Matthew Taylor: I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me this opportunity to make my maiden speech. It is not especially easy to come into the House in such tragic circumstances and I am conscious of the remarkable precedent set by my predecessor, Mr. David Penhaligon. It is rare on the death of an hon. Member, even in such tragic circumstances, that such a huge wave of sympathy and such a great...
Matthew Taylor: I must start in this debate with a general look into research in this country, before turning to the specific problems of the research councils. Certain things stand out. One is that, while it is true that in this country some 50 per cent. of research spending goes on defence, in France it is only one third, in West Germany it is less than 10 per cent., and in Japan it is a minuscule 2·5 per...
Matthew Taylor: I can only hope that that is not true. I still feel—it is certainly the feeling that the AUT had when I spoke to its members earlier on—that it may well have been simply a misunderstanding, an oversight. If it was, we can hope that the Secretary of State and the Minister will realise and acknowledge the mistake and take appropriate action. If that is not the case, it does not change the...
Matthew Taylor: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the term "new projects" is misleading, because many of those projects will involve current research teams entering new phases of work that require new funding? Therefore, current projects in progress may indeed be affected.
Matthew Taylor: rose——
Matthew Taylor: rose——
Matthew Taylor: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that one way in which British exports and manufacturing industry could be helped would be immediately to enter the European monetary system exchange rate mechanism? That would help by stimulating lower interest rates and bringing the continuity to the exchange rate that is so badly lacking, as is demonstrated by the present fluctuations.
Matthew Taylor: rose——
Matthew Taylor: I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman is a little confused about one aspect. The alliance is grasping the nettle of reforming our tax and benefit proposals so that those who work will gain more than those who are out of work, unlike what happens under the present system. Surely the hon. Gentleman welcomes the alliance proposals on that?
Matthew Taylor: The theme of tonight's debate has been that our society needs to be a fair one that gives everyone equal rights and rewards, and in which responsibility and power are shared out evenly and widely. I wish to take the opportunity to correct an error that I have heard constantly in the debate. There has not been much progression in the debate, but perhaps we can get at least one point across....
Matthew Taylor: There is no overall control of the county of Cornwall, although that might change in the near future. Despite the resource allocation working party, in 1984–85 the south-west was 4 per cent. below the Government's health target. Only Trent and Wessex were worse off. In Cornwall unskilled people will probably die before retirement age at twice the rate for professional people. This...
Matthew Taylor: No, I must draw my speech to a close. I am afraid that I am running out of lime. In his recent Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer had £6 billion to spend or give away. Rather than invest that money in the policies that are contained in our policy documents, to which my right hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dr. Owen) referred, he chose to line the pockets of those who are...
Matthew Taylor: Is the Minister aware that in Cornwall over 100 rural schools face closure under present Government criteria? Does he not agree that it would make more sense to change those criteria so that the wider community in the villages is taken into account in deciding the future of those small rural schools?
Matthew Taylor: asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his latest estimate of the level of import penetration in the manufacturing sector.
Matthew Taylor: Does the Secretary of State agree that an import penetration level for the manufacturing sector of nearly one third suggests that we are not as competitive as the Government claim in manufacturing, a view surely confirmed by the record deficit on manufacturing forecast in the Budget?
Matthew Taylor: Various hon. Members have said that this is a debate about taxation rather than about such issues as education and health. However, we should discuss how the £2·5 billion could best be used and what our constituents are saying that money should be used for. It should also be a debate about prudence. That money could be used for long-term investment in training and in the National Health...
Matthew Taylor: We shall vote against the clause in the context of the Government's announced spending plans. As for our plans, we have said clearly that, if we can fund our priorities without increasing taxation, naturally we will do so. But if we cannot, we are prepared to increase taxation because we believe that that is the priority for which the people are asking, for which this nation is crying out and...
Matthew Taylor: I was interested to note in the introduction to the supplementary report that, before making this report and determining the amount available for grants, the Secretary of State consulted with associations of local authorities that "appeared to him" to be concerned and any local authority with which consultation "appeared to him" to be desirable. For the alliance this spells out exactly the...
Matthew Taylor: We would set a local income tax locally on the basis of what needs to be spent. Surely the hon. Gentleman would accept that it is far better for people to pay according to their means than according to some rough and ready estimate through rates or a poll tax. I believe that such a system has the support of the British people. We are proposing to return local democracy to the hands of the...
Matthew Taylor: We accept the need for an equalisation fund based precisely on the criteria outlined by the hon. Gentleman. Not everywhere has the same income levels to generate the support that would be needed. What we must get away from is the ludicrous and complicated system that the Government are offering us.