Mr Clifford Forsythe: At the risk of losing friends on the Opposition Benches and gaining them on the Labour Benches, I generally welcome what seems to be a balanced and fair Budget, in which the Chancellor has attempted to be both even-handed and, in some spheres, relatively imaginative. That said, I have misgivings about a number of things, and it is on those that I shall concentrate. Although I will naturally...
Mr Clifford Forsythe: That is a very fair point, and I hope that the Government pay attention to it. It is essential that that continuity be secured. The air passenger duty is a great bone of contention in Northern Ireland. I welcome the fact that for economy class it has been reduced to £5, and that for travel within the European Union it remains at a level £10. People may consider that the business-class...
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does the Minister agree that, in apprenticeship schemes and, therefore, in lifelong learning, priority should be given to those who take the practical rather than the academic route so that they obtain the skills and qualifications to enable them to succeed in their chosen field?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: The Minister will be aware that there are a number of commissions in Northern Ireland. If there is no agreement on decommissioning and the Assembly is suspended, will all aspects of the agreement be suspended, including the Equality Commission and the early release of prisoners?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: I seek a little clarification from the Minister following what he said about including Northern Ireland in the Bill. The Bill refers specifically to Northern Ireland in a number of places. In clause 78(4), paragraphs (a) to (j) refer to Northern Ireland. In clause 78(5), paragraphs (a) to (d) do so. At the end of the Bill, where we have items that are to be deleted, a part refers to it. I...
Mr Clifford Forsythe: I did not hear the Minister mention Northern Ireland. Will he tell the House the position in that regard?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does the Minister know that one in four pensioners in Northern Ireland are on income support? Although there is parity of benefits in Northern Ireland, unfortunately the price of food and fuel for everyone, including pensioners, is much dearer. In addition, there is no concessionary travel in Northern Ireland. Will the Minister please take notice of the report of the Transport Sub-Committee,...
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does my hon. Friend agree that the fact that some clubs are suggesting changes in the Irish league might cause even greater problems in future?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: I am sure that the Minister will join the Prime Minister in agreeing that sure start is a vital element in looking after children and families. Will he assure the House that all the money allocated by the Treasury for that programme in Northern Ireland will indeed go towards its implementation?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Is the Minister telling the House that the Bill will not be introduced in Northern Ireland, except by the Assembly? If we suppose, for the sake of argument, that there is no agreement and no Assembly, are the Government saying that the legislation will never be introduced in Northern Ireland?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Will the Secretary of State give way?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: It is an important point for Northern Ireland. Does the Bill in its entirety extend to Northern Ireland?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: I should like to ask the Minister a few questions. New clause 2 (1) refers to the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Minister". Is that a Northern Ireland Assembly Minister? If it means a Minister from the Assembly, why does the new clause not say that? New clause 2(2) (a) refers to arrangements for making any necessary financial adjustments". Will the Minister explain in what...
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Why is that not stated in the Bill? Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office are Northern Ireland Ministers. Why does not the Bill say Northern Ireland Assembly Ministers?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does not the hon. Gentleman think it an absolute disgrace that if the murderer of the Roman Catholic gentleman from my constituency, who was sitting outside a Gaelic club when he was murdered, is brought to justice, he will be released in two years, after all the condemnation of that murder?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does my hon. Friend remember the Child Support Agency legislation, which this House enthusiastically passed and now enthusiastically condemns?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: The Minister will be aware how important these matters will be in future, perhaps in the near future. Is he aware that 88 per cent. of those on the electoral list are registered with the car registry for driving licences in Coleraine? If that is taken into account, it could ease the time scale for voting. Will the Minister take that into account, in considering identification, for instance?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Does the Minister agree that it is not good planning simply to pick a quarry in the middle of a village and fill it full of rubbish? Does he further agree that it would be advisable to take the problems of dumping in old or former quarries into consideration and to check the roads? Apparently, traffic volume has not been taken into account, even in relation to planning permissions.
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Given that responsibility for the Bannbridge bomb has not yet been claimed by the Continuity Army Council, can the Minister tell the House whether or not the allegations that the IRA planted that bomb are true?
Mr Clifford Forsythe: Can the Minister tell us whether members of the commission would be in attendance at a controversial parade to try to sort things out if something went wrong?