John Baron: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make my maiden speech today. I congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Simon) on his first speech, which I found interesting and humorous. I wish him well in his constituency and hope that his wife delivers shortly. Given what he said, I hope that she has a daughter and that he enjoys the experience. In...
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the Government do not allow local (a) residents and (b) authorities to decide on the level of local housing development in their areas.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to increase the power of local residents to counter-appeal against housing developments on green belt land.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reduce the level of regulation for small businesses.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the shortage of school places for the next academic year in (a) England and (b) Billericay.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the shortage of teachers for the next academic year in (a) England and (b) the Billericay and district constituency.
John Baron: First, I join other hon. Members in congratulating the United States on the restraint that it has shown in the face of the terrorist attack. My thoughts and prayers—indeed, those of the House generally—are with the American people at this time and, indeed, with all those who have suffered loss, not least those in my constituency. Tensions are running high in the middle east at the moment,...
John Baron: I could not agree more with the hon. Gentleman. Dialogue is terribly important, but in Northern Ireland we have a democratic process by which people can engage in dialogue through the ballot box. There are parties, politics and everyone has a vote. There is no excuse whatever for taking up arms in Northern Ireland—or, indeed, in the whole island of Ireland. I want briefly to raise two other...
John Baron: As part of the Government's anti-terrorism measures, does the Chancellor intend to release additional moneys to allow a substantial increase in police numbers? As we all know, any legislation that is passed by the House is worth while only if it can be enforced on the ground. We know that our police forces are overstretched and that crime is increasing. I believe that the additional burden of...
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to create a national register of drug dealers; and if he will make a statement.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving constables there were in the Essex police force (a) in 1997 and (b) on the most recent date for which figures are available.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what initiatives the Government plans to encourage local authorities to raise waste recycling targets; (2) what financial assistance will be given to Essex County Council to help fund waste recycling initiatives.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what initiatives the Government have to make the public more aware of the importance of waste recycling.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a moratorium on new municipal incinerators; and if she will make a statement.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of landfill tax will be given to the local authorities which are responsible for waste management, in order to fund recycling initiatives in (a) the current year and (b) 2002–03.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Essex police regarding his proposals to reform police pay and conditions.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the projected number of serving constables is in the Essex police force for (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.
John Baron: There can be little doubt that this treaty is mainly about political and economic integration and not about enlargement. If hon. Members need proof of that, they have only to look at the circumstances surrounding the Irish referendum. As we all know, before that referendum, it was widely claimed by Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament and European Union members themselves that...
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the inspector appointed by the Government to oversee the consultation exercise during the drawing up of the recent Essex waste plan forbade Essex county council from specifically excluding incinerators from the plan.
John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers inspectors appointed to oversee the drawing up of county waste plans have to overrule decisions of the councils concerned.