Mr Gareth Thomas: That announcement is particularly welcome in the light of the Conservative party's mismanagement of rural transport. First, does my right hon. Friend agree that, when public money is spent on matters such as rural transport, effective consultation is essential if services are to meet needs? That is certainly my experience in north Wales. Secondly, can my right hon. Friend give us some...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Will the hon. and learned Gentleman give way?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does the hon. and learned Gentleman not accept that, in government, his party consistently and progressively tightened eligibility for legal aid, so that fewer and fewer people could receive it? Does he accept that that is no answer to the problem of how one contains public expenditure in the sector? Does he not accept that the Government are at least prepared to grasp the nettle and to match...
Mr Gareth Thomas: At least two other Labour Members are anxious to speak in the debate, so I shall simply make some very brief comments. I declare an interest as a member of the Bar, and welcome the Bill. It is not a cost-cutting Bill, but a Bill which will control the spending of public money. The Government should not have to apologise for the need to refocus public money, to ensure that it is properly...
Mr Gareth Thomas: When he last discussed the problems facing the road haulage industry with representatives of the industry. [82788]
Mr Gareth Thomas: May I express support for my right hon. Friend's policy of promoting dialogue with the industry, rather than the confrontation pursued by certain groups within the industry, not to mention by the Conservative party? However, does he accept that the significant increases in fuel duty have imposed burdens, particularly on smaller road hauliers in more remote areas; including the successful...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I regret that the debate has been so short, because there have been some interesting and stimulating contributions. I am pleased that some English Members have had the opportunity to speak. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on his thought-provoking comments about the future constitutional position. I found his remarks about an asymmetrical settlement...
Mr Gareth Thomas: The decision concerning deferral has been widely welcomed by farmers in my constituency, and is an indication that this Government genuinely listen to beef producers. However, does my hon. Friend believe that there is a need to ask some searching questions of our European competitors on their charging policy in relation to hygiene costs and specified risk material removal to ensure fair...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my right hon. Friend agree that the health service in Wales faces many challenges that Assembly Members need to address in a coolheaded and workmanlike manner? Does he share the sense of dismay that many people in Wales feel at the fact that Plaid Cymru and Conservative Members engaged in the childish tactic of walking out of the National Assembly for Wales yesterday? That tactic was...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am sure that the right hon. and learned Gentleman will have anticipated my question and I shall be interested to hear his answer. Would not that strict party control exercised by the Whips be a feature of an elected second Chamber, even one that did not have an Executive element, bearing in mind the fact that the need for enforcing party discipline and unity would still be an argument that...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am following with great interest my hon. Friend's cogent points. However, is he not really advocating a system in which all Members of the second Chamber are legitimate, but in which some are more legitimate than others?
Mr Gareth Thomas: The debate has been genuinely interesting. It has helped me to formulate my views—albeit tentative ones—on a subject that raises difficult issues, especially when one deals with the vexed question whether the second Chamber should be elected or nominated. I had thought that I was reasonably knowledgeable on the subject, but, having heard the wide range of rather good-quality...
Mr Gareth Thomas: What research he has commissioned on the impact of increases in funding of police forces on their performance. [85575]
Mr Gareth Thomas: I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. If there is no such direct link, presumably efficiency has a large part to play in terms of performance. That being so, what steps does my right hon. Friend suggest could be taken to improve the operational efficiency of the police with a view to making them more visible, particularly in market towns?
Mr Gareth Thomas: I understand the argument that my hon. Friend the Minister is making, but perhaps I could press him on one matter. How does he anticipate that those rather important cases brought under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be financed in future?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Denbighshire county council is one of the smaller unitary authorities in Wales. It is a creature of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 and local government reorganisation. Its birth and early years have been particularly difficult as a result of local government reorganisation, and the disastrous legacy of debt that Denbighshire inherited from one of its predecessor authorities, Rhuddlan...
Mr Gareth Thomas: What steps he plans to take to ensure that broadcasters improve reception of television and radio in Wales. [87203]
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. He is correct to say that the Welsh topography presents broadcasters with particular difficulties. What assurances can he give in that regard? Although digital television might provide an answer, current coverage remains patchy. Is it not essential to ensure that broadcasters improve coverage, which currently reaches no more than 70 per...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will agree that the legal system has progressed quite a long way from the days when it was the instrument of official suppression of the Welsh language in Wales. None the less, does he accept that there is still a long way to go before the principles enunciated in the Welsh Language Act 1993 are realised?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does the Secretary of State agree that, before we even begin to think of devolution as a process, not a change, the Assembly must be seen to exercise its existing powers effectively? Does he further agree that it can do so only if Wales is sufficiently funded under the Barnett formula, and if sufficient attention is given to matched fnding, particularly in relation to objective 1 funding?
