Derek Hussey: Madam Speaker — [Laughter.]
Derek Hussey: Yes. On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wish to refer to Standing Order 2(a). [Laughter.] Of course, I wish to be associated with the remarks that have been made, but I do have a couple of items of business to leave with you as we depart this place, some hoping to return, and others moving on to do other things. Can you confirm whether Members will receive Bound Volumes of the Hansard...
Derek Hussey: I declare an interest as a member of the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade and as a publican.
Derek Hussey: I stress, publican.
Derek Hussey: Madam Speaker, I would also ask you to note that if the issue goes to a vote, I will not take part in it because I have a pecuniary interest. [Laughter.] The whole issue of surrender —
Derek Hussey: There is no surrender. The whole issue of surrender is not just an issue for the trade. It affects a great deal in society. Arlene Foster told us that there are 1,938 current licences. If someone wants to open a new pub or off-sales, he must first purchase an existing licence and apply to the court for a new licence by surrendering the existing licence. The court can then decide whether to...
Derek Hussey: Will the Member give way again?
Derek Hussey: I have not. [Laughter.] Does the Member agree that the obvious social engineering in draft PPS 14 prevents maintenance of extended families on family land in rural areas and results in the enforced corralling of rural dwellers into settlements? Does he agree that it assists private developers in effecting rampant increases in house prices, and, as such, is to be condemned?
Derek Hussey: I declare an interest as a member of the Western Education and Library Board’s controlled schools working group, which was once called the small schools working group; as a member of the boards of governors of Gortin Primary School and Erganagh Primary School — both small rural schools; and as a former teacher in a rural secondary school, namely Castlederg High School. We have held some...
Derek Hussey: I support the amendment, although I have a greater affinity with the original motion, which concentrates on the area that I am concerned about. On 14 December 2006, Alistair Darling made a statement to the House of Commons on the Post Office. He said: “We will therefore consider what role local authorities in England and the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland...
Derek Hussey: Killeen does not have a church. However, the orange hall is directly opposite the post office. That post office is truly at the heart of the community. Postwatch has described how many of our rural post offices are at the heart of communities. The closure of a rural post office can result in problems for disadvantaged residents and those who live in the surrounding area when they try to...
Derek Hussey: It is my understanding that the ratio of DARD civil servants to farmers is between 1:7 and 1:8. Is there a degree of self-protectionism from the Department in that it must generate red tape in order, at times, to justify its existence?
Derek Hussey: On a point of order. [Interruption.]
Derek Hussey: On a point of order.
Derek Hussey: I would like to raise a point of order under Standing Order 2(a). Madam Speaker, you said that if any Member rose to make a point of order, they were to name the relevant Standing Order. That constantly does not happen in the House. Thank you.
Derek Hussey: I declare that I am a member of my local district policing partnership, which may be relevant. The issue that we are considering is the provision of a world-class training and education facility for the Police Service. My late, younger, brother did his training in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Currently provision is at Garnerville. My memories of Garnerville go back to my days at college in...
Derek Hussey: I apologise for my absence when the motion and the amendment were being moved during the earlier part of the debate. I understand that the amendment has been accepted, which I welcome. My constituency colleague, Mr Buchanan, has referred to one of the areas that is a particular concern of mine in my home town of Castlederg. However, Members should remember that it is not that long since the...
Derek Hussey: Surely, with regard to part-time retained officers in particular, where they actually live is important?
Derek Hussey: On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I trust that the Member will also mention the decision of Minister Cairns that the rural Protestant community needed extra money.
Derek Hussey: Under Standing Order 2A — [Interruption.]
