Mr Neil Macfarlane: I give an initial welcome to the regulations and orders and assure the Under-Secretary of State that brevity will prevail. I am concerned, however, about one omission, and this relates to the categories to which reference was made on Second Reading of the Safety of Sports Grounds Bill, which were, of course, the pillars of what Lord Wheatley presented in his report which formed the platform...
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is there any possible timetable that the hon. Lady could include? Presumably everybody must be hoping for a resurgence of attendance at football grounds in the Second Division.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is it not mandatory as the Act specifically refers to those grounds capable of holding in excess of 10,000 spectators?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has yet had discussions with the Chairman of the Science Research Council.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is the right hon. Lady aware that I am grateful that that meeting has taken place? Is she not seriously concerned at the cut-backs forced upon the Science Research Council which may well prevent it from sustaining the necessary standard of education and research in universities? Can she give the House an assurance that after giving science a low priority for two and a half years the...
Mr Neil Macfarlane: asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many orders have been made by the Price Commission with regard to excess prices since the Price Code commenced.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new steps he proposes to take to ensure compliance with the conditions upon which visas are granted to immigrant students.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is it not a fact that in recent years there has been an alarming growth in the number of overseas students who have come to this country and opted out of their courses soon after arriving? Would it not be right for the Home Office, the Department of Education and Science and local authorities to start monitoring this aspect very urgently?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: That is not what Annie Oakley said.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: I have been following the hon. Gentleman's argument, though not agreeing with it. Does he not draw any conclusion from what is happening in Canada at present in the difficult problems relating to that country as a result of the move to becoming, perhaps, a bilingual nation? Surely the recent election results in the Province of Quebec would strike a note of chill into the hon. Gentleman's argument.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Before I delve too deeply into the interesting observations that have been made during the debate, I should like to refer to the delightful contribution made by the hon. Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. Mallalieu), which was most enjoyable. The hon. Gentleman skilfully avoided the long-term implications for the country and the Labour Party of the small print of the Gracious Speech. He...
Mr Neil Macfarlane: I think that the hon. Gentleman is being a little harsh on my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox), who made clear that he apportioned blame for the so-called divisiveness of the last few years pretty equally.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is the Minister totally satisfied that the progressive nationalisation policies of his Government have not totally deterred foreign investment in North Sea exploration?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Will the Prime Minister give way on that point about the unity of the United Kingdom?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: I am grateful to the Prime Minister for giving way to me at long last. On this point about the unity of the United Kingdom, will he comment on the fact that a little more than two years ago some 60 candidates of the Scottish National Party were defeated and that 33 Plaid Cymru candidates were defeated? On what basis does he deduce that this Bill is what the United Kingdom wants to hear a...
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Why has the hon. Member chosen three years? Why not one, two, four or five years?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: I am asking.
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Why not a General Election?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is the hon. Gentleman able to throw any light on why the Government have coupled the two countries, bearing in mind the electoral results a little over two years ago when 37 Plaid Cymru candidates were defeated? Is not that a valid reason for Scotland and Wales being treated separately?
Mr Neil Macfarlane: Is the hon. Member saying that despite the shortcomings of the Bill he will support it on Second Reading?