Mr Gareth Thomas: I am grateful for the opportunity to make my maiden speech so early in the Parliament. I think that I am the first "new Labour" Member to make a maiden speech today. The constituency that I have the privilege to represent results from the most recent parliamentary boundary review, which brought about major changes to the constituencies that were formerly contained in the old county council...
Mr Gareth Thomas: The central question is how to maximise support for a yes vote in the referendum. As a representative of a party that rather grandiosely and incorrectly describes itself as the party of Wales, the hon. Gentleman should accept that that is the central question. Does he accept that a multi-option referendum would engender confusion and deny that central goal?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my right hon. Friend agree that the spending review must ensure that efficiency becomes the watchword of the Government? Does he agree that the Opposition's record is one of waste and inefficiency, as exemplified by the BSE and poll tax fiascos?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Will my right hon. Friend find time for a debate on how to improve the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service, and in particular how to improve co-ordination between the activities of the police and those of the CPS, without undermining the independence of the CPS, in order to make inroads into the appalling statistic that only one crime in 50 results in a conviction?
Mr Gareth Thomas: rose—
Mr Gareth Thomas: On the question of tax burdens on pension funds—
Mr Gareth Thomas: rose—
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that his party's claim, rather late in the day, to be the pensioners' champion is regarded by many older people as extraordinary effrontery? It lies uncomfortably with reality and with the previous Government's record, which included, among other things, the imposition of value added tax on domestic fuel—something which hit pensioners very badly.
Mr Gareth Thomas: I welcome the Finance Bill and I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Chancellor. In marked contrast to Budgets produced by the previous Government, it is long term in its vision. I commend that long-termism. The Budget is long term in respect of growth and stability, reducing high unemployment, tackling inflation and, perhaps most significantly, in its approach to the environment. After...
Mr Gareth Thomas: The Budget had all the hallmarks of statesmanship, and statesmanship requires drawing a balance between the need for an effective, competitive economy and the long-term effects on the environment. I shall now focus on specific measures that may interest the hon. Gentleman and are of particular relevance to my constituency where mineral extraction forms an important part of the economic...
Mr Gareth Thomas: As I said earlier, the Bill has taken a judicious approach. It sends clear signals that environmental bads will be the subject of separate tax regimes, and in the long term it is possible that the tax system will encourage environmental goods. It is eminently sensible and it is what the country wants. We all have a stake in our environment. Nothing can be more long term than the Budget's...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I have finished my speech.
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does the hon. Gentleman accept that it is just as much in the interests of the no campaign to have the referendums in the two countries conducted on different days as it is in the interests of the yes campaign, bearing in mind the fact that a major part of the rhetorical attack by the Conservative party on the Welsh devolution proposals was the drawing of invidious comparisons between the...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I welcome the initiative of the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr. Dafis) in securing this debate on an issue of great importance to all the people of Wales. However, I found his remarks to the effect that the Government do not care about agriculture not only inaccurate but rather offensive, especially to Members of Parliament such as me who represent rural constituencies and who have a good...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I have been waiting patiently for some recognition from the hon. and learned Gentleman that there is a crisis in the legal aid system and that public confidence in the legal aid system should be restored as a priority. It can then be seen to operate not by way of bestowing a privilege on the poor but to ensure that there is an equal playing field between middle-income England and poorer...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I declare an interest not as a fat cat but as someone who practised at the provincial Bar for a number of years. I have also had experience in the international insurance industry, which may interest my hon. Friend the Minister. I well understand why the Government have embarked on the process of the long-overdue reform of the civil justice and legal aid system. If there is not exactly a...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am conscious of the topicality of this motion as Christmas draws near and increasing demands are put on the employees of the Royal Mail. I must begin by paying tribute to the servants of the Royal Mail and to Post Office workers not only in my constituency but throughout north Wales and all parts of the United Kingdom. They work hard in sometimes difficult circumstances to provide what has...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my hon. Friend agree that that smacks of a rather unrealistic expectation? Given the geography of north Wales, with which he is well familiar, what does he have to say about mail delivery to rural communities? North Wales has widely scattered communities that are very far away from Chester.
Mr Gareth Thomas: I felt that the pressure on the Official Reporters was sufficiently severe without adding to their burdens by mentioning that extremely long place name.
Mr Gareth Thomas: The right hon. Gentleman is in danger of missing the point. Making the Bill too prescriptive in terms of the powers to be accorded to the assembly runs counter to the very principle behind it, which is to provide democratic accountability to match the administrative devolution that has gone on apace in Wales for the past 18 years.
