Mr Gordon Wilson: I should like to add my voice to the thanks which have been directed to the Minister. I am sure that he is in an unusual position and I trust that he is not over-embarrassed by it. The hon. and learned Member for Perth and Kinross (Mr. Fairbairn) put his finger on one of the doubts that still exists and which was perhaps behind the somewhat cynical comment of the Law Society of Scotland that...
Mr Gordon Wilson: Again, I agree with the hon. and learned Member for Perth and Kinross (Mr. Fairbairn). I do not understand why the Government have made this mistake. I cannot imagine how one could come across a more convoluted, awkward, absurd solution. The residual right of the courts to grant legal aid would be the simplest, most effective way of dealing with the position. It beggars the imagination that...
Mr Gordon Wilson: When one relies on common briefings there is a danger of repetition and that the same speech will be made repeatedly. As the lead speech given by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) was so clear, perhaps the best thing to do is, to use the legal vernacular, to say "I concur". However, I wish to add some points. By seeking to overturn the House of Lords decision, the...
Mr Gordon Wilson: I wish that the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) would not treat this serious subject with such levity. If the hon. Gentleman has come in late from dinner, perhaps he will be quiet and allow the House to deal with this matter. He may not be homeless, but other people are. He should address himself to the House by speaking if he so wishes, but in the meantime I...
Mr Gordon Wilson: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Mr Gordon Wilson: It is in connection with this matter. By arrangement with the House, Members of the Scottish National party receive advance copies of statements on Scottish business. I have checked and apparently we do not have a statement on this. If the statement is to refer to Scottish business, we shall be at a disadvantage.
Mr Gordon Wilson: As the Paymaster General purported to speak as a United Kingdom Minister, why did his statement not explain the impact of the new scheme on Scotland? In view of the disgraceful lack of information provided in response to the question put to him by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen), will the Paymaster General now tell the House how the scheme will affect Scotland as we have...
Mr Gordon Wilson: Is the Secretary of State aware that the export level of electricity to England from Scotland is one third of what it was during the miners' strike last year? In view of the huge over-capacity that exists, and which will be magnified on the commissioning of Torness, what does he intend to do? Will action taken be at the expense of the coal industry, as has been suggested?
Mr Gordon Wilson: In attempting to recast the grant structure for students, will the Secretary of State take into account a possible serious knock-on effect if loans were to be institutionalised? Does he realise that Scottish universities offer courses on a four-year basis and that that could be a substantial disincentive to students coming to Scottish universities?
Mr Gordon Wilson: Given the previous concentration of the oil industry in Scotland, is it not simplistic for the Minister to assume that any of the benefits of lower oil prices will extend to the Scottish economy in view of the spending cuts that have taken place? Will he consult the Scottish Development Agency for an assessment, and if it is shown that Scotland will suffer particularly adversely as a result...
Mr Gordon Wilson: Will the Secretary of State explain to the House why the English UGC gave the Scottish universities only 40 per cent. of the increase, small though that was, that it gave to the English universities? How does he explain this kind of discrimination?
Mr Gordon Wilson: Will the Secretary of State say what prospects for long-term economic advance can be expected in Scotland when Scottish universities are faced with closure and redundancies? What action does he intend to take with his right hon. Friend and the English controlled University Grants Commission——
Mr Gordon Wilson: It relates to the economic aspects and to the need for improved technology. Will the Minister answer that question?
Mr Gordon Wilson: Does the Minister accept that students gain entitlement to such benefits only because they get the qualifications under the label of poverty? Does he not think that it would be heaping hardship upon hardship if he were to take away such benefits without giving anything in return through the student grant?
Mr Gordon Wilson: The Bill makes a fool of the legislature. The primary complaint that any of us can make in dealing with legislation is that it does not give us an adequate clue as to the powers that a Government are seeking to obtain. By every standard of parliamentary draftsmanship the Bill fails. The draftsmen, or the Ministers who authorised the Bill, should hang their heads in shame. If one reads through...
Mr Gordon Wilson: I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has made that point. I speak for myself, not as a nominal solicitor. I am on the roll and I am a net contributor to the finances of the Law Society every year, for which I receive a magazine. That is the sole benefit. In all fairness, I have to say that I have rarely come across any complaints about inefficiency or delay in the way in which the Law Society...
Mr Gordon Wilson: The Bill says that the cost will be increased by "a small amount", but, as extra people will be needed, the cost will obviously increase. If the present system can be operated by the Law Society, why do civil servants have to be transferred from the Scottish Office? Is it that they might otherwise be made redundant, and that that would not be acceptable to the Government?
Mr Gordon Wilson: It remains to be seen what the final effect will be. When we start looking at the accounts for that department in a couple of years, I think we will see that the cost has rocketed out of control. Even if the costs of administration are neutral, which I do not accept, how will savings be made? The figure of between 58 and 90 per cent. has been given for the range of refusals and grants of...
Mr Gordon Wilson: The Minister shows signs of excitement and overheating. I am perfectly willing to deal with that question, as I was about to touch on it. From the outset, there should have been a system of appeal for criminal legal aid. Those refused legal aid could then appeal to another body instead of having their case heard before a sheriff. That would introduce more equity into the system. But as far as...
Mr Gordon Wilson: I should like to speak in support of new clause 5. I do not have to say too much about the generality, as the hon. Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) has just urged the Minister for Social Security to take account of the needs of the elderly. I should like to spotlight another anomaly. Is there any reason why people who have not applied for mobility allowance should not be eligible between the...