§ Amendments made:
§ No. 92, in page 125, line 22, at end insert—
| '2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. iv. | The Dover Harbour Consolidation Act 1954. | Section 120.' |
§ No. 93, in page 125, line 41, column 3, at end insert—
| `Section 17'. |
§
No. 94, in page 126, line 12, column 3, leave out
`93(1)(ii) and (viii) and 94'
and insert
'93(1)(i), (ii) and (viii), 94 and 98'.
§ No. 95, in page 126, line 15, column 3, after '(3)', insert '(4)'.
§ No. 96, in page, line 16, column 3, leave out from '32' to `to' in line 17 and insert '36'.
§ No. 98, in page 127, line 36, column 3, leave out `Schedule 1' and insert 'Schedule 2'.—[Mr. Michael Marshall.]
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
Everybody in the Chamber will know that this has been a very long sitting—nearly 23 hours. During that time we have had 23 debates and 15 Divisions, and have dealt with 125 amendments.
I thank my right hon. and hon. Friends for their support during those 23 hours. I particularly welcome the presence of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, who was voting with us at 6.30 this morning, whereas the Leader of the Opposition has been marked by his absence.
I thank my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the help that he has given me. When we were discussing how to approach the handling of Report and Third Reading, we said that when we put our hands to the plough we would go through to the end of the furrow. We have done that. There has been no U-turn.
It is right that I should recognise the services of the "Opposition Chief Whip", the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Mr. Mikardo) and his "Deputy Chief 572 Whip", the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner). They marshalled their forces superbly. It is the shape of things to come.
I commend this important Bill to the House. I believe that it will be one of the most important measures of this Parliament. It will transform one of our great growth industries—telecommunicatons—from being dominated by a monopoly to being driven by competition. We intend to liberalise the monopoly. This will provide great opportunities for British companies. It will provide more jobs and growth.
This is an excellent Bill, and I commend it to the House.
§ Mr. OrmeThis is an important but bad Bill—and it is no laughing matter. During the 23 hours of debate we have dealt with key issues such as the right to strike, pensions, the monopoly, cash limits, Cable and Wireless, telephone tapping, and mail interception. That is one reason why we have discussed the Bill for such a long time.
We make no apologies for having examined the Bill in great detail. I thank my hon. Friends for the way in which they have conducted the campaign throughout the night. We shall return to this issue again, because for us it is not closed. We have given a pledge that we shall restore the public monopoly, and we warn people that they could get their fingers burnt, because we shall not tolerate people making a profit out of this denationalisation measure.
On that basis, I ask my right hon. and hon. Friends to vote against the Third Reading.
§ Question put, That the Bill be now read the Third time:—
§ The House proceeded to a Division—
§ Mr. John Wells (Maidstone)(seated and covered): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have always understood that hon. Members' votes should follow their voices. I understand that the hon. Member for Norfolk, North-West (Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler) voted for the Bill on Second Reading and against it on Third Reading. Which is his vote and which is his voice?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman will be well aware that everyone in this place is entitled to change his mind.
§ The House having divided: Ayes 257, Noes, 156.
576| Division No. 146] | [2.36 pm |
| AYES | |
| Adley, Robert | Garel-Jones, Tristan |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Glyn, Dr Alan |
| Alexander, Richard | Goodlad, Alastair |
| Alison, Michael | Gorst, John |
| Alton, David | Gow, Ian |
| Ancram, Michael | Gower, Sir Raymond |
| Arnold, Tom | Grant, Anthony (Harrow C) |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Gray, Hamish |
| Atkins, Robert (Preston N) | Greenway, Harry |
| Atkinson, David (B'm'th.E) | Griffiths, E.(B'y St. Edm'ds) |
| Baker, Kenneth (St.M'bone) | Griffiths, Peter Portsm'th N) |
| Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset) | Grist, Ian |
| Banks, Robert | Grylls, Michael |
| Beaumont-Dark, Anthony | Gummer, John Selwyn |
| Beith, A. J. | Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) |
| Bell, Sir Ronald | Hampson, Dr Keith |
| Bendall, Vivian | Hannam, John |
| Benyon, Thomas (A'don) | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Benyon, W. (Buckingham) | Hastings, Stephen |
| Bevan, David Gilroy | Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael |
| Biggs-Davison, John | Hawkins, Paul |
| Blackburn, John | Hawksley, Warren |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Heddle, John |
| Boscawen, Hon Robert | Henderson, Barry |
| Bottomley, Peter (W'wich W) | Heseltine, Rt Hon Michael |
| Bowden, Andrew | Hicks, Robert |
| Boyson, Dr Rhodes | Hill, James |
| Bright, Graham | Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm) |
| Brinton, Tim | Hooson, Tom |
| Brittan, Leon | Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey |
| Brooke, Hon Peter | Howell, Ralph (N Norfolk) |
| Brotherton, Michael | Hunt, David (Wirral) |
| Brown, Michael (Brigg & Sc'n) | Jenkin, Rt Hon Patrick |
| Browne, John (Winchester) | Jessel, Toby |
| Bruce-Gardyne, John | Jopling, Rt Hon Michael |
| Bryan, Sir Paul | Joseph, Rt Hon Sir Keith |
| Buck, Antony | Kaberry, Sir Donald |
| Budgen, Nick | Kellett-Bowman, Mrs Elaine |
| Bulmer, Esmond | Kershaw, Anthony |
| Burden, Sir Frederick | Kilfedder, James A. |
| Butcher, John | King, Rt Hon Tom |
| Cadbury, Jocelyn | Knight, Mrs Jill |
| Carlisle, John (Luton West) | Knox, David |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Lamont, Norman |
| Chapman, Sydney | Lang, Ian |
| Churchill, W. S. | Langford-Holt, Sir John |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Latham, Michael |
| Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) | Lawrence, Ivan |
| Cockeram, Eric | Lawson, Rt Hon Nigel |
| Cope, John | Lee, John |
| Corrie, John | Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark |
| Costain, Sir Albert | Lester, Jim (Beeston) |
| Critchley, Julian | Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) |
| Crouch, David | Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) |
| Dean, Paul (North Somerset) | Loveridge, John |
| Dorrell, Stephen | Luce, Richard |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord J. | McCrindle, Robert |
| Dover, Denshore | McCusker, H. |
| du Cann, Rt Hon Edward | MacGregor, John |
| Dunn, Robert (Dartford) | MacKay, John (Argyll) |
| Durant, Tony | Macmillan, Rt Hon M. |
| Eden, Rt Hon Sir John | McNair-Wilson, M. (N'bury) |
| Eggar, Tim | McNair-Wilson, P. (New F'st) |
| Fairbairn, Nicholas | McQuarrie, Albert |
| Faith, Mrs Sheila | Madel, David |
| Farr, John | Major, John |
| Fenner, Mrs Peggy | Marlow, Tony |
| Finsberg, Geoffrey | Marshall, Michael (Arundel) |
| Fisher, Sir Nigel | Marten, Neil (Banbury) |
| Fletcher, A. (Ed'nb'gh N) | Mates, Michael |
| Fletcher-Cooke, Sir Charles | Maude, Rt Hon Sir Angus |
| Fookes, Miss Janet | Mawby, Ray |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Norman | Mawhinney, Dr Brian |
| Fox, Marcus | Mayhew, Patrick |
| Fraser, Peter (South Angus) | Meyer, Sir Anthony |
| Fry, Peter | Miller, Hal (B'grove) |
| Gardiner, George (Reigate) | Mills, Iain (Meriden) |
| Mills, Peter (West Devon) | Speed, Keith |
| Miscampbell, Norman | Speller, Tony |
| Moate, Roger | Spicer, Jim (West Dorset) |
| Monro, Hector | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Montgomery, Fergus | Sproat, Iain |
| Moore, John | Squire, Robin |
| Morgan, Geraint | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Morris, M. (N'hampton S) | Stanley, John |
| Morrison, Hon C. (Devizes) | Steen, Anthony |
| Mudd, David | Stevens, Martin |
| Murphy, Christopher | Stewart, Ian (Hitchin) |
| Neale, Gerrard | Stewart, A. (E Renfrewshire) |
| Needham, Richard | Stokes, John |
| Nelson, Anthony | Stradling Thomas, J. |
| Neubert, Michael | Taylor, Teddy (S'end E) |
| Newton, Tony | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Onslow, Cranley | Thatcher, Rt Hon Mrs M. |
| Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S. | Thomas, Rt Hon Peter |
| Osborn, John | Thompson, Donald |
| Page, Rt Hon Sir G. (Crosby) | Thorne, Neil (Ilford South) |
| Page, Richard (SW Herts) | Thornton, Malcolm |
| Parris, Matthew | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Patten, Christopher (Bath) | Townsend, Cyril D, (B'heath) |
| Pawsey, James | Trippier, David |
| Penhaligon, David | Trotter, Neville |
| Percival, Sir Ian | van Straubenzee, W. R. |
| Pink, R. Bonner | Vaughan, Dr Gerard |
| Pollock, Alexander | Viggers, Peter |
| Porter, Barry | Wakeham, John |
| Price, Sir David (Eastleigh) | Waldegrave, Hon William |
| Proctor, K. Harvey | Walker, B. (Perth) |
| Pym, Rt Hon Francis | Walker-Smith, Rt Hon Sir D. |
| Raison, Timothy | Waller, Gary |
| Rathbone, Tim | Ward, John |
| Rees-Davies, W. R. | Warren, Kenneth |
| Rhodes James, Robert | Watson, John |
| Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon | Wells, John (Maidstone) |
| Ridley, Hon Nicholas | Wells, Bowen |
| Rifkind, Malcolm | Wheeler, John |
| Roberts, Wyn (Conway) | Whitelaw, Rt Hon William |
| Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight) | Whitney, Raymond |
| Ross, Wm. (Londonderry) | Wickenden, Keith |
| Rossi, Hugh | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Rost, Peter | Wilkinson, John |
| Sainsbury, Hon Timothy | Williams, D.(Montgomery) |
| Shaw, Giles (Pudsey) | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Shelton, William (Streatham) | Wolfson, Mark |
| Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) | Young, Sir George (Acton) |
| Shepherd, Richard | Younger, Rt Hon George |
| Shersby, Michael | |
| Silvester, Fred | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Sims, Roger | Mr. Spencer Le Marchant and Mr. Carol Mather. |
| Skeet, T. H. H. | |
| Smith, Dudley |
| NOES | |
| Adams, Allen | Cowans, Harry |
| Anderson, Donald | Cox, T. (W'dsw'th, Toot'g) |
| Archer, Rt Hon Peter | Crawshaw, Richard |
| Ashton, Joe | Crowther, J. S. |
| Benn, Rt Hon A. Wedgwood | Cryer, Bob |
| Bennett, Andrew (St'kp't N) | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Booth, Rt Hon Albert | Cunningham, G. (Islington S) |
| Boothroyd, Miss Betty | Dalyell, Tam |
| Bradley, Tom | Davidson, Arthur |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Dean, Joseph (Leeds West) |
| Brocklebank-Fowler, C. | Dempsey, James |
| Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) | Dewar, Donald |
| Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith) | Dixon, Donald |
| Brown, Ronald W. (H'ckn'y S) | Dormand, Jack |
| Callaghan, Rt Hon J. | Douglas, Dick |
| Callaghan, Jim (Midd't'n & P) | Dubs, Alfred |
| Campbell, Ian | Duffy, A. E. P. |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G. |
| Carmichael, Neil | Eadie, Alex |
| Carter-Jones, Lewis | Eastham, Ken |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Edwards, R. (W'hampt'n S E) |
| Cocks, Rt Hon M. (B'stol S) | Ellis, R. (NE D'bysh're) |
| Coleman, Donald | Ellis, Tom (Wrexham) |
| Cook, Robin F. | English, Michael |
| Ennals, Rt Hon David | McTaggart, Robert |
| Evans, Ioan (Aberdare) | McWilliam, John |
| Evans, John (Newton) | Magee, Bryan |
| Fitt, Gerard | Marshall, Dr Edmund (Goole) |
| Flannery, Martin | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) | Martin, M (G'gow S'burn) |
| Ford, Ben | Maxton, John |
| Forrester, John | Meacher, Michael |
| Foster, Derek | Mikardo, Ian |
| Foulkes, George | Millan, Rt Hon Bruce |
| Garrett, John (Norwich S) | Mitchell, Austin (Grimsby) |
| Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend) | Morton, George |
| George, Bruce | Moyle, Rt Hon Roland |
| Golding, John | O'Halloran, Michael |
| Hamilton, W. W. (C'tral Fife) | O'Neill, Martin |
| Hardy, Peter | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley |
| Harrison, Rt Hon Walter | Owen, Rt Hon Dr David |
| Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith | Pavitt, Laurie |
| Haynes, Frank | Pendry, Tom |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) |
| Hogg, N. (E Dunb't'nshire) | Price, C. (Lewisham W) |
| Holland, S. (L'b'th, Vauxh'll) | Race, Reg |
| Homewood, William | Rees, Rt Hon M (Leeds S) |
| Horam, John | Roberts, Albert (Normanton) |
| Huckfield, Les | Roberts, Ernest (Hackney N) |
| Hudson Davies, Gwilym E. | Robertson, George |
| Hughes, Mark (Durham) | Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) |
| Janner, Hon Greville | Rooker, J. W. |
| John, Brynmor | Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) |
| Johnson, James (Hull West) | Sever, John |
| Jones, Barry (East Flint) | Sheldon, Rt Hon R. |
| Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald | Short, Mrs Renée |
| Kerr, Russell | Silkin, Rt Hon J. (Deptford) |
| Kilroy-Silk, Robert | Silverman, Julius |
| Leighton, Ronald | Skinner, Dennis |
| Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) | Soley, Clive |
| Litherland, Robert | Spearing, Nigel |
| Lofthouse, Geoffrey | Stallard, A. W. |
| Lyons, Edward (Bradf'd W) | Stewart, Rt Hon D. (W Isles) |
| McCartney, Hugh | Stoddart, David |
| McDonald, Dr Oonagh | Stott, Roger |
| McElhone, Frank | Summerskill, Hon Dr Shirley |
| McGuire, Michael (Ince) | Thorne, Stan (Preston South) |
| McKelvey, William | Tilley, John |
| MacKenzie, Rt Hon Gregor | Urwin, Rt Hon Tom |
| Maclennan, Robert | Varley, Rt Hon Eric G. |
| McNally, Thomas | Wainwright, E. (Dearne V) |
| McNamara, Kevin | Walker, Rt Hon H. (D'caster) |
| Watkins, David | Winnick, David |
| Welsh, Michael | Woodall, Alec |
| White, Frank R. | Woolmer, Kenneth |
| White, J. (G'gow Pollok) | Young, David (Bolton E) |
| Wigley, Dafydd | |
| Willey, Rt Hon Frederick | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Williams, Rt Hon A.fS'sea W) | Mr. James Hamilton and Mr. Allen McKay. |
| Wilson, Gordon (Dundee E) |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time and passed.
§ Mr. David Ennals (Norwich, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today—it seems like yesterday—I raised with you the question of the behaviour of the hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Sir R. Bell), because he pre-empted me by force when I attempted to table a new clause on the wearing of seat belts. You said, Mr. Speaker, that you would rule tomorrow—although it seems like today—on whether my report to you should be referred for consideration by the Committee of Privileges. I carefully read the statement made by the hon. and learned Gentleman. He said:
I should be sorry if the right hon. Gentleman felt a sense of grievance about anything that happened yesterday. I do not want any parliamentary colleague to feel a sense of personal grievance."—[Official Report, 1 April 1981; Vol. 2, c. 2,89.]Although I felt a sense of personal grievance at the time, I accept the hon. and learned Gentleman's apology and ask you, Mr. Speaker, not to proceed further.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir Ronald Bell (Beaconsfield)It remains only for me to thank the right hon. Gentleman for his remarks. I am sure that misunderstandings between hon. Members are best resolved amicably.
§ Mr. SpeakerAlthough it is officially 1 April, it is also Thursday. The House will want to know next week's business. I shall therefore call on the Leader of the House to make a Business Statement.