Dr Alan Glyn: The hon. Gentleman said that he is against compulsion. Does he mean only complusion for military service, or would he be against compulsion for a scheme that combined service to the community and military service?
Dr Alan Glyn: I shall not take up the comments of the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) except on a few matters as I proceed with my speech. First, I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the simple way in which he has laid out his Budget. His statement was easy to understand and I have never known a more comprehensive and clear exposé than that which my right...
Dr Alan Glyn: Is my hon. Friend aware that when he brings in this legislation it will be a hybrid Bill, because the riparian owners, who are private individuals, will be involved?
Dr Alan Glyn: What is the Liberal party's attitude to the efforts made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor towards encouraging wider share ownership?
Dr Alan Glyn: My right hon. Friend raised the threshold by 5·7 per cent.
Dr Alan Glyn: My hon. Friend is making a strong argument. Does he agree that if extra money was, as he suggested, used to raise thresholds, it would have a greater effect in inducing people to take jobs?
Dr Alan Glyn: My right hon. friend rightly said that no one from a poor background should be prevented from embarking on further education. Does he agree that those who are qualified and whose parents refuse to pay are automatically disqualified from any form of higher education?
Dr Alan Glyn: Will my right hon. Friend confirm that most of the contracts for the Trident programme have been agreed in substance between the two countries and that the programme will go ahead as it should?
Dr Alan Glyn: I have listened carefully to the right hon. Gentleman and I agree with him. But he has not mentioned the time scale for the development of the SDI by the Americans.
Dr Alan Glyn: In view of the serious decline in the size of our merchant fleet, particularly those ships sailing under Britsh flags, will my right hon. Friend arrange for a debate on the subject?
Dr Alan Glyn: I believe that the point raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Sir E. du Cann) is correct. There is general concern throughout the country that the merchant fleet is declining. There is anxiety that the fleet has declined to such an extent that it cannot fulfil the total commitments that are required for all our defence requirements, not just our NATO obligations.
Dr Alan Glyn: I apologise to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown), but I shall not discuss the matter which he probed because I think that the debate is a more general one about the Army. As hon. Members will be aware, I come from a garrison town. Only half of it is garrison because the other half is waiting to be rebuilt. I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment as Secretary of State...
Dr Alan Glyn: I hope that my right hon. Friend will say something about the cadet force because that is the nursery for recruiting. I understand that the cadet force is now much better equipped. On page 45 of volume 1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates" a good deal of space is rightly given to the cadet force. If young people are properly trained, not only does it do them good for civilian life but...
Dr Alan Glyn: My right hon. Friend will be aware that yesterday the motion on short speeches was blocked by those who are more longwinded, and who have Privy Council status, giving them priority in debates. Will my right hon. Friend consider bringing the matter to a head so that Back-Bench Members have a chance of speaking in debates?
Dr Alan Glyn: Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is a physical limit to the number of people who can occupy the Palace of Westminster? Therefore, there must be a limit to the number of research assistants who can use the Library and other facilities.
Dr Alan Glyn: My right hon. Friend mentioned the expansion of Heathrow. When the airport is privatised, will there be anything to prevent it from being enlarged and the number of flights increased? Will the Secretary of State have any control over the number of flights? What will happen about Perry Oaks?
Dr Alan Glyn: The contract for pharmacists cannot be implemented without primary legislation, which was not forthcoming in 1985. When will such legislation be introduced?
Dr Alan Glyn: Will the Leader of the House give some indication about when a resolution of the House might be made about shorter speeches? He assured me some time ago that it would be fairly soon.
Dr Alan Glyn: Can my right hon. Friend say when a restriction on the length of speeches to 10 minutes will be introduced? Will that restriction be at the discretion of Mr. Speaker, will he decide when it is imposed, and will it apply to Privy Councillors?
Dr Alan Glyn: Will my right hon. Friend comment on the reasons given by the comptroller general to the House of Representatives and say whether they influenced our decision? Will they be taken into consideration, as they were extremely critical?