Sir Rolf Williams: I must confess that I never thought that the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan) would finish his speech by referring to the Suez operation. I should have thought that the behaviour of the Labour Party at that time was something which it would want to forget. I wish to address my remarks, strange to relate, to the Clause. It is clear, without doubt, that a considerable...
Sir Rolf Williams: I was referring to the remarks which have been made in the debate, Sir Herbert. I thought that we were entitled to exchange views and to defend ourselves. It is my case—and if you had allowed me to continue it would have become apparent—that the Government's policy in raising Income Tax is exactly the same policy which they used when they were last in power. It led not only to...
Sir Rolf Williams: I am not giving way to the hon. Gentleman till I have finished what I have to say. The rate of inflation when the Labour Party was in power was 6 per cent. per annum. When we were in power it was 2½ per cent. Now the hon. Gentleman can have his say.
Sir Rolf Williams: They must have a very elementary knowledge of economics in the Hebrides. That is the only way the hon. Gentleman can get away with this sort of thing. In fact, it was because the Labour Party had mismanaged the country's affairs, and it will do exactly the same now. One of the great mistakes that the Government are making is to raise the standard rate of Income Tax.
Sir Rolf Williams: I am not giving way. The hon. Gentleman has had one go. He can sit down and listen to me for a bit. I have got quite a lot to say, and I do not want to take too long, because I know that some hon. Gentlemen opposite want to get some sleep tonight. As I said, out of all this money which will come from the pockets of the people due to the rise in the standard rate of Income Tax, some will go...
Sir Rolf Williams: I was talking to an industrialist this morning who is having a tremendous battle in the export field, and of whose production 72 per cent. goes for export, and he said that 30 prices had risen last Friday. That is the effect of the policy of the Government. What is the position of the old-age pensioner? By the time he gets his benefits one thing is certain—the pension he is getting today...
Sir Rolf Williams: Very difficult!
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order. Sir Samuel, I heard the hon. Gentleman making disparaging remarks about the Chair. Is that in order?
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order. In view of the fact that there was some confusion, could the Question be put again?
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Dr. King. We are, as I understand, considering the first Amendment, which refers to the Minister of Land and Natural Resources. The right hon. Gentleman's reply on behalf of the Government is referring also to Amendments Nos. 2 and 3. While I support Amendment No. 1, I do not think that I support Amendment No. 3, and, as we have not agreed to take all these Amendments...
Sir Rolf Williams: I will.
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order. May I seek your guidance, Dr. King? It is obvious that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, one of the most courteous of hon. Members, is severely embarrassed because he cannot answer numbers of the questions which have been put by right hon. and and hon. Friends. In view of this, and as we are trying to justify this considerable expenditure of public money, would...
Sir Rolf Williams: I want to answer the scandalous allegation that was made by the Attorney-General against scientists and engineers of Britain. He said in the course of his speech that it was necessary for the Ministry of Technology to be brought within the scope of this Bill because this country is lagging behind the scientific development in the whole of Europe. I have never heard a more disgraceful...
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As I understand, the right hon. Gentleman the First Secretary of State has made a statement which will result in considerable changes in the way we conduct our affairs. We have asked him for an opportunity for a debate and the right hon. Gentleman will not give us time for a debate. He is to start implementing this new organisation. May I put it to you, Mr....
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Dr. King. Would it be in order for me to put a question through you to the Patronage Secretary, as the right hon. Gentleman is looking at the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Maxwell) in such a way that I wonder whether he will see him as well as the hon. Lady the Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mrs. Anne Kerr)?
Sir Rolf Williams: May I oppose the suggestion made by my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Longbottom)? Every time the Chancellor comes here he makes things worse. May I repeat the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Torquay (Sir F. Bennett), who asked if we were to have a statement before the House broke up about the credit squeeze, in respect of which the Government have given instructions? Does...
Sir Rolf Williams: I have been listening most carefully to what my right hon. Friend has said about the percentages. Is it not a fact that the number of non-capital murders has substantially increased while the number of capital murders has remained the same?
Sir Rolf Williams: In view of the remarks made by the hon. Member for Salford, West (Mr. Orme), will the hon. and learned Gentleman consider publishing in HANSARD a list of members of the Government who did not go to a State school and of hon. and right hon. Members opposite who do not intend to send their children there?
Sir Rolf Williams: Does not the hon. Gentleman know that many sections of the public service are absolutely seething at the way their pensions are being eroded by the inflation taking place under the present Government? Will he give immediate attention to rectifying this scandalous state of affairs?
Sir Rolf Williams: Another important matter is that their salaries can go up one weekend and can come down the next.