Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Could the Paymaster General simplify this a little for the sake of people at home? Is it not right that we have a very good deal, through the Prime Minister at Edinburgh, and that we are paying very much less than we would have been paying into Europe, which is very important? In fact, it is petty cash in Treasury terms. For it, we are getting inward investment in the United Kingdom, we are...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: rose—
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: This is quite a straightforward question to which the nation is most anxious to know the answer: does the hon. Gentleman favour an increase in the top level of taxation? Yes or no would be quite acceptable.
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my hon. Friend agree that the time of kid glove action is over and that we must go for a mailed fist result? We must really go after the perverts—the evil people who prey on the bodies of children in an unnatural way. Would my hon. Friend consider discussing with people overseas and our Home Office whether, on a second conviction, castration might be a very suitable approach? One would...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Locate in Scotland campaign has been so successful that £5 billion has either been invested or planned to be invested and that that has created jobs for or retrained 96,000 people in Scotland? But, returning to the skill shortages, 47 per cent. of all companies from overseas who have located in Scotland conduct research and development. That is where the...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Returning to the original question from the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), does my hon. Friend agree that representatives of the Department of the Environment have been to America to look at its schemes? The city challenge scheme was started in America and was introduced in this country. We have also had lots of local initiatives, such as estate action schemes, which are very popular. We...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my hon. Friend agree that British industry is responding? It knows that if it designs products that the rest of the world wants to buy, manufactures them to a high quality, sells them at competitive prices and gives good after-sales service, it will lead the world. British industry is doing that now, which is why it is leading the world. If one buys from the United Kingdom, one travels...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Why is the hon. Member here?
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, throughout the north-west, we have not only excellent orchestras but excellent music societies, opera societies, choirs, brass bands and many talented artists? Can those people expect to get some money from the national lottery?
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: With the indulgence of the House, I shall make a brief contribution. If we wait for Europe, we will wait a long time. The Government have been talking to the European Commission for years about this matter, and there is not much enthusiasm from many member states for protecting their children in the way that we want to protect the children of this country. I see no reason why we should not go...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my hon. Friend agree that a "no disconnect" policy would be a "no pay" policy, that most disconnections are reconnected within 48 hours while the remainder occur in empty properties and that water boards give people many options to pay? What on earth are we talking about?
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my right hon. Friend accept that many of my local churches have been on the receiving end of theft? Often when many of the images and chattels of a church have been removed the whole character of the church is changed; many of those items have been there since time immemorial and are respected and greatly thought of by the congregation. Does my right hon. Friend think that we should say...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: On a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister concerned is one of the most respected Ministers at the Department of Social Security that we have had, and he is recognised on both sides of the House as a great friend of the disabled. He came to the House and said that he did not knowingly mislead the House but that now, realising that he may have done—
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: I shall be brief. Many of my constituents in Oldham are employed by Ferranti and I have seen the pain and anguish of people who have worked there nearly all their lives suddenly being made redundant at a few hours' notice. It is a terrible thing. However, we have to strike a balance. What do we want? Do we want to force receivers to carry on the head count for longer than they could...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: The workers I have spoken to in Ferranti—
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Of course. The workers at Ferranti did not think that the procedures had been followed and it was painful for many of my constituents. I went to Ferranti and met the receivers, the trade unions and the management. A decision had to be made whether to save the company by some rapid action or to go through normal procedures—which sometimes take a long time, until no one would supply the...
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Is not it a fact that the Government have no money of their own—only taxpayers's money? Should not we review research laboratories sensibly and regularly so that money spent on behalf of taxpayers is applied efficiently and effectively?
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Is not it always the Conservative party that has stood for freedom of choice? Do not we believe that people should be allowed to spend their own money on whatever they choose? Of course, that is a fact, and long may it continue.
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what importance he attaches to the prison population as a measure of the success of the criminal justice system; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Geoffrey Dickens: Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that a custodial sentence satisfies the victims, acts as a deterrent, and provides retribution and punishment? While prisoners are under lock and key they cannot be breaking into people's homes. Will he consider getting rid of the stupid nonsense such as remission, rehabilitation and parole?
