Mr William Oldfield: I happen to be the senior Member in the House so far as the Manchester City Council is concerned. As an ex-Labour agent in the Manchester area, with experience extending over 23 years, I claim to know something about the electoral position in the city. One has heard a number of attacks on the Boundary Commission. I believe that its job is difficult, but in Manchester it is not difficult....
Mr William Oldfield: I was on that Committee. I know full well what happened. The principle was integration, and there is the same principle here. We are not going to have a discussion to that effect.
Mr William Oldfield: As representative of the Gorton Division of Manchester, which has suffered very much indeed from the casualties in this accident, may I stress the point raised by several hon. Members—that there should be a Royal Commission and a full investigation into this subject and into our road transport?
Mr William Oldfield: asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state, in accordance with arrangements promised some time ago, what is now the period of waiting for hearing aids in Manchester.
Mr William Oldfield: I also wish to thank the Parliamentary Secretary for this Amendment. As an ex-president of the cotton operatives on the spinner's side, I know something of the conditions which used to obtain, and I am looking forward to this rectification and the building up of welfare arrangements for spinners in Lancashire.
Mr William Oldfield: As a rule, the speeches made by the hon. and gallant Member for Fylde (Colonel Lancaster) are worthy of consideration. He speaks as one with great experience in connection with the main product with which the gas industry is most vitally concerned. But I feel that, in many ways, whilst he has condemned this Bill, yet, nevertheless, by the way he was developing his thoughts and his speech,...
Mr William Oldfield: Nothing else did.
Mr William Oldfield: asked the Minister of Pensions if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding provision of wheel chairs with motors for legless and other badly-disabled war pensioners; and whether the motor-chairs are to be supplied at State cost without contributions from the pensioners or charitable organisations,
Mr William Oldfield: Four to five thousand
Mr William Oldfield: In the West shop, 2,000. Out of this sum I have mentioned, £700,000 was spent on the erection of buildings and £2,750,000 on the remainder—machinery, etc. That is very significant. The West shop under review to-night was erected at a cost of £1,000,000,of which £300,000 was spent on the erection of buildings, and the balance of £700,000 on the installation of machinery. Since this...
Mr William Oldfield: Is it not a fact that this is a very suitable place for quick storage?
Mr William Oldfield: Is it not a fact that briar wood is being exported from this country to America?
Mr William Oldfield: asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to the serious position arising out of the closing of certain parts of a new factory, erected in Openshaw, Manchester, for the purpose of storage, resulting in the stopping of skilled men and unskilled men and women; and why a new and up-to-date factory, with all modern amenities, should be used for such a...
Mr William Oldfield: In view of the information which has come to me only this morning that three engineering firms are waiting to take over part of this factory, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider releasing the factory at once?
Mr William Oldfield: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any progress is being made with the report of the Association of Municipal Corporations, sent to him some time ago, on the question of the furtherance of public ownership in fuel and power.
Mr William Oldfield: asked the Minister of Education whether, under his regulations after 1st April, a local education authority will be able to continue its aid to a direct grant school on the basis of a capitation grant without getting his approval; and if he proposes to insist that, as a condition of this assistance, the school shall abolish its fees.
Mr William Oldfield: Would the new licence be based on population?
Mr William Oldfield: I support the remarks of many hon. Members in regard to the alteration of the date. I have had a good deal of experience in electioneering work, and I have fought elections in April and March and also in November. My experience tends to support the alteration to the month of May. I do not particularly support the Amendment of the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) in favour of October,...
Mr William Oldfield: I wish to support the Amendment which has been moved by the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. H. Lawson). From the point of view of saving work so far as the workers at elections are concerned, it is a step in the right direction. The hon. Member's point that the register should be arranged in street order is a good one. One knows as an election agent what one has to do if one has any persons...
Mr William Oldfield: If there are two co-opted members for one ward do they both come off the local authority?