Mr John Browne: My hon. Friend is talking about the legal liabilities of the British Government. Is he absolutely satisfied that the exchange of letters and the full briefings given to the guardsmen have been released to their solicitors, so that their legal representatives stand a chance of proving negligence on behalf of Her Majesty's Government? Without that chance, the guardsmen will not receive any...
Mr John Browne: Will my hon. Friend give way?
Mr John Browne: I thank the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) for giving me the opportunity to speak. I also congratulate the hon. Gentleman on winning the ballot and instigating this important debate. My hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, East (Mr. Sayeed) asked several questions to which I shall be very interested to hear the answers. I believe that it will be difficult for the Minister to...
Mr John Browne: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Mr John Browne: My hon. Friend has mentioned tax incentives and the environment. Does he accept that one of the greatest sources of new energy is energy conservation? Does the charter take this into account, particularly with regard to rebates for people, companies and Governments throughout the European Community, as well as in eastern and central Europe, that invest in energy conservation?
Mr John Browne: I rise to speak briefly in support of the speeches by the hon. Members for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) and for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes). I also agree with my hon. Friend the Minister that the Chairman of Ways and Means has done us a great service by tabling this motion, and I strongly support it. I understand and share the misgivings of the hon. Member for Southwark and...
Mr John Browne: I accept your ruling, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We are considering the application of the rules to the private construction of roads. Probably the major proposal in the country affects my constituency— the private financing of the tunnel for the M3 at Winchester. That is why I have mentioned the case. It is important, and it is in Britain's interest, to uphold the EC directive. Most of the other...
Mr John Browne: Has my right hon. Friend read early-day motion 776? [That this House, conscious of the fact that real care for the men and women of our armed forces has enabled our country to rely, even to the point of ultimate sacrifice, upon their loyalty, steadfastness and efficiency in times of grave national threat, is astounded to note that, when digging a trench during an official Army exercise in...
Mr John Browne: Will my hon. Friend confirm that companies are free to negotiate price with the electricity companies and generators and, furthermore, that electricity companies are free to offer discounts or even cash rebates to companies or individuals who invest in energy-saving measures?
Mr John Browne: I support the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) and the eloquent speeches of my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Stanbrook) and of my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Perth and Kinross (Sir N. Fairbairn). As they put the case extremely well, I shall make only one fundamental point about retrospection. Most hon. Members, if...
Mr John Browne: I do not agree with the hon. Lady that it is a funny time. It is an important time, and the hon. Lady has made my point clearly. The more severe the punishment—capital punishment even—the more we must strive for justice. There can be no justification for supporting capital punishment if trials admit of the possibility of injustice. That is my key point in this case, and I am glad that...
Mr John Browne: I am sure that we shall remember that. My second point relates to the right to cross-examine witnesses, which is fundamental to natural justice. My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington made it clear that, in this case, the rules have been bent to suit this Bill. The last of my three basic points concerns knowledge of the law, which is assumed in our system of justice. I support the...
Mr John Browne: The right hon. Gentleman makes an eloquent argument for plugging the gap, with which most right hon. and hon. Members would agree. The question is whether that gap should be plugged retrospectively. It may be convenient and popular to take that action, but would it be just?
Mr John Browne: My hon. Friend's argument is not quite right. We are seeking to extend the jurisdiction. I believe that that is right and I agreed with much of what the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) said. But in this case we are seeking to extend the jurisdiction retrospectively. That is the crucial issue.
Mr John Browne: Retrospectively.
Mr John Browne: During my right hon. and learned Friend's discussions, did anything take place that might encourage local authorities to cut adult education or is adult education something which the Government believe should be pursued?
Mr John Browne: Does my right hon. Friend accept that strict punishment of the perpetrators of human rights violations will act as a deterrent in the future and that it should be actively pursued? On the subject of reparations, will my right hon. Friend bear it in mind and urge our colleagues in the alliance to bear it in mind that the Iraqi people have lived under the tyrant Saddam Hussein for several...
Mr John Browne: I wish briefly to support the new clause. My hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Gregory) has spoken ably on it, and I agree with almost every word that he said. Of course, to have legislation on random breath testing is a curb on individual freedom, but we already accept curbs on individual freedom. We have to drive on the left of the road, we have to wear safety belts, and we have to obey...
Mr John Browne: My hon. Friend's active support of the TA is well known. Does he agree that the TA offers flexibility of manning as well as of spending for the Army, both of which are extremely important? If we use the TA, we can spend more on the essential battlefield oxygen of logistics. We are learning how important that is in the Gulf, in a modern high-intensity battlefield. Does my hon. Friend agree...
Mr John Browne: Does my right hon. Friend accept that, in a terrorist war, each one of us is directly or indirectly involved? As the terrorist has to exist among us, we all can and must play a part through a much higher sense of vigilance. Does he believe that in this respect the media can play an extremely valuable educational role?
