That this House calls for the early introduction of commonhold as a means of effecting necessary reforms in leasehold and freehold tenure. I feel especially fortunate to have been lucky in the lottery. I drew first prize and thereby gained the opportunity to present to the House for debate a subject which is of great national importance. At the same time, it is of great...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: My hon. Friend has made a distinguished contribution to landlord and tenant issues since the first day that he entered the House. Overt corruption has been stamped out, but it is difficult to prove that necessary work commissioned by the landlord, but for which tenants will pay, has been contracted at the cheapest price or even at a competitive price. That presents an opportunity if not for...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: Yes. The rateable value of £1,500 is applicable to London properties. I believe that the figure outside London is £750. Subject to consultation, the removal of that hurdle will allow occupants of properties under a long lease to acquire the freehold. The next stage is to allow tenants who are anxious about the diminishing term of their leases and the threat that presents to their...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I accept my hon. Friend's point. I in no way promote the idea of commonhold or the element of compulsion which it might bring to deliberately do down the landlord or to give an unexpected bonus to a tenant. It should realistically represent the value of the property so that some tenants do not make a killing and beneficiaries of a charitable trust do not suffer. There should be a professional...

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (6 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I fully agree with the principle of my hon. Friend's suggestion. I hesitate to make any observations about the detail, because I do not have the facts of the case. The landlord's role is thoroughly honourable and socially useful. As I said when I declared my interest, I have been involved in that role. In defending that position and in speaking with pride as a landlord, one must recognise...

Oral Answers to Questions — Social Security: Pensioners (Owner-Occupiers) (2 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners are owner-occupiers and have paid off their mortgage.

Oral Answers to Questions — Social Security: Pensioners (Owner-Occupiers) (2 March 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: With more and more pensioners owing their homes outright, and with eight out of 10 recently retired pensioners having an income from investment and savings, is it not reasonable to recognise a measure of prosperity among pensioners? If resources are to be used to increase pensions, should they not be used to target those in greatest need, rather than spreading across the board and benefiting...

Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science: City Technology Colleges (25 February 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils attend city technology colleges.

Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science: City Technology Colleges (25 February 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that city technology colleges provide a real alternative education for children in the inner city? Is he aware that in south-east London—and serving my Dulwich constituency—is Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college, which has received more than 800 applications for 180 places? Is that not proof positive that CTCs are...

Orders of the Day — Museums and Galleries Bill (12 February 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: indicated assent.

Oral Answers to Questions — Employment: Training and Enterprise Councils (11 February 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils were operational in (a) March 1990 and (b) January 1992.

Oral Answers to Questions — Employment: Training and Enterprise Councils (11 February 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Will he join me in congratulating the TECs on the part that they are playing in promoting the local economy? Having in mind my own South Thames TEC in south London, does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the acceptance, success and street credibility of the TECs have been greatly enhanced by the emphasis that they put on the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (28 January 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: Does my right hon. Friend agree —[Interruption.]

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (28 January 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: Does my right hon. Friend agree—[Interruption.]

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (28 January 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: Does my right hon. Friend agree that a party's commitment to public services is best judged by its record in government? Will my right hon. Friend consult our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to ascertain who controls the 20 authorities that have the highest community charge, the highest rent arrears and more vacant properties than any other authorities? Does my...

Orders of the Day — Traffic Calming Bill (24 January 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: I add my congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on introducing such an imaginative and necessary Bill. It strikes a chord in me, because two issues propelled me into politics. One was the inadequacy of the education provision in the area in which I lived and the other was the hazard of traffic to children in the neighbourhood. We live on a main road and we accept the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport: London Transport (13 January 1992)

Mr Gerald Bowden: When my right hon. and learned Friend meets the chairman of London Transport to discuss improvements, will he draw to his attention the importance of providing for south-east London, which is so ill-served by the underground system, and of driving a route through Camberwell, Dulwich and onwards to Crystal Palace?

Oral Answers to Questions — Social Security: Child Benefit (16 December 1991)

Mr Gerald Bowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families will gain from the three upratings of child benefit that will occur in the 12 months to April 1992.