Andrew MacKay: No. We must cut income tax for lower-oaid workers. Let us not fiddle with the standard rate; let us raise the thresholds across the board and take the lower paid out of tax altogether. That will give them a great incentive to work. The final area in which the electorate expects much from the Government is essential services. In the midst of an economic recession, the electorate returned a...
Andrew MacKay: No. People have regretted the cuts in essential services, in hospitals and schools, but they understand why they have been made. Education is an investment in our future and I believe that more funds must be made available for our hospitals. Therefore, I hope that when we create sufficient prosperity the Government will ensure that more money is allocated in areas where there is considerable...
Andrew MacKay: Has my right hon. Friend had an opportunity today to study the consequences of the Italian general election, where, under a system of proportional representation, the Italian people will now suffer another chaotic minority coalition Government?
Andrew MacKay: The hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Roberts) covered a wide area of housing policy and I hope that he will forgive me if, in my brief remarks, I stick to issues that are directly relevant to the Bill, which I hope will receive a Second Reading. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's comments were addressed primarily to his own Front Bench in his desire to see an alternative Labour party policy on...
Andrew MacKay: My major local authority, Bracknell district council, has about 12,000 local authority houses on its books. I am pleased to say that it has sold nearly 2,500 of them. With the proceeds, it is building more new local authority houses, particularly for first-time buyers. To return to the point, the great majority of those who buy their council houses are unable to buy in the private sector,...
Andrew MacKay: I should not recommend that the hon. Gentleman's newly Labour-controlled local authority breach the law and I am sure that he would not encourage it to do so. Many people have been waiting an extra year for the larger discounts, which can cause problems as they become a year older and their circumstances change. They will be able to buy immediately. My final point relates to adapted houses....
Andrew MacKay: rose—
Andrew MacKay: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Andrew MacKay: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any proposals to alter the taxation of benefits in kind.
Andrew MacKay: When the Chancellor of the Exchequer considers further alterations in the taxation of benefits in kind, notwithstanding that we are not in the business of encouraging artificial perks, will he take account of the fact that many of my constituents, and many other hon. Members' constituents, are very concerned that, when they do a high business mileage per year, they are out of pocket through...
Andrew MacKay: Does my right hon. Friend agree that before we debate the controversial matter of Members' pay we should ascertain the pay and perks of certain Fleet street editors before making our decision? That would help us to make a decision on what we are worth.
Andrew MacKay: Is my right hon. Friend aware that again this afternoon, during Home Office questions, a large number of Conservative Members expressed their considerable anxiety about the disfranchisement of electors who are away on holiday during elections? Does he agree with me that it is important that we should have a debate before we rise for the summer recess, bearing in mind that there will be...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he next expects to meet the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss industrial relations.
Andrew MacKay: When my right hon. Friend meets Mr. Len Murray, will he explain to him that the majority of this democratically elected Parliament, the majority of electors and the majority of trade union members believe that it is in the best interests of good industrial relations that there should be compulsory secret ballots before strikes are called? Will my right hon. Friend reflect on the fact that on...
Andrew MacKay: Bearing in mind early-day motion 90 in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham), and the considerable and rising public concern about crimes of violence, will my right hon. Friend say whether it will be possible to have a debate soon after the House returns in October on increasing the punishments for such crimes? [That this House notes the result of the...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 26 July.
Andrew MacKay: During her busy day will my right hon. Friend take time to welcome the decision of the TUC to meet the Secretary of State for Employment to discuss the operation of union political funds and the political levy? Does she agree that, as only 39 per cent. of trade union members voted for the Labour party at the general election, it is high time the trade unions considered severing their links...
Andrew MacKay: asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 July.
Andrew MacKay: Has my right hon. Friend noticed that, in addition to the Royal College of Nursing strongly supporting the Government's decision to set up this independent review body, with a no-strike clause, the overwhelming majority of patients in this country consider that, as we live in a civilised society, it is an absolute obscenity that many patients' lives should be put at risk because of possible...
Andrew MacKay: Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will be most welcome in my constituency, especially in Bracknell, and that my constituents will believe that the decision was taken not for sentimental or emotional reasons but because we have the best weapons system available anywhere in the world to offer to this country?
