Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has had concerning implementation of EEC regulation (543/69) on drivers' hours and distances.
Andrew MacKay: Since, between the Department and the EEC, some 27 documents and regulations on this subject have now been issued, when will the Minister publish a concise pamphlet so that the small hauliers can understand what is going on, bearing in mind that the Prime Minister has said that he wants to cut down the amount of form-filling as quickly as possible?
Andrew MacKay: Bearing in mind the substantial amount of repairs needed for this and other motorways in the Midlands, may I ask whether the Minister is satisfied that there was no negligence during the original construction? Can he give some guarantee—or at least offer some hope—to the taxpayers and to those who drive on the motorways that the fresh repairs will last for a longer period than the...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the present availability of building society mortgages.
Andrew MacKay: Is the Secretary of State aware that there is still a desperate shortage of mortgages and that, although the figures might be the best ever, that is because of inflation? That is one reason why prices have gone up so much, and another is the Community Land Act and development land tax. What will the right hon. Gentleman do to make mortgages more easily available to people waiting to buy but...
Andrew MacKay: Is it true that the increase in jobs created by this scheme will be dramatically and tragically offset by the redundancies that small businesses will experience in the next few days as a result of the dramatic increase in MLR? Is it not ironic that on the day that the right hon. Gentleman has announced measures to try to help small businesses and create jobs there has also been this panic...
Andrew MacKay: Bearing in mind that during the debate on the Bingham report considerable concern was expressed in all parts of the House about the actions and behaviour of certain members of the Government in office in the period concerned, and bearing in mind that the Prime Minister said earlier this afternoon that there was to be some report to the House next week, can the Lord President give the House an...
Andrew MacKay: I begin by declaring an interest as a partner in a Birmingham elate agency and a consultant to a house building firm. However, I also speak as a not-so-sharp professional, in a rather cheap pin-striped suit. I agree with much of what the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch) said, but I do not concur with his well-known and long-standing views on the legal profession. My hon. Friend the...
Andrew MacKay: I am delighted to be enlightened by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross). I had a very pressing constituency engagement on the Friday of our party conference and was not present. I shall be delighted in due course to pass on to him the details that we have. It proves that my party is farsighted on these matters and is looking into them. I hope that in his reply the Minister of...
Andrew MacKay: We all know that one can obtain insurance at a price for almost anything in this country. What worries many small firms is that the cost of the premium will be so great as either to put them out of business or substantially to increase their fees, which will make them non-competitive. When the Minister earlier suggested that he had had consultations with the insurance companies, which I am...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for the annual cost of the Swansea Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre; how many people are employed at the centre; and what were the equivalent figures under the previous non-centralised system.
Andrew MacKay: How does the Minister justify the Secretary of State's statement that the scrapping of the vehicle licence will cut the costs of Swansea? Will we not still be required to have a registration document which we will have to renew annually? Will we not still have to show Swansea a current MOT certificate each year and an insurance certificate? Bearing all that in mind, how will this move cut...
Andrew MacKay: Is the Minister aware that BBC Radio Birmingham was set up eight years ago? Is she further aware that during that time we have not been able to receive Radio Birmingham clearly? Is she aware that her answer today will be regarded as a mere fob off, as have all answers in the past eight years?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements for paying supplementary benefit during strikes.
Andrew MacKay: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all parts of the House there is considerable concern about the increasing number of strikes where, first, there has not been a ballot of the workers concerned? Bearing that in mind, and the fact that most hon. Members agree in principle with the paying of supplementary benefit to strikers, should not he be considering in his review the making of an...
Andrew MacKay: Is the Secretary of State aware that the Birmingham ambulance drivers' dispute still continues despite the intervention of his Ministry? Will he make a statement today about what he intends to do to bring this dispute to an early conclusion, because it is causing a great deal of concern to many people in the medical world and elsewhere in Birmingham?
Andrew MacKay: Does the Leader of the House appreciate that when the Prime Minister returns from Brussels, he might have to impose sanctions against British Leyland as he has against Fords? Will he therefore explain from whom the Government intend to buy their cars in the coming year?
Andrew MacKay: When the House returns after the recess, will the Government introduce legislation to implement the policy proposed in Labour's programme for 1976 which the Lord President will recall was backed by an overwhelming number at the Labour Party conference? If the answer is"No," does it mean that the Government have completely fallen out with Labour Party conference policy?
Andrew MacKay: Does the Prime Minister appreciate that in last night's votes the House clearly showed that it did not approve of the policy of arbitrary sanctions? Will he make it clear to the House this afternoon that he considers this policy to be immoral blackmail, which is quite intolerable?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Rhodesia.
