Former MP for Daventry
On behalf of the Opposition, I join in the warm welcome to the Bill expressed from the Opposition Benches. The Bill brings together a great deal of previous legislation in an increasingly important field of interest and endeavour. It is only by search and by inquiry that we can study the wealth of our heritage, and great steps have been accomplished in recent years in that respect. The...
Yes. I gave my qualified blessing to sites that are designated. I said that in that sense I thought that the terms of the Bill were quite correct. However, it is difficult to say that metal detectors should not be used elsewhere, because they have been instrumental in revealing sites that might not otherwise have come to our notice. May I add one or two personal qualifications which stem...
As a member of the TCPA, I was surprised to hear the right hon. Gentleman express criticism of its report. I look forward to hearing the substance of his criticism. I recognise that he has been seeking a different mechanism to help the inner city problem. This is by way of—
I have a series of questions, Mr. Speaker. I start with my first one. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not only resources that the inner cities need? I recognise what he has done in terms of partnership agreements Is that policy being effective? Is he satisfied with the progress being made in the London docklands? Is he looking for additional ways and means of offering help...
The right hon. Gentleman is well known for his continuing criticisms of the Water Act and of the reorganisation of the whole of the water cycle, which followed our legislation in 1973. There is a certain inconsistency in much of what he said this afternoon. Although these are minor measures, I do not think that they constitute a significant step towards a better and more effective...
It has been a political decision on the part of Socialist Administrations that revaluations should not be made. In fact, we have not had a revaluation at any time since the war under a Socialist Administration. It was the late Richard Crossman who disclosed that it was a political decision which he took which persuaded the Government not to have a revaluation for rating purposes when he was...
I have recognised the general purposes of the Bill, which are to tidy up a variety of questions of rating, to bring about the more effective collection of rates, to aid the recovery of rate arrears and to assist ratepayers in need. I warmly welcome these adjustments, which will, perhaps, make the rating system more effective. I address myself to those clauses in the Bill under the heading...
I agree with my hon. Friend. The late Richard Crossman said in his memoirs that a political decision led to his deciding to recommend to his colleagues in the Cabinet that we should not have a particular valuation. But no revaluation has taken place under a Socialist Administration in the post-war years. The Conservative Party has been in trouble about revaluation. Ministers nod about that,...
