Interpretation

Part of Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Bill (Allocation of Time) – in the House of Commons at 4:09 pm on 11 February 1987.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Peter Shore Mr Peter Shore , Bethnal Green and Stepney 4:09, 11 February 1987

The Leader of the House began with his recollections of times past, especially the last occasion when he chopped and guillotined a Scottish Bill. I, too, have one or two recollections which are perhaps worth sharing with the right hon. Gentleman and the House.

I begin by saying that this is the tenth guillotine of this Parliament. No fewer than five of the 10 Bills that have been guillotined have been directed against local government. That, in itself, is evidence of the Government's open hostility to local democracy and of their determination to crib, cabin and confine local councils by limiting their expenditures and revenues, and even, as we saw two years ago in the case of the metropolitan councils, by abolishing them altogether.

This measure takes another long stride towards diminishing local democracy and increasing central Government control. I cannot find—