Greater London Council (Expenditure) (Hansard, 14 June 1984)

§ Mr. Neil Thorne (Ilford, South)
I wish to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the need for a statement on the Government's powers to ensure that there is no political discrimination in the allocation of expenditure by the GLC. On Tuesday evening during the debate on the Greater London Council (Money) (No. 2) Bill we were given an insight into GLC policy when it was made plain that the constituents of those hon. Members who voted in favour of an instruction limiting the GLC's free spending powers would suffer. It is essential that we now have a statement, followed by a debate, on the Government's power to ensure that there is no political discrimination in the allocation of expenditure by the GLC.
We all know that the GLC is in the scaremongering business and that as a result the people of London have come to expect outlandish claims and statements. That can be particularly worrying, especially for old people. Last night a constituent contacted me and asked whether this meant that the half-completed Ilford town centre scheme would be stopped and what effect it would have on his ability to sell his house nearby if it did. This morning in my constituency I was asked whether old people's bus passes would be limited to those living in Labour-held constituencies. I know of many similar cases in other constituencies.
When a local authority is given power by the Government to raise taxation locally through rating, what power do the Government have to ensure that money is spent regardless of whether or not the people in a particular area support the Government of the day? An entirely new situation now exists. Politicians, in a position of power and responsibility, have to rise above their party's political dogma to ensure that the people who have a right to benefit from general taxation are not penalised because of their representation in Parliament.
We have heard much in recent months about the GLC and its desire to work for London. That obviously now means that it wishes to work for Labour-held constituencies in London and not for London as a whole. That is reprehensible. One of the leaders of the GLC stated in this Chamber that he was prepared to conduct a campaign of what he called "selective vindictiveness." I doubt whether that claim has been used before by any responsible politician.
If the Government did not already have a very good reason for questioning the ability of the present administration at county hall to control the metropolis they certainly have a good reason now. The sooner that they get rid of that administration, the better.
I hope that you will agree now to an emergency debate on the matter, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the need for a statement on the Government's powers to ensure that there is no political discrimination in the allocation of expenditure by the GLC. I have listened with care to what the hon. Gentleman has said, but I regret that I do not consider the matter that 1075 he raised as being appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10 and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.

§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During the course of yesterday's debate, which continued till 2.30 am, I had the opportunity to read The Times, in which you were quoted at length on an important matter. You were quoted as saying that some Conservative Members had got into the House by mistake. It would not be a bad idea if we were provided with a list of those hon. Members.
My hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) was challenged recently by Conservative Members—perhaps some of those who came here by mistake—who threatened to refer my hon. Friend's remarks to an appropriate parliamentary committee. If it is right for Mr. Speaker to suggest that some Conservative Members got into the House by mistake, it must be right for my hon. Friend to challenge those Tories who may, by mistake, have voted the wrong way.

§ Mr. Speaker
I understand that some light-hearted remarks of mine during a Press Gallery luncheon yesterday were reported today and may have caused offence to some hon. Members. I am deeply sorry about that, and I apologise unreservedly if that is the case.
I assure the House that the burden of my speech was to underline the importance of this Chamber and my dedication to it and to its Members who elected me to the Chair exactly one year ago.