Mr Jack Dormand: The hon. Gentleman has made some sensible suggestions, but who is to provide the money? The Minister is a devotee of private enterprise. That is the Conservative's philosophy, but it is also the kind of policy for which the Labour party argues. I should have thought that the system itself, according to the lion. Gentleman's philosophy, would provide the opportunity and the money.
Mr Jack Dormand: The nature of this evening's debate and indeed all other debates on pensions have shown us all how complicated pensions matters are. That applies to all previous debates on pensions. In those circumstances, and in view of the fact that I shall not be returning to the next Parliament, that demonstrates the difficulties of administering the scheme. Tonight, I should like to pay tribute to the...
Mr Jack Dormand: I wish to add my disappointment to that of my right hon. Friends the Members for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) and for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) in relation to the resettlement grant. The reference of that and the other matters to the TSRB is a stalling exercise. I would have thought that the House could decide those matters. As has been said, the sum involved is negligible...
Mr Jack Dormand: asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he next proposes to discuss with the chairman of British Coal the progress of British Coal Enterprise Ltd.
Mr Jack Dormand: Will the Secretary of State make it clear to the chairman that no one really believes the stories about the so-called wild success of British Coal Enterprise Ltd.? Will he also take the opportunity to re-examine the whole scheme with a view to replacing the thousands of jobs that have been lost in mining areas? At the same time, will he stop the closure of pits until alternative employment is...
Mr Jack Dormand: asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he has any plans for the transfer of Civil Service posts to the northern region; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Jack Dormand: Is it not a fact that for the eight years that this Government have been in power they have shed an ocean of crocodile tears about the high unemployment in the northern region? Their hypocrisy has been demonstrated by the fact that during that period they have deliberately decided not to transfer a single Civil Service post to the north. Will the Minister take down from the shelf the Hardman...
Mr Jack Dormand: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to seek to change the length of time taken by coroners in dealing with inquests.
Mr Jack Dormand: Is the Minister aware that that is a very unsatisfactory and complacent reply? He really must consider urgently the appointment of more coroners. Is he aware that some of the implications are not immediately noticeable — for example, the delay in receiving
Mr Jack Dormand: In view of the overwhelming evidence that unemployment affects the health of those without a job, confirmed in yet another medical report issued last week, will the Prime Minister say whether she feels any personal responsibility for the ill-health, some of it very serious, of thousands of people in this country, arising directly from her economic policies?
Mr Jack Dormand: Perhaps the Minister will explain in what way the Bill has been helpful. We had a very depressing speech from the Leader of the House and that of the Treasury Minister has been even more depressing. They have made it clear that they are not prepared to take on board suggestions and proposals put forward from both sides of the House. One appreciates the Minister's argument that certain issues...
Mr Jack Dormand: Does that exclude the possibility of a coal-fired power station in the north-east, which has the strongest case of all, in having higher unemployment than any other part of the United Kingdom except Northern Ireland? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British Coal Enterprise Ltd. seems to be having no effect whatever in the north-east of England, and will he give some attention to that?
Mr Jack Dormand: In the little time left to the right hon. Lady before her defeat in the next general election, what does she intend to do to repair the damage to personal freedoms, to reverse the trend towards centralisation of power and to restore some regard for truth in public affairs?
Mr Jack Dormand: Will the Secretary of State go further than he went in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wansbeck (Mr. Thompson) and address himself to the unemployment problem in the north-east? Productivity is greater than ever in our coalfield and it would be a suitable place for a coal-fired power station. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman accepts that it would be cheaper to build and run a...
Mr Jack Dormand: asked the Secretary of State For Transport if he will convene and attend a meeting of representatives of cycling organisations to discuss safety and related matters; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Jack Dormand: I welcome that announcement from the Minister who I know has a genuine interest in cycling. However, as 350 cyclists are killed and more than 6,000 seriously injured every year, is there not now an urgent need to reconsider what must be done in such a serious situation? I am not blaming any particular section of road traffic, but will the Minister consider three aspects of the problem? First,...
Mr Jack Dormand: asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further proposals he has to deal with drink-drive offences.
Mr Jack Dormand: As more than a thousand people are killed every year as a result of drinking and driving, when will the Government realise that publicity campaigns and existing penalties are simply inadequate to deter drivers from drinking? In addition to introducing heavier penalties, will the Secretary of State bring in measures that will substanitally increase the possibility of detection? Does he agree...
Mr Jack Dormand: Does the Minister realise that there are other airports in the northern region besides Manchester, and that the greatest needs are at Newcastle and Teesside?
Mr Jack Dormand: And Carlisle, as my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) said. If the Government are serious about narrowing the north-south divide, or eliminating it, will the Minister give priority to those three airports?