Mr David Alton: Will the Home Secretary make some comment on the inconsistencies that have arisen because of the different rulings that have been given by various local authorities to the various National Front groups? Brent council, as mentioned earlier, refused to allow the National Front to use a local hall. Many other local authorities have been placed in a dilemma because they have been given different...
Mr David Alton: May I return to the question of the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) about special development area status for Merseyside? When does the Minister expect to give a decision? It is fair to say that in an area with 11 per cent. unemployment this is a burning issue.
Mr David Alton: I congratulate the hon. Member for Coventry, South-West (Mr. Butcher) on his maiden speech. He remarked that there were three parties on the Birmingham city council. I am glad to assure him that there are three parties in this place, and in congratulating the hon. Gentleman and making my contribution to the debate I am happy to speak from the Liberal Bench. The hon. Gentleman's speech, I...
Mr David Alton: First, I quote from a brief produced by the National Council for Civil Liberties earlier this year, which states: The National Council for Civil Liberties considers that the proposals, if implemented, would be a serious limitation on the freedom of association and expression. It is disturbing that the law can be amended in such a fundamental way through the introduction of private Bills by...
Mr David Alton: There are spontaneous occasions when there is a wish to demonstrate because, for example, a child has been caused an accident while playing in the road, because a Conservative-controlled authority has introduced massive rate increases, or because there has been an industrial injustice. Advance notice will prevent that type of a spontaneous demonstration. It is significant that the original...
Mr David Alton: Will the hon. Gentleman say how many people were arrested as a result of that incident in 1971? What damage was done to property as a result of it? Would it have occurred if there had been this provision in the legislation?
Mr David Alton: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that while there is procrastination people are being shipped out from Malaysia who will be in need of immediate help? Discussions may go on around the conference table while people are being drowned. What action will the Government take to help them? Secondly, what action will be taken against the Malaysian Government as soon as the first shot is fired?
Mr David Alton: First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Woolmer) on a confident and eloquently delivered speech. I also congratulate you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, on your appointment. We have heard a number of speeches about the sale of council houses. The Secretary of State for the Environment opened the debate by talking about his scheme for the sale of council dwellings. We on the...
Mr David Alton: Will the hon. Gentleman clarify a matter that I raised earlier? It concerns tenants who have lived in a property for a number of years and decide to move into another property. If someone has been a tenant for 20 years in a four-bedroomed house and decides to move to a two-bedroomed house—moving from under-occupied property into smaller accommodation—how will the discount he receives be...
Mr David Alton: In rising to speak I am conscious of the fact that this is the closing moment of this Parliament. That brings to mind two matters. Earlier, we heard the final contribution in this House of the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle), while today sees my first contribution to this Parliament. I know there is a convention that hon. Members congratulate new hon. Members on maiden...
