Mr Frank McLeavy: Earlier in his speech the hon. Member complained that the motorist was taxed far too heavily now. One of his right hon. Friends on the Opposition Front Bench agreed with that comment. May I suggest that to tax the motorist further for the use of roads for which he pays very heavily already would be anti-social, unreasonable and contrary to the principles of fair play to the motoring industry.
Mr Frank McLeavy: It is always a pleasure to follow in a debate the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain), although I have been in disagreement with most of what he has said today. I agree with him that we should look to the future and I hope that what I have to say will be taken from the point of view that I agree entirely that it is the future that matters rather than the somewhat murky past....
Mr Frank McLeavy: The high toll on our roads of killed and injured, the traffic congestion, the decline in railway and bus traffic, and the ever-increasing cost of road freight and passenger transport call for very serious examination and action. The Tory policy of free-for-all has been undoubtedly profitable to a few, but it has been disastrous to the nation. Road freight services are jamming our roads while...
Mr Frank McLeavy: No, I will not give way. The explanation given by the Ministry is that this is being done because of pressure from Continental traders. In normal circumstances, with adequate road space, this might well be desirable, but it does not make sense today when we have serious problems of congestion on our roads. The present crisis in our transport system is not something which has suddenly...
Mr Frank McLeavy: I am quoting from a document issued by the British Road Federation, and I assume that its figures ought to be nearer the mark than what the Parliamentary Secretary has said. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] The Federation's criticisms are very strong and come from a quarter which is usually not unfavourable to the Conservative Party. They represent a view which demands the careful consideration of...
Mr Frank McLeavy: asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what representations he has received from women's organisations urging an increase in the 10s. widow's pension to 20s. and for the removal of the earnings rule in respect of all widows; and what reply he has made.
Mr Frank McLeavy: Is the Minister aware that, apart from the organisations which have made representations to him, a recent conference of Conservative women passed a resolution, against the Minister's advice, to abolish the earnings rule? If the Minister feels that it is not possible to abolish the earnings rule altogether, will he consider the rather modest suggestion contained in my Bill, which has been...
Mr Frank McLeavy: I am sure that the House is interested in what the hon. Member is saying, but would he bear in mind that there are other Bills on the Order Paper, including the Widows' Pensions Bill in which I am interested? Would the hon. Member not think that he is going too far in trying to block a Bill which would be of great benefit to widows?
Mr Frank McLeavy: I am not suggesting that the debate should be curtailed, but I suggest that it might be carried on with some common sense in order to secure a quick decision so that the very important Widows' Pensions Bill may be dealt with. That Bill has been blocked by hon. Members opposite for months, but they are not prepared to face the fact.
Mr Frank McLeavy: I was referring to an hon. Member opposite.
Mr Frank McLeavy: Will the hon. Member allow me?
Mr Frank McLeavy: As I did not bring in this Bill, the hon. Gentleman should not charge me with wanting to send his constituents to prison. He should make that charge against his hon. Friends.
Mr Frank McLeavy: I beg to move, That the Clause be read a Second time.
Mr Frank McLeavy: The case for the exemption of buses from the fuel oil duty is unanswerable. The tax cannot be justified on rational grounds. When we raised the matter on last year's Finance Bill, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was so obsessed with a desire to reduce the industrial oil tax from 2d. a gallon to 1d. a gallon that he was unable even to consider a reduction of the 2s. 9d. a gallon tax paid by...
Mr Frank McLeavy: I should not like the hon. Gentleman to misrepresent the purpose of the industry. We are not asking for a subsidy but for the removal of a tax which should never have been imposed. To suggest that we are asking for a subsidy is to misrepresent the position.
Mr Frank McLeavy: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as this unfortunate accident occurred in my constituency and that I was so concerned that I immediately contacted his Ministry with a view to a statement being made at the House? I thank the right hon. Gentleman for making such a statement to the House. May I thank the Minister also for announcing that there is to be a public inquiry, which, I think,...
Mr Frank McLeavy: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the fact that there are a considerable number of hon. Members and people and in the country who would very much like to see a living memorial to President Kennedy? Would he and the Leader of the Opposition consider the possibility of some university scholarships, to be held by American students in this country, which would, I believe, be a fitting memorial...
Mr Frank McLeavy: I think that all on both sides of the Committee will agree that the problem we are discussing this evening is an extremely human one. Whether the question be the interest of the immigrant or the interest of the citizen of this country we are bound to feel that there is a profound human element to be considered. I believe that in giving consideration to the operation of the Commonwealth...
Mr Frank McLeavy: Perhaps some do. At least I am prepared to concede that there may be a difference of opinion about the method of approach to the problem. I do not charge anyone with lack of sincerity about the points of view they put before the Committee. It is not very easy for me to speak tonight of this matter, but I am speaking because I believe that it is my duty to the people I represent in Bradford...
Mr Frank McLeavy: No, I will not give way at all. The immigrants from Pakistan and India in Bradford now total about 10,000 and there are to be a further 2,000 immigrants from India, plus a few from West Africa. I want hon. Members to let these facts sink in. These immigrants now constitute about 10 per cent, of the male labour force in the city. The vast majority have found suitable employment and are...