Mr Edward Milne: Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the provisions that he has outlined, and which we shall subsequently be debating, also cover the-financial implications and the financial state of the nation? Will they include provisions to the effect that tax havens, such as the Cayman Islands and other places, will be stripped of their assets in order to give the country a chance to recover?
Mr Edward Milne: I am sorry that the right hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish), who is a member of the European Parliament—
Mr Edward Milne: It does not matter what name it is given, because its importance is not heightened by its title. I am sorry that, with his experience in that Assembly, the right hon. and gallant Gentleman did not use this opportunity to give us some information about the order. He dealt a good deal with the activities of my right hon. Friend the Member for Stepney (Mr. Shore) and the decisions of the...
Mr Edward Milne: I do not need to be reminded of that vote, because I was one of the 62 persons who voted against it. But that does not alter the fact that regional policy matters cannot be determined by the representatives in Parliament. As has already been said, the attendance in the House is certainly very thin—
Mr Edward Milne: The hon. Gentleman has mentioned the regional policies which are determined by successive Governments in this country. But there is no guarantee that the member countries will be free to operate regional policies as they have done in the past. Indeed, there is ample evidence in the lifetime of the Community that various countries have had restrictions placed upon their regional development...
Mr Edward Milne: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's study of the possibilities of ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and publish a list of the countries which have now ratified the covenant.
Mr Edward Milne: I appreciate the Government's difficulties, but have not they shown extreme tardiness, in direct contrast to the speed with which they recognised reactionary régimes like those in Chile, Greece and one or two other places which I shall not name? Is it not time that the decision of 1966 received more consideration from the Government than has been given to it?
Mr Edward Milne: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that each succeeding report which he brings from Europe becomes more disturbing not only to the House but to the people of this country? Is he further aware that the suggestion that he is pressing for a regional policy is a piece of window dressing and an attempt at deception on those of us in the regions, because inherent in the Community policy there is no...
Mr Edward Milne: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will outline Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to prosecution arising from alleged fraudulent tax evasion ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Edward Milne: Is the Minister aware that he has revealed the tremendous weakness in our tax legislation that needs to be examined by his Department? Will he undertake to examine closely the article sent to him by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation exposing the scandal of tax evasion and to deal with it as promptly as possible? Is he aware that at present we are dealing with a situation in which social...
Mr Edward Milne: I should like first to apologise for not having followed the debate as closely as I should have liked. I was fortunate enough to hear the two opening speeches, particularly that of my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Cheetham (Mr. Harold Lever), whom we are glad to see is almost back to his old lively self. His command of the English language and the clarity with which he conveys...
Mr Edward Milne: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am sorry to delay the Minister, but in another place about 15 minutes ago the Minister responsible for the energy industries made a statement which greatly affects the people of this country. Cannot we have the same statement made in this House by the appropriate Minister?
Mr Edward Milne: asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to clarify the law of contempt of court in relation to the reporting of proceedings.
Mr Edward Milne: Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that only the full reporting of court proceedings gives meaning to the public character of justice in this country, and that, provided the report of a trial is fair and accurate and is published in good faith, it cannot and should not be regarded as contempt of court. In view of the interlocking nature of cases which are appearing before the...
Mr Edward Milne: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation in order to compel travel agents and tour operators to issue details of health hazards likely to be encountered in overseas travel.
Mr Edward Milne: Is the Minister aware that a lot of unnecessary suffering, hardship and pain could be eased by accepting the proposal in the Question? Will he consult the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on this matter and reconsider the issue?
Mr Edward Milne: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government are in a sticky enough mess already without dealing with the candy quota in the way suggested?
Mr Edward Milne: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement represents no substantial shift in Community policy? Can he outline policy on the question of Britain's contribution to the Community budget which still stands at 25 per cent. of the total? What is the position regarding the 20 per cent. annual increase in foodstuff prices between now and the end of the transitional period? Will my right...
Mr Edward Milne: Will the Foreign Secretary have talks with our EFTA partners in order to learn from them how, without seeking Community membership, they got better agreements in many areas than we did with membership?
Mr Edward Milne: Is the Prime Minister aware that the agreements made with the EFTA countries gave advantages to those countries at least comparable with those extracted from us on membership of the EEC? Will he look at the replies which his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave yesterday on the question of renegotiation? If renegotiation does not come to the point that the Government want, will we...