Mr John Cordle: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have now had an opportunity of giving further onsideration not only to the Report of the Select Committee on the Conduct of Members but to my own position and that of my constituents as it is affected by the report. I have decided on reflection, and as a parliamentarian of nearly 20 years' experience, that if a group of my colleagues decide unanimously that I was at...
Mr John Cordle: May I warmly support my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Maudling) in his request for the earliest possible debate on the Select Committee's Report on the conduct of hon. Members, especially as there appear to be findings—on events that occurred in 1965—based on rules of conduct that were not enunciated until 1974?
Mr John Cordle: It is particularly apposite that I have to raise a matter in respect of the health services in my own division, the subject of casualty ward facilities at the Boscombe General Hospital. I am grateful for the opportunity of bringing to the attention of the House a matter which is causing very considerable concern and anxiety to my constituents. That is the centralisation of accident services...
Mr John Cordle: Has the Minister at this stage had discussions in the Home Office on the improvements which she suggests would be inserted in place of the clause in the event—which we hope will not occur—of it going to the House of Lords?
Mr John Cordle: My hon. Friend is dealing carefully and correctly with this issue as a Member who represents part of the metropolis, but there is a special problem in other constituencies, especially those that include holiday areas. At a certain time of year those areas attract anything up to 1 million visitors. My hon. Friend makes the point about the police being over-stretched. It is quite impossible for...
Mr John Cordle: The hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) strongly supports the Bill. He said that those who oppose it are a lot of fanatics. I think he is entirely wrong. The police are strongly opposed to the Bill.
Mr John Cordle: The magistrates as a whole are opposed to it—
Mr John Cordle: —as are youth clubs, Churches, parents and large numbers of people in the drinking industry itself.
Mr John Cordle: Mr. Cordle rose—
Mr John Cordle: Perhaps if the hon. Gentleman attended the Anglican Church or the churches of other denominations in his constituency he would realise what opposition there is to the Bill. Those of us who oppose the Bill believe that children need protection and that they are particularly vulnerable. I am the father of four teenage children, and I know something of the dangers they face. What is...
Mr John Cordle: I understand, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but may I finish that point? When my hon. Friend the Member for Rushclitfe (Mr. Clarke) speaks from the Front Bench about small businesses, we all greatly admire the way he does so, but for a man of his calibre to introduce a Bill of this type is asking for serious trouble. Obviously there must be police surveillance. 'The Bill deals with the question of...
Mr John Cordle: The matter I wish to raise is a far cry from the subjects we have been debating today. I wish to draw to the attention of the House the disturbing story of the unhappiness which has recently befallen a constituent of mine, Mr. Dennis Edwards, and two boys, John and Ian, to whom until about April 1975 he was foster father. Mr. Edwards for the past 25 years has been an officially recognised...
Mr John Cordle: The hon. Member for Meriden (Mr. Tomlinson) made a strong plea for a consultation document, which I, too, would have much preferred to have been available deal in some of the assessments and today, if possible. It would help a great arrangements being made by the local authorities at the moment, as well as giving some instruction and help to the constituents who have written to their Members...
Mr John Cordle: Will the right hon. Gentleman comment on West Germany's rather cautionary approach to these problems that we heard about a month ago?
Mr John Cordle: Much of what I wish to say has already been said. The hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) was right to say that the debate on aid and development now has a new dimension. This has been brought about by the changes that have taken place in the countries of the Third World. Those of us who travel widely—I have been to the West Coast of Africa 41 times in the past eight years—have...
Mr John Cordle: I closely follow the views of my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, West (Mr. Mills) in respect of the extraordinarily low incomes that clergymen receive even in 1975. If we compare the salaries they receive with those that are given abroad, especially in the United States, we see that they are deplorable. However, turning to this Measure, one is always suspicious of proposals to remove old...
Mr John Cordle: I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make it illegal for people to occupy empty premises without the permission of the owner. This Bill would deal effectively and at once with the national scourge of squatting, because squatting has now become a rampant social evil. The nature and extent of the problem posed by highly organised bands of squatters causes the overwhelming...
Mr John Cordle: The housing programmes are held up because squatters move into property that is due to be demolished and/or renovated. Almost completely new and/or refurbished properties are suddenly occupied just before they are finally completed and ready for families on the housing lists who have been waiting to move in. Squatting is a menace to private individuals whose homes are invaded while they...
Mr John Cordle: I am glad that the Government have found time to discuss this important matter—
Mr John Cordle: If the Opposition have found the time I am even happier. I am sure our debate will cause relief and hope among the voluntary organisations, which are facing a very critical time in the present stringent circumstances. A most remarkable and valuable debate took place in another place, and it was yet another pointer to the fact that many hon. Members in both Houses are seriously exercised and...