Frank Dobson: It is customary in a maiden speech to pay tribute to one's predecessor and have a quick trip round one's constituency. I have no sense of obligation in paying tribute to my predecessor, Lena Jeger. She was a most doughty fighter for democratic Socialism and a powerful advocate of the interests of the people I hope to represent. She first came into the House in 1953. She delayed her maiden...
Frank Dobson: Unlike the happy wanderers on the other side of the Chamber, I shall confine my remarks entirely to clause 4—and I hope that no one will object to that statement. I am concerned about the proposal to pay a salary instead of allowances to the new chairman of the London Transport passengers' committee. A number of questions need to be answered: why is that salary needed, what level of salary...
Frank Dobson: Will the Minister tell us how he reconciles his answer with the Budget Statement in which the Chancellor announced a relaxation of controls on the release of land for development— most of which, presumably, is agricultural land?
Frank Dobson: What machinery is the Minister establishing to monitor any relationship that there may be between the so-called incentives introduced in the Budget and growth in manufacturing output?
Frank Dobson: Will the Minister tell us whether it is the Government's intention to instruct the appropriate authorities to sell off the duty-free shops at airports?
Frank Dobson: It may be that my memory is failing me at this hour of the morning, but I seem to remember the Prime Minister talking about the creation of a land of opportunity in which children would grow, and some would grow taller than others. It is clear that the message from the recent VAT increases is that children should not grow taller, because the taller and the faster they grow, under the system...
Frank Dobson: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I might describe this as a maiden point of order. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I seek your indulgence more than hon. Members normally do. I find myself at a loss following your ruling, because it is my understanding that one of our duties, both individually and collectively, is to consider the expenditure of moneys by the Government. As I understand your ruling,...
Frank Dobson: I have said before in the House that my knowledge of education does not border on the academic. It is based entirely on my experience as a child at school and subsequently as a parent of children at other schools. All those schools were State schools. Therefore, I have an advantage over the bulk of the Conservative Cabinet and Conservative Members. Perhaps they should keep quiet during the...
Frank Dobson: I willingly accept that there are a number of Conservative Members who send their children to State schools. As for some of those hon. Members serving as school governors, I can only say that some of their ancestors served as governors in the colonies—and the relationships involved are similar. Before I was so elegantly interrupted, I said that I had to draw on my experiences and bring to...
Frank Dobson: I hope that you will accept that my ramble is relevant, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because I said at the beginning of my speech that I can draw only on my own experiences and relate them to the Bill and the proposed new clauses. Under the system of grammar school and secondary modern school differentiation, there is virtually no provision for transfer between schools after the first determination...
Frank Dobson: Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House when this poll was conducted and also make the contents of the poll available to hon. Members?
Frank Dobson: Mr. Dobson rose—
Frank Dobson: It may help my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) if he recalls that the hon. Member for Bute and North Ayrshire (Mr. Corrie), when introducing this Bill, referred to the poll and kindly undertook to supply me with a copy of it, which I have since received. He does not seem to be aware of the contents of the document. Written on the top is the statement We think this is...
Frank Dobson: The Minister said that he would continue to permit health centres to be built where there was a local demand. Does that mean where there is a demand from local people or only where there is a demand from the local general practitioners? If the latter, they will be able to continue to obstruct the development of health centres.
Frank Dobson: We have heard practically everyone blamed today for the situation in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia except the place where I believe the blame most heavily lies. It lies with successive British Governments and successive British Parliaments. The performance of successive British Governments and the monitoring of those Governments by successive Parliaments has been a disgrace to this country and to our...
Frank Dobson: We do not know whether blood was drawn at the meeting of the Labour Party executive today, but it is extremely doubtful whether my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition had the 187 auxiliaries who supported my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) shot.
Frank Dobson: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men have left the Metropolitan police special patrol group since 1 April as a result of (a) their own request or resignation and (b) decisions of their superiors.
Frank Dobson: Does the Home Secretary agree that one of the merits of the general British system of policing is that local policemen deal with local matters and have to live with the consequences of their actions? Does he accept that the special patrol group represents a concept that is wholly alien to that basic merit of the British system, in that it frequently moves into an area, causes a great deal of...
Frank Dobson: I cannot understand the remarks about Government policy by the hon. Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt). The general view is that London faces an economic, social and employment blitz imposed by what has been described as the most reactionary Government since 1945. The original blitz had come to an end before 1945. However, we are experiencing a blitz as a result of the Government's policies....
Frank Dobson: I thought that Whips were supposed to keep quiet during de- bates. That rule no longer seems to apply. The area that I represent has been grossly exploited by major property companies over the years, and if public land is to be sold off to them, as appears to be the intention of the Government, that degree of exploitation will be increased, to the great disadvantage of the people whom I...