Mr George Rodgers: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement on the current shortfall in retirement pension payments when related to earnings.
Mr George Rodgers: Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will be warmly applauded by every pensioner in this country? Does he agree that the Conservative Party has never supported the principle of linking pensions to increases in earnings? Does that not give a clue about where cuts in public expenditure will be made should the Conservative Party ever come to power?
Mr George Rodgers: asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether copies of the Green Paper on concessionary fares have been circulated to organisations representing retirement pensioners; and what response there has been to the document to date.
Mr George Rodgers: Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that the proposals contained in the Green Paper are enormously heartening to pensioners throughout the country, and especially to those who are trapped in Tory-controlled authorities where there are either no schemes for concessionary fares or only mean and paltry schemes? Will he pay particular attention to the views of the National Federation of Old-Age...
Mr George Rodgers: Does my hon. Friend agree that closed shops can be introduced only with the consent of both trade unions and employers? Is it not true that many employers seek such agreements for their own convenience? Have not the Conservatives demonstrated their total opposition to trade union membership by their attitude to the Grunwick dispute?
Mr George Rodgers: It is with particular pleasure that I grasp this opportunity to describe the successes that surround the enterprise known as the central Lancashire new town, though I do not intend to ignore or evade the problems and anxieties that perhaps inevitably accompany that success. The project going ahead in central Lancashire and straddling my constituency of Chorley is unique in many ways. It is...
Mr George Rodgers: Will my right hon. Friend endeavour to persuade the Prime Minister to discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the best method of making up the shortfall in retirement pension increases which has come about as a result of the difficulty of anticipating the level of wage increases? I appreciate that Conservative Members have never wanted to relate pensions to wage increases, but does not...
Mr George Rodgers: I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham. Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) for being very generous in allowing time for other hon. Members to intervene in the debate. He has put the case very lucidly and constructively. I should like also to pay tribute to the Government, who have increased pensions in real terms. We are aware that that is a considerable achievement. I think that we...
Mr George Rodgers: Was not my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) absolutely correct when he suggested that the present situation is in conflict with sex equality legislation? Does it not also apply to the different treatment of widows and widowers? Has the Department any firm plans to combat the situation?
Mr George Rodgers: Will my right hon. Friend find the opportunity today to convey appreciation to the Soviet Union for its restraint and responsibility during the conflict between China and Vietnam?
Mr George Rodgers: asked the Prime Minister when he last met the Trades Union Congress.
Mr George Rodgers: Has my right hon. Friend had an opportunity to discuss with the TUC the various and often helpful schemes introduced by this Government to provide employment opportunities, especially for young people? In view of the fact that many of these programmes are due for renewal, particularly the job release scheme, was he able to assure the TUC that these programmes would be extended and maintained?
Mr George Rodgers: Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that elderly people whose State pensions are their only form of income could not benefit from any gestures involving income tax if VAT were to be raised?
Mr George Rodgers: Does my hon. Friend agree that major reforms of the Common Market will not be achieved without the consent of all members, and that, since members' interests are in conflict, it is obviously impossible to achieve it by persuasion alone? Is it not the case that the only weapon we have is to demonstrate that in that circumstance we are prepared to withdraw?
Mr George Rodgers: Is it true that an additional 4,000 recruits have been accepted into the RAF in excess of the number forecast in the defence review? If money has been made available for this vast additional number, why is it necessary to consider making additional funds available?
Mr George Rodgers: I oppose the Bill because I believe that it is ill-conceived, unenforceable and un- democratic. It is ill conceived, because its intention is to utilise the present concern brought about by industrial disputes as an emotional bludgeon with which to attack the trade union movement. The terms of the Bill are specifically directed at trade unionists. It contains no proposals whatever to...
Mr George Rodgers: The infamous Conservative Industrial Relations Act 1971 actually recognised the position. It repealed restrictions upon the right to strike in public utilities, including electricity, gas and water. The House may recall that the same Act introduced a compulsory ballot procedure with regard to strike action, although this was invoked on only one occasion—during the 1972 British Rail...
Mr George Rodgers: I did not serve on the Standing Committee. Therefore, I have not the same detailed knowledge as my colleagues who have examined the legislative proposals in considerable detail. The House will be gratified to know that my contribution will, accordingly, be restricted. My interest has been aroused—as has that of many hon. Members—because concerned constituents have contacted me about it....
Mr George Rodgers: I do not deny the fact that many organisations would feel aggrieved if the new clause were put into effect. It may be—I accept this entirely—that the Minister will have to review the broad position in order to accommodate the provisions of the new clause, but that is quite feasible and quite within the capacity of the Minister. I believe that the essential high standards which have...
Mr George Rodgers: Does my right hon. Friend agree that the attitude of Opposition Members is in startling contrast to that displayed when the consultants were in dispute with his predecessors in power? Does he also agree that it is enormously difficult for the low-paid workers in the Health Service to get attention focused on their dispute without taking some action that is bound to cause offence and...