Mr Harry Randall: This has been a very agreeable debate. There has been little hostility. It seems to me that there has been a desire for understanding. We all recognise the pressures on those who have a particular constituency interest. One expects them to raise their voice in the House so that their constituents may recognise that the view which they hold is presented to Parliament. When it is put to us that...
Mr Harry Randall: I have not argued that it is an inconsiderable number. I could argue that it is sufficient for the ferry to be viable. That is our problem. If only there were sufficient passengers to maintain the ferry economically, that would be quite different, but there has been a serious decline in the number of passengers. The Port of Tyne Authority rightly comes to the House, as did the previous...
Mr Harry Randall: Had my hon. Friend kept quiet a little while, I was going on to say that he wanted a new boat. But who will pay for the new boat?
Mr Harry Randall: Exactly. But somebody wants to know who is to be responsible for the 20 years' life of the boat, who will maintain it, who will adjudicate upon the fare and whether the fare is satisfactory. These are all urgent matters to be considered, especially if responsibility is to be transferred. The Bill gives the opportunity for the passenger transport executive itself to give consideration to...
Mr Harry Randall: asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the number of petitions which have been forwarded to her in connection with the December Sign-In on world poverty; and what is the approximate overall number of signatures to the latest convenient date.
Mr Harry Randall: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government will make to the programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1970.
Mr Harry Randall: That is not an entirely satisfactory reply. Is my hon. Friend aware that, in the other place, when there was a debate on the European Refugee Commission, an undertaking was given by the Government spokesman that when the economic situation improved the High Commission's programme would be one of the first priorities? Will my hon. Friend keep this in mind for the pledging Conference next week?
Mr Harry Randall: I welcome the opportunity to follow the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby) and, clearly, the contribution he has made arises from his work in the Post Office. His comments have indeed been informative. I have been very glad indeed that so far in this debate no hon. Member has decided that this is an opportunity to raise the temperature as, perhaps, it was raised a week ago. This is all to...
Mr Harry Randall: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the House and the public will welcome the reasons being removed for the frustration of the counter clerks and that so far as the reasonable demand that they have made is concerned the House is glad that this has now been met? May I thank my right hon. Friend for the part he has played, and also wish him well in the negotiations which must follow?
Mr Harry Randall: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the reasons for the token work stoppages and the threatened strike ought not to be allowed to continue? While I congratulate my right hon. Friend for the part that he has played in trying to avert this—and may I also congratulate the postal and telegraph officers who have made a contribution to productivity and have had no offer yet—may I ask him ...
Mr Harry Randall: I do not think that the people of the North could complain of the debate we have had today. On both sides of the House there has been a very clear presentation of their needs. But I do not want necessarily to deal with the desperate needs of the North-East. They exist, and are the result of 40 years of industrial imbalance, but if the House stressed too much the needs of the North-East it...
Mr Harry Randall: Reverting to my hon. Friend's statement about the Post Office, and the deferment of the legislation until next year, is he aware that this will do very little to allay the apprehensions of the staff of the Post Office, as against the staff associations? They are apprehensive at the moment, particularly about conditions of work, superannuation, and a number of other matters. Is there nothing...
Mr Harry Randall: asked the Minister of Health what further representations he has received, in addition to those made by the hon. Member for Gateshead, West, concerning the appointment of the chairman of the Gateshead and District Hospital Management Committee; whether such representation involved the selection of members of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board and its district hospital management...
Mr Harry Randall: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the question which my hon. Friend and I have raised give my right hon. Friend notice of rising disquiet and deep concern regarding the appointment both of regional boards and hospital management committees? Will he do more than take note of this situation; will he take action to ensure that there is more consultation than has apparently taken place so far?
Mr Harry Randall: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. The Bill has received support from both sides of the House. Consequently, it has had a very speedy and smooth passage, Therefore, all that I wish to do is to express my gratitude to hon. Members on both sides of the House for their co-operation and assistance. I am particularly grateful to my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary...
Mr Harry Randall: asked the Minister of Health if he will give loan sanction for the additional two old people's homes in Gateshead in order that the complete programme of six homes may be built and the present former workhouse accommodation be demolished.
Mr Harry Randall: I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware that his decision will help the local authority in improving the conditions for the old people of Gateshead?
Mr Harry Randall: asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the redundancies which will arise by the proposal to transfer the work of the British Railways chief accountant's office at Newcastle-upon-Tyne to York; and what proposals he has to deal with those who will be displaced.
Mr Harry Randall: Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is disturbing that 80 jobs should be transferred from a development area? Was he informed of this transfer in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government that jobs should be directed to development areas?
Mr Harry Randall: Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this new development of the 625-line system will not in any way impair the improvement of those areas where there is faulty reception at the moment?