Miss Joan Lestor: If my right hon. Friend's proposals will do anything to remove the inhuman practices and indignities that have taken place at London Airport during the last few years—they have been discussed at length in the House—they will do nothing but good, and for this reason I welcome them. Concerning the appeals machinery, am I right in saying that one of the difficulties of putting entry...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that local authorities are fully using the powers given to them by his Regulations to avoid fire risk in houses in multiple occupation; and if he will make a statement.
Miss Joan Lestor: May I thank my hon. Friend for that reply and say how pleased I am that this matter is being looked into? Does my hon. Friend agree that we cannot afford to be complacent about it? Is not one of the things which need attention, particularly in houses in multiple occupation, the inappropriate means of heating often used that cause some of these fires and the lack of means of escape, as we know...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will initiate, through the National Health Service, an inquiry into the adverse effects of oral contraception.
Miss Joan Lestor: Would my right hon. Friend not agree, though, that statements which are continually being made, presumably by people in authority, on the causal connection between, for instance, thrombosis and the pill and cancer and the pill, are causing a great deal of concern among many women, and would not an inquiry of the nature suggested here, with publication of the results, do a great deal both to...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what programme of health education on the use of oral contraception is being followed by the Health Education Council.
Miss Joan Lestor: Is my right hon. Friend aware that this news will be received with pleasure by large numbers of people, but would he not agree that unless local authorities face their responsibilities in this matter—which is, of course, the other side of the problem of abortions—a lot of this work will be wasted, and would he not consider making it mandatory upon local authorities actually to set up...
Miss Joan Lestor: The issuing of entry certificates and the appeals machinery in the country of origin is obviously crucial if this system is to be seen to be fair. Has my hon. Friend any plans if this goes on for having an inspectorate, or officials, or hon. Members, members of the Select Committee, go to see how the system is actually working in the countries of origin?
Miss Joan Lestor: In the early hours of the morning, not too long ago, we debated a Measure that I opposed on the question of Asian immigrants from Kenya. I opposed it because I felt that it was a concession to racialism, and I still hold that view. Tonight, also at a very late hour, we are debating immigration again, but I do not believe that this Measure is a concession to racialism. I do not believe that...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now consider taking steps to involve education authorities in responsibilities for play groups.
Miss Joan Lestor: May I remind my right hon. Friend that the Pre-school Play Group Association is using this week to highlight the fact that there are 116,000 children under the age of 5 in groups under its care, and that the co-operation of his Department and the Department of Education and Science is needed to provide financial assistance and training courses if the Association is to meet the needs of...
Miss Joan Lestor: May I join in the warm welcome back to the House extended to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security after his recent illness? In an earlier debate today, my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Murray) raised the question of the autistic child and referred to the 3,000 children who are desperately in need. I want to refer to a slightly larger number...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's future policy in relation to Southern Rhodesia.
Miss Joan Lestor: Does not my right hon. Friend find it curious that those people who are so critical and hostile to immigrants in this country are so "pro" and sympathetic to white immigrants in Rhodesia? Will my right hon. Friend take my assurance that on this side he has our complete support for his efforts to isolate the Smith régime; and that we hope that he will also consider a communications sanction...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance he is giving to make new educational methods and techniques available to the developing countries.
Miss Joan Lestor: Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, and expressing pleasure at this announcement, may I ask whether, for example, there will be any concentration of development on new methods in primary education, and what amount of money it is expected these projects will cost?
Miss Joan Lestor: May I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to Motion No. 361, standing in my name and the names of about 60 other hon. Members?
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, after the coming into operation of the Children and Young Persons Act, he will issue a circular to local authorities giving advice to them on the use of the ward of court procedure for young persons in care who make undesirable associations as an alternative to committal to an approved school.
Miss Joan Lestor: While I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, does he not agree that large numbers of people were horrified to find that many young people in approved schools had not committed any crime? In an instance of this nature, would it not be advisable to suggest that it would be much better to take action against the man involved in an undesirable association with a young girl who has not committed...
Miss Joan Lestor: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Protection of Animals Act so as to prohibit cruelty to all animals, including those not in captivity.