Development Projects or Schemes

Part of Orders of the Day — Natural Heritage (Scotland) Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 12:15 pm on 24 June 1991.

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Photo of Mr Tam Dalyell Mr Tam Dalyell , Linlithgow 12:15, 24 June 1991

What did it say?

The Daily Telegraph continues: So far Mr. Heseltine, Environment Secretary, one of the architects of the 1981 Act and therefore of the SSSI system, has not become involved. He never did become involved in anything that he did not want to become involved in. The Department of the Environment has said the procedure will not be imposed on England. If it is such a good procedure, why is it not being imposed on England? There may be differences. Could we be told the difference? I am waiting. There is a long way to go. I have a substantial speech to make, and if hon. Members wish to go to their beds, all they have to do is put pressure on their Whips.

I give a public undertaking that, if we adjourn the debate now, the next time round I will not talk for more than 10 minutes. I am dead serious about this, because there are large issues at stake. Once before, I have kept the House of Commons up, all night, and that was over retrospective sanctions on Iran. It was the first U-turn that the right hon. Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher) ever agreed to.