Andrew MacKay: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, due to the Community Land Act, there is a desperate shortage of housing land for builders to purchase, and that, as a result, there will be increases in the price of houses that will cause suffering to the young first-time house buyers that he is trying to help and protect?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will advise local authorities to circulate details of each phase of the urban aid programme not only to established voluntary organisations but to self-help bodies, community groups and neighbourhood councils as well.
Andrew MacKay: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that voluntary organisations, local residents and local bodies normally know best how their local environment can be improved? If he does, will he take a stage further his original answer and ensure that the Department monitors carefully each local authority's contacts with local voluntary organisations?
Andrew MacKay: Does the Minister agree that the long-term health of the British motor industry will not be helped by artificially controlling imports of foreign cars from Japan and elsewhere?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Trade of he will make a statement on the future of the cost escalation scheme for exports.
Andrew MacKay: Does the Minister appreciate the concern felt in a number of manufacturing and export companies about the future of this scheme? Is he aware that they are particularly worried about the rumours that next spring the scheme will be scrapped completely and that they are surprised that this should be the case when the Chancellor of the Exchequer has suggested that the rate of inflation will be in...
Andrew MacKay: Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Many of us have taken note of the Prime Minister's wish to be asked substantive Questions, and I have tabled a Question asking him when he next intends to meet officers of the National Union of Mineworkers. That is something which, in view of the ballot of the mineworkers last week I should have thought was of national importance, and I was...
Andrew MacKay: Is the Minister aware that the majority of residents in the Midlands would be dismayed if vast sums were spent on building this motorway in these difficult times instead of merely having certain bypasses?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative arrangements exist within his Department for dealing with urban deprivation.
Andrew MacKay: Does the Minister agree that what he described in his answer is little more than a comic operation? Will he confirm that he will pass anything that is left of it over to the Department of the Environment, because people in urban areas are becoming very worried that the Government are all talk and no go on this matter?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements on 17th November.
Andrew MacKay: Bearing in mind the tragic deaths of which we have learned today, and bearing in mind, too, the chaotic and inadequate state of our firefighting services, will the Prime Minister spend a little time today considering whether he is still satisfied that the Home Secretary is capable of producing a quick and satisfactory solution to the negotiations with the firemen's union?
Andrew MacKay: Is the Minister aware that there will he a further reduction in the number of houses built in the private sector next year because of the decreasing supply of land that has resulted from the disastrous Community Land Act? Does he realise that those who will suffer most will be the first-time buyers whom the Minister professes to want to help, because costs will go up as a result of supply and...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 29th November.
Andrew MacKay: During his busy day, will the Prime Minister find time to confirm the fascinating report in The Times today that states that when the Prime Minister met the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party yesterday he remonstrated with it and told its members that they owed their position in this place to the Liberal Party? Is not the reality that the Liberal Party owes its existence to the...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average weekly wage for manual workers; and if he is satisfied with the method of calculation of this average.
Andrew MacKay: Is the Minister aware that statistics can mean all things to all men and that some employers would like to know whether these statistics include overtime? Is he also aware that the statistics have been causing considerable problems in wage negotiations and have led to inflationary wage claims?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will be presenting to Parliament the report on cherished numbers; and whether he will make a statement.
Andrew MacKay: Is the Minister aware that many people are concerned that cherished numbers may not survive? Does he agree that this harmless but eccentric practice might even make a reasonable profit for the authorities if it were continued?
Andrew MacKay: Will the Lord President indicate when we are likely to have the long-overdue debate on race relations? When he answers the question, will he take into account that many hon. Members on both sides of the House would appreciate a debate in the near future on this important subject?
