Mr Gareth Thomas: There is a considerable legacy of disquiet about how that review was conducted. Many commentators in Wales feel that some parts of the country, particularly in the north, were badly dealt with. I am confident that the Government will pursue the interests of all regions of Wales as vigorously as possible.
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am aware that the position in my hon. Friend's constituency is especially severe. It has a problem of peripherality, which is shared by the other areas that I mentioned—a feature which is unique to Wales—and, as the Welsh Affairs Select Committee said in its recent report, in Wales there has been an imbalance in economic activity and inward investment. Eastern areas of Wales—one...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I have followed the hon. Gentleman's speech with great interest and agreed with much of what he said until he embarked on his tirade against Europe. If the European approach to the social chapter and the regulatory culture of Europe are so destructive to the small and medium enterprise sector, why do our competitors—Germany is the prime example—have such strong small and medium enterprise...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Like the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton), I had assumed that we would speak to the more interestingly titled motion, "Enterprising the UK—The Small Business Agenda". Perhaps it matters not, because any discussion of small and medium-sized enterprises inextricably involves discussion of the benefits of promoting the enterprise culture throughout the United Kingdom. That will be...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I congratulate my hon. Friend on his announcement of no less than £1 billion extra for health spending in Wales. Does he agree that tackling the chronic levels of ill health in Wales requires a strategic approach, and that the pledge of extra money will go a long way towards committing money for that strategy?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is now a general expectation in Wales that the National Assembly for Wales will improve democratic accountability, ensure better value for public money and help deliver a proper and effective regional economic policy? Does he agree that, if the Assembly fulfils those expectations, it will pay for itself several times over? Does he agree also that, if...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my hon. Friend agree that, whatever the leader of the Bar may say, the majority of those of progressive opinion within the legal profession accept the need to modernise the profession, eliminate unnecessary restrictive practices and improve access to justice?
Mr Gareth Thomas: I welcome the Bill whole-heartedly. It is part of the Government's wider programme to modernise local government. In my view, it strikes the correct balance between local accountability and initiative and an entirely necessary element of oversight and scrutiny by central Government, and, significantly, by the National Assembly for Wales. The abolition of the inflexible and discredited CCT...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my hon. Friend agree that, given the far-reaching nature of the powers of the National Assembly and the difficulties that we face in Wales because of the absence of a national printed press and difficulties with television reception, it is entirely right and proper that public money should be spent to promote knowledge of this important institution? It will change the nature of this...
Mr Gareth Thomas: The debate has focused, quite understandably, on issues of the Welsh economy. I shall take a different course, however, and deal briefly with two matters. The first is our priceless national asset in Wales—the Welsh language and its future role, particularly in the National Assembly for Wales. Secondly, I shall deal briefly with some aspects of the constitutional future, and the...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I agree entirely. As I said, I should like some clarification from Ministers on the issue. It will be interesting to see how a Welsh debate, such as this one, will be conducted in 10 or 20 years. We are in a time of great constitutional change, and it is not clear where it is taking us. I am rather sceptical about the idea of a Europe of the regions. There is considerable loyalty to the idea...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that remark. I entirely agree that that would be a worthwhile area of study. The Germans are very interested in what is going on in the United Kingdom. I was told by a member of the German Foreign Ministry that devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would make us a more normal country in European terms. That is a telling remark. Our regime is...
Mr Gareth Thomas: If she will make a statement on the procedural consequences for the House of Welsh devolution. [72133]
Mr Gareth Thomas: My right hon. Friend may be aware that it is reputed that St. David drank nothing stronger than water. Will she take it from me that, this year, many people in Wales will be raising a glass to our patron saint with particular enthusiasm, given the imminent arrival of the National Assembly for Wales? However, does she agree that it is essential, even in a devolved era, for Wales to have a...
Mr Gareth Thomas: While welcoming the environmental measures in the Budget, may I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to a serious oil spill that occurred off the coast of north Wales last weekend? It involved the offshore operator BHP, and was the second such incident in nine months. Given the growing concern all over the United Kingdom about marine oil pollution, does my right hon. Friend acknowledge that...
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my hon. Friend accept that when farm incomes are plummeting, particularly in less-favoured areas, the charges imposed by the Meat Hygiene Service are regarded as disproportionately high and indeed punitive? Will he undertake to look again at the matter with a view to mitigating the burden that is imposed, particularly on small farmers.
Mr Gareth Thomas: I welcome the Government's broad strategic approach, which is consistent with their desire to create a society that is both enterprising and fair. I want to concentrate on two issues. I want to discuss what the Budget does for pensioners, and its ground-breaking efforts to promote environmental objectives through the tax system. I shall make particular reference to the climate change levy,...
Mr Gareth Thomas: I am afraid that I will not because, with respect, I am coming to the end of my speech. The Budget is to be welcomed. It provides a substantial boost to enterprise and fairness; I welcome it wholeheartedly.
Mr Gareth Thomas: Does my hon. Friend agree that the decision taken early in the Parliament to give operational independence to the Bank of England has been of major strategic importance because it has engendered an environment of stability that is the absolute antithesis of the boom-and-bust cycles that were prevalent under the previous Government?
Mr Gareth Thomas: Before my hon. Friend leaves the subject of the Liberal Democrats, will he tell the House whether he agrees that part of their problem is that they have not formed a Government in living memory, so have not been subjected to the disciplines of a major party in rationally formulating policy?
