Mr Michael Neubert: Further to your statement a moment ago, Madam Speaker. Would you include in your review the possibility that, if messages are to be communicated to Members in the Chamber by means of the device you have in mind, they could equally be communicated by an earphone in the ear—which, in my opinion, should also be outlawed in this assembly?
Mr Michael Neubert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the establishment of regular passenger services on the River Thames. [17753]
Mr Michael Neubert: Is my hon. Friend aware that during the Festival of Britain, 5 million people took to the river for transport? Does not the millennium exhibition at Greenwich represent an outstanding opportunity to establish a regular passenger service on the Thames? What is the prospect of public funds for piers, the essential infrastructure if this long-awaited and much to be desired service is to become...
Mr Michael Neubert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she next expects to meet her European Union counterparts to discuss the prospects for employment in Europe. [16065]
Mr Michael Neubert: Is it not instructive to compare the unemployment level here—1.8 million and falling—with that in Germany, which is 4.5 million and rising? Does my hon. Friend agree that if unemployment here increased by 500,000 in a single month—as Germany's did in January—the Opposition would be in uproar, Opposition Members on the Front Bench below the Gangway would be on their feet and the...
Mr Michael Neubert: What effect would it have on regions in England, especially northern England, if employees in companies in the Scottish region were subject to additional personal taxation? Would not a tartan tax provide an unfortunate and unfair inducement to investment in England?
Mr Michael Neubert: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, from a different standpoint, the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) also muddied the message? It must be a clear message. It should not be confused or blurred by the rather rational considerations that he brings to the problem, which do not get through to the young people who need to hear the clear message that we are trying to give this morning.
Mr Michael Neubert: The hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) is clearly sincere and well intentioned, and appears to be knowledgeable about the technicalities of the drugs scourge. Ultimately, however, he is misguided in arguing with so much qualification against the Bill and its consequences. Although he may rail against tabloid papers and so-called "tabloid politics", the great merit of tabloid newspapers...
Mr Michael Neubert: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the purpose of his recent official visit to London docklands; and if he will make a statement. [6495]
Mr Michael Neubert: My right hon. Friend may be assured that he will always be welcomed as the architect of London docklands development, for his part in the regeneration of east London and for redressing the imbalance between east London and traffic-congested Heathrow-dominated west London. Is he aware, however, that both the millennium project on the Greenwich peninsula and the proposed exhibition centre in...
Mr Michael Neubert: As the Member of Parliament for Romford, I share the anxieties of the hon. Member for Barking (Ms Hodge), to whom I am grateful for allowing me to contribute briefly to this important debate. King George's hospital is not in my constituency either. It is several miles down the Al2 for my constituents, but as a consequence of the mistaken strategy to abandon Oldchurch hospital for accident...
Mr Michael Neubert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are currently deployed outside the United Kingdom; and in how many countries. [4309]
Mr Michael Neubert: Is it not a remarkable tribute to our resolute defence policies and the professionalism of our armed forces that our participation is sought in so many parts of the world? Would not that be put at risk by the "painful consequences" of a Labour defence review? With regard to Zaire, now that the Canadians have scaled down their estimate of the number of troops required by a factor of 10, to...
Mr Michael Neubert: Are not today's unemployment figures, the best for five and a half years, directly attributable to the policy of the Department for Education and Employment, and a credit to it? What assessment has my hon. Friend made of the effect on the unemployment statistics of a national minimum wage, compulsory paternity leave, compulsory consultation, a maximum working week and a minimum annual leave...
Mr Michael Neubert: Is not the problem for the rest of Europe the fact that, as Jacques Delors correctly predicted, with our flexible labour laws, Britain has become a paradise for investment? Is not the essential and inescapable point that we are part of a world market? Our competitors overseas must be rubbing their hands with glee to see Europe tying itself in knots over this issue.
Mr Michael Neubert: Will my hon. Friend have a word with his colleagues in the Treasury and draw their attention to the part of the construction industry that is carried out on the black economy, to the detriment of fair competition, adequate training skills and general competence, not to mention the Chancellor's cash flow? Would it not be of great benefit if that illegal activity were reduced, the revenue...
Mr Michael Neubert: Thank you for calling me, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this debate on the last day before the House rises for the summer recess. Under the old dispensation, we should argue that the House should not rise before urgent action is taken or pressing decisions are made. That is certainly the case with the matter that I wish to raise this morning, which is the return of the Stone of Scone to Scotland,...
Mr Michael Neubert: Does my hon. Friend know that one of the misgivings that some of us have had about the decision is that insufficient attention has been given to the stone's religious connotations? Does he therefore accept the fact that his support for the principle that it be held on consecrated ground is greatly to be welcomed?
Mr Michael Neubert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received in support of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent. [34903]
Mr Michael Neubert: Was my right hon. Friend as surprised as I was to read recent reports that the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Foreign Secretary have suddenly become strong supporters of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent? Does not the picture of former members of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament thrusting forward to put their finger on the nuclear button strain credulity to breaking point?
