Mr George Foulkes: As a new Member, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I should also like to put on record my gratitude to hon. Members and Officers who have shown me around the complexities of this House. I agree with the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth (Mr. Heddle) with alacrity on that, for, having heard his subsequent remarks, I think that it will be one of the few matters on which I shall agree with him. With the...
Mr George Foulkes: Will the Minister state the effect which the Chancellor's announcement yesterday about a reduction in rate support grant to local authorities will have on the social work services, especially for the old and the mentally handicapped?
Mr George Foulkes: Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the cost of the settlement will be included in the rate support grant settlement to the local authorities?
Mr George Foulkes: Prior to the recess the Minister gave an assurance to one of his hon. Friends that he would give special consideration to the problems of disabled drivers, who cannot take part in the panic scramble for petrol. Will he now give an indication of the result of that consideration and what action he proposes to take to help disabled drivers?
Mr George Foulkes: Will the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House and to many thousands of disappointed pensioners why he has made no announcement about an increase in the death grant, despite the many representations that he has received? Will he further explain why the Christmas bonus is still to be at the level of £10 whereas, in real terms, to keep up with its value when it was introduced, it should be...
Mr George Foulkes: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that all the statements to which he has referred relate only to the 40 per cent. rule? Does he further agree that the terms of the 40 per cent. rule meant that abstention counted as a "No" vote and that that did not apply to any other aspect of the referendum?
Mr George Foulkes: I listened in some amazement to the knock-about speech delivered by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galbraith). The Minister was writhing and wriggling in his seat. I realise that the hon. Member for Hillhead represents the true voice of Unionism that is now reasserting itself, perhaps to the disquiet of the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. Member for Edinburgh,...
Mr George Foulkes: I would not arrogate to myself the responsibility of predicting what the Scottish electorate might have done. I suggest that the inclusion of this clause resulted in our presence here today. I did not make any prediction or judgment about what the result would have been with or without the inclusion of this clause. It was an unusual parliamentary device. I do not think anyone will deny that...
Mr George Foulkes: I always appreciate advice from my constituents—not least from the hon. Gentleman. In their short period of office the Government have put forward a great deal of legislation. Why should Parliament be tied up with the detailed discussion of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Bill and all that that means? More detailed and thoughtful consideration would have been given to the matter if there had been...
Mr George Foulkes: I accept that correction. It may be thought that I am rehashing the old arguments that were discussed at the time the Scotland Bill became an Act. If so, I apologise. However, in doing so I am arguing very strongly against the repeal of this Act. The arguments put forward over the last two years are equally as strong today and must be considered when discussing the repeal of the Act. We must...
Mr George Foulkes: Will my hon. Friend agree that the debate would not have been on a repeal order but in a different context?
Mr George Foulkes: The Minister has answered none of the points raised by several hon. Members in the debate. Does he intend to do so?
Mr George Foulkes: I asked three specific questions. The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland was present and took note of them and said that his ministerial colleague would answer them when replying to the debate. They related to the timetable of the talks.
Mr George Foulkes: asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects next to meet the chairman of the British Steel Corporation.
Mr George Foulkes: In view of the Secretary of State's concern to reduce public expenditure, will he when he next meets the chairman ask for an explanation of the disgracefully profligate expenditure undertaken by the corporation at the official opening ceremony of the Hunters-ton complex, which has no productive value at present?
Mr George Foulkes: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that many pensioners, in cutting down on the cost of heating and food, are hastening their death and will regrettably have to meet the cost of their funeral far earlier than they might otherwise have done?
Mr George Foulkes: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider giving a special bonus of £16 to single pensioners and £25 to married pensioners to take account of the shortfall in their pensions due to the inaccurate forecast of the level of inflation made in calculating the last pension increase.
Mr George Foulkes: Will the hon. Lady agree that the changes to be made in pensions will only allow prospectively for the miscalculation, and not for the miscalculation in the current year? Is she aware that in the current year pensioners are losing out by the amount that I quoted in my question? Will she take the opportunity of the Bill dealing with the Christmas bonus to introduce a summer bonus as well to...
Mr George Foulkes: asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will refer to his working party on football violence the recent problems in connection with the Scotland-England football match.
Mr George Foulkes: Does the Minister recognise that his reply indicates considerable complacency on the Government's part? Is he aware that there is a great deal of concern in Scotland among genuine football supporters about the violence that took place on the trains from Glasgow to London, on the London Underground and in the streets of London? Will he reconsider his decision and arrange for an early meeting...