Mr Geraint Howells: We now realise that the hon. Gentleman is a strong advocate of the export to the EEC of milk from this country. Is it not about time that we should try to export more of our milk products to other countries outside the EEC?
Mr Geraint Howells: asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present state of education in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Geraint Howells: Are not the hon. Gentleman's ministerial colleagues responsible for the prolonged pay dispute with the teachers? Will he accordingly advise them to get on with the job of trying to sort out this dispute, for the sake of children, teachers and parents?
Mr Geraint Howells: Assuming that the figures given by the Secretary of State are correct — I am not disputing them — another 20,000 people will be made redundant in south Wales during the next 12 months. What advice has the right hon. Gentleman given the Prime Minister to the effect that she must change her policies if unemployment is to be reduced in the next five years?
Mr Geraint Howells: I know about the circulars that have been issued by the Welsh Office over the years, but I was urging the Minister to get in touch with local authorities again to remind them that they should give more attention to the Welsh language among the elderly, the infirm and those in care.
Mr Geraint Howells: I am delighted, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to have caught your eye so early in the morning on this very important issue of the use of the Welsh language—our language. I have travelled throughout the night to support the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley). There is a principle at stake, which is why many of us are here to support the hon. Gentleman. The Welsh language is the oldest language...
Mr Geraint Howells: I am sure that the Minister is well aware that many dairy farmers in Britain are in dire financial trouble because of the Government's policy. He is well aware that he introduced a policy that was unacceptable to the people. Does he accept that many dairy farmers are trying to advise the Government to introduce a scheme to look after the interests of those who were severly hit in 1983–84?
Mr Geraint Howells: Nowhere more than in Wales have the Government's unjustified penny-pinching attitudes towards local government been resented, as recent events in Mid-Wales have amply demonstrated. Should I mention Brecon and Radnor here this evening?
Mr Geraint Howells: I am delighted that the new hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Livsey), my hon. Friend, has been able to join my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) and myself on these Benches. I am sure that he will stay with us for many years to come. I have referred to Brecon and Radnor. The Secretary of State said that the rates have risen very little in Wales during the...
Mr Geraint Howells: I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by my hon. and learned Friend. It makes us wonder whether the Secretary of State is aware of the problems in many of the high schools and whether he cares for the children who live in our communities. Likewise, the money for road improvements is not being made available, and the tremendous backlog in housing maintenance and repair throughout...
Mr Geraint Howells: May I ask—
Mr Geraint Howells: Will the Minister tell us how many of those unemployed in the Health Service in Wales will be unemployed next year?
Mr Geraint Howells: Of course he is. Only the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Bruinvels) could possibly think that if a Minister does not listen to the House he is not in contempt. That is why the hon. Gentleman makes such nonsensical remarks. [Interruption.] It seems that hooligans are not confined to the terraces of football grounds. I want to carry the Home Secretary with me on this. I do not expect him...
Mr Geraint Howells: I am sure the Minister will agree that we must retain our county council smallholdings if we are to help young people entering the farming community. What advice has she or the Government given to county councils which are now selling off their smallholdings?
Mr Geraint Howells: Although I am pleased that we have been given an opportunity to debate Welsh affairs once again, it is rather disappointing that the Labour party should have asked for only half a day in which to debate such a crucial aspect of our national life. It is a significant, not to say cynical, gesture on the part of a movement that largely ignored the rural population when in power, to decide to...
Mr Geraint Howells: With respect, I was talking about the Bill which was defeated in the House only a fortnight ago. Tory and Labour Governments have been given opportunities to help farmers in hill and marginal areas, but they have been remarkably reluctant to take them. It is one thing to say today that more acres in Wales have been taken under the marginal land scheme, but the farmers of Wales know—I do not...
Mr Geraint Howells: I accept what the hon. Gentleman has said. I expected the council to say just what it did, but I believe that we need a board to look after the interests of the Welsh language.
Mr Geraint Howells: rose —
Mr Geraint Howells: Yes. I declare my interest as I am involved with the agriculture industry. I oppose the motion on several grounds. First, rather than produce justice and fair play as the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) claims, the Bill would merely add to the complexities inherent in the present rating system. We all know that there are many anomalies and unjustices in that system and that we...
Mr Geraint Howells: Having analysed and dismissed several choices for rating reform, the hon. Gentleman presented his own solution thus: we should sweep away all rates—for householders, industry and commerce—and provide funds for local councils from the Treasury. In this way, he says: we would get rid of all the injustices of rates entirely. Today, however, with this measure the hon. Gentleman is turning his...