Mr Reginald Eyre: I am grateful to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) for drafting his motion so as to allow hon. Members who represent constituencies in provincial cities to take part in the debate. Some of the points that I shall make are relevant to the matters that he raised. From my experience in Birmingham, I would put the beginning of the deterioration in our inner cities at an earlier date than do...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I have sympathy with some of what the hon. Gentleman has said. He will appreciate the need for political stability in areas of development, otherwise private funds will not be forthcoming. That is the crux of the problem.
Mr Reginald Eyre: That is a London issue. I am not sure of the accuracy of the hon. Gentleman's assertion. I hope that he will forgive me, but I am sure that a great many of my right hon. and hon. Friends who represent London constituencies will be glad to take up that point with him. Because of the success of development schemes, the Government's decision to announce four more urban development corporations...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am interested in that matter and, if the right hon. Gentleman will permit me, I shall deal with it as soon as possible. People's involvement in the development schemes that I have described is assisted by the spread of home ownership and of small business ownership which can be promoted in the development. Moreover, as land in inner areas is made available, I am confident, on account of...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I made it clear that the Birmingham proposal has the support of the two main parties. I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to be political and over simple about this matter. If he studied all the papers on this matter, he would realise that in order to establish a proper framework in which private enterprise can be involved successfully and with confidence over a period of years, it is...
Mr Reginald Eyre: Yes, that scheme is already of immense value and is playing a part in improving conditions in many big city areas. Secondly, I should like to see greater involvement of parents in the education of their children, and increased representation on governing bodies is one way of doing this. Thirdly, I am encouraged by the development of neighbourhood watch schemes in big cities. I understand...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am impressed that my hon. Friend has seen the booklet. He is right to say that there is a claim, which I shall have to examine, that "Leeds Leads." I am told by the English Tourist Board that this form of advertisement has already generated over £1 million of business by way of visits to big cities. We now have the possibility of developing policies that can deal with the worst of the...
Mr Reginald Eyre: Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is to be congratulated on the realism of his proposals and that the underpinning of Austin Rover that will be achieved by the Government's further commitment that he specified is to be welcomed? Will he confirm that, with the joint venture proposals affecting Freight Rover, there will be no loss of jobs at the Common lane factory in Birmingham? Will he...
Mr Reginald Eyre: Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is right to move to reduce the chaos that has existed at Heathrow airport in recent months? Does he appreciate that the visa system will be of advantage to Birmingham families and to visitors from the countries referred to because of the certainty that will exist, providing that my right hon. Friend can ensure that emergency cases relating to bereavements...
Mr Reginald Eyre: The hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) spoke of his feeling for the problems of the inner areas. I do not underrate those problems. I should like to look to the future of the inner areas, especially in the large cities and conurbations, where so many of these problems are concentrated. The hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) was straightforward in acknowledging that the...
Mr Reginald Eyre: beg to move, That an humble Address he presented to Her Majesty, as follows:Most Gracious Sovereign,We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament....
Mr Reginald Eyre: Is my hon. Friend aware that, despite the surprisingly ill-informed reaction of Labour Members, the White Paper's approach is very much to be welcomed, particularly the proposals relating to the simplified planning zones? These could be helpful in contributing to the solution of the problems of the inner city areas, and would help to attract developments into those areas, where unemployment...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am glad to accept the amendment in the names of the hon. Member for Birmingham. Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis), the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) and the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms. Short). I believe that it expresses a feeling that is widely held in Birmingham. I agree with the interpretation of the clause which was developed by the hon. Member for Ladywood and...
Mr Reginald Eyre: The costings exercise has not been completed, so it is not possible to talk about costs in detail The principle of having attractive terms for those in the west midlands appeals to us all and the notion of having a special consideration for the people of Birmingham has been accepted on both sides of the House. We want especially attractive terms to be available to Birmingham people. In all...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am glad to accept this amendment. As a result, the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be necessary.
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am glad to welcome amendment No. 21, which makes it clear that the motor race will not be held during the Easter bank holiday, and especially that the preparatory racing which the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davies) mentioned, will not take place on Easter Sunday. I am sure that hon. Members on both sides of the House welcome the amendment, and I give it my support.
Mr Reginald Eyre: In amendment No. 8 the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) presses for the insertion of the word "reasonable". I have listened to his speech and thought about the proposal and I think that it is reasonable to accept his reasonable amendment. I understand the hon. Gentleman's arguments in relation to amendment No. 9. It is with pleasure that I accept that amendment. I am...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I accept the arguments by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis). Earlier I said that the drafting error would be corrected by an amendment moved in another place. However, I am happy to say that the hon. Gentleman's amendment is acceptable. I should like the hon. Gentleman to know that the West Midlands regional health authority has confirmed to the city council its...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I appreciate what the hon. Members for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis) and for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) have said. We are entering the final stages of our examination of the Bill to which we have given close attention and we all agree that it is much improved. I hope that the possibility of a formal Third Reading will continue, because certain expenses — promotional costs —...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
