Mr Leslie Spriggs: Will the hon. and learned Gentleman advise me in writing so that I can consider withdrawing new clause 14?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: I accept the Minister's advice and beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: If a police officer went to a wedding party, say, drank a little more than he would normally drink, was seen to stumble outside and was picked up by a policeman and taken to court and charged with being drunk and incapable, the court would deal with him. When he returned to work, however, the chief constable might send for him. Fortunately, not all chief constables are like that, but some...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: The Minister has advised me to withdraw the new clause, but would he be prepared to take it over in order to achieve my objective?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: New clause 14 protects police officers against double jeopardy by providing that a police officer acquitted by a court shall not be subject to police disciplinary proceedings for the same offence. In the past few months, I have tried to discover the substance of the Police Federation's case and spent quite a few hours discussing the matter with the federation. The Police Federation and...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the programmes of central Government, Merseyside county council and St. Helens metropolitan borough council; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am surprised at his answer? Since I would not be allowed by you, Mr. Speaker, to raise the many problems that lead to such serious lack of co-ordination between the Government, the Merseyside county council and the St. Helens metropolitan borough council, may I bring one matter to the right hon. Gentleman's attention? It concerns the correspondence...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Does the Minister appreciate that an increase of £5 a week is needed if a full-time university student is properly to maintain himself? When the Minister is examining next year's budget, will he consider that?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: asked the Secretary of State for Transport what investment proposals he has received for electrification of the east coast main line; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Is the Minister aware that the east coast main line warrants further investigation? It makes good sense to develop the electrification programme on this line, because of the healthy return. Will the Minister give the House details of the number of electrification programmes that the board has suggested to his Department?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon the Minister was unable to answer part of my question, when the information is readily available in the Department. May I ask through you, Mr. Speaker, that the Minister provides those figures in the Official Report?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Is the Minister aware that rather than wait one or two years, or more, fora change in the policy of the motorcar industry to the filtering of lead from petrol, filter manufacturers such as the Associated Octel Co. Ltd. and others, are manufacturing filters that provide for the atmosphere to be completely free of lead?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment anywhere is a recipe for disaster? As the Government can govern neither their own country nor Northern Ireland, is he prepared to propose to the Northern Ireland people that they take over the autonomous government of their own country, or to ask all of the people of Ireland whether they are prepared to take over their own country and run...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Will the Minister and the Secretary of State have a look at what St. Helens transport department did with an old bus? It has made it possible for people in invalid carriages or chairs to travel on that bus, because a hydraulic platform has been fitted. Will the Government consider that at the first opportunity and recommend it to other transport authorities throughout the country?
Mr Leslie Spriggs: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. My hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) raised a proper question about the Civil Service with the Minister of State, Treasury. His response was a complete refusal to answer the question in parliamentary terms. The Minister gave a personal opinion. Can you, Mr. Speaker, do anything to defend Back-Bench Members from the attitudes of Ministers,...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the Glass and Glazing Federation for the purpose of discussing problems of energy conservation.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all sectors of the glass industry, including the flat glass and the glass fibre sectors, have invested many millions of pounds each year in their respective areas and are now concerned about what the Government will do about introducing a comprehensive conservation policy? Will he make a statement about it and take the earliest opportunity to meet the...
Mr Leslie Spriggs: asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the chairman of the British Railways Board for the purpose of discussing plans for further electrification.
Mr Leslie Spriggs: When the right hon. Gentleman next meets the chairman of the board, will he confirm that he intends to authorise the electrification of the line between Ashford and Hastings with the least possible delay? Will he also confirm that the rates of return for the electrification of the east coast main line are favourable? When the board's submissions are complete, will he authorise the...