§
Amendment made: No. 12, in page 12, line 9, after '15', insert
'and paragraphs 9, 12 to 14, and 16 of Schedule 2'.—[The Solicitor-General for Scotland.]
§ 10,25 pm
§ Mr. AncramI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
The purpose of the Bill is simple and, therefore, I shall not go into it in detail. We have covered many aspects of it on Report. Much has been made of the constitutional argument about the rate limitation provisions, but it is completely unfounded to say that it marks a significant constitutional change. Local authorities are not free agents, nor are they at liberty to decide what action to take regardless of Government. They are, and always have been, creatures of statute. They derive their powers from Parliament, and their actions take place within the statutory and economic framework set by a democratically elected Parliament. Since local authorities are responsible for a quarter of public spending, no Government, nor any party, can afford to ignore local authority spending when determining national economic policies — and no Government have.
The Bill helps ratepayers. Two additional new clauses were added to the Bill in Committee, through the efforts of my hon. Friends the Members for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) and for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton). They increase public access to accounts, improve accountability, and will be good for ratepayers.
The Bill seeks to help ratepayers by protecting them from high expenditure and high rates, and by enabling individual valuation anomalies to be corrected. It aims at the two pillars on which excessive rate burdens can be based — over high rate poundages and anomalous 546 valuations. It is not, and never has been intended to be an attack on local government. There is nothing in the Bill which a responsible local authority need fear.
When I listened, as I had to, to the dramatic scare stories and doom-laden predictions about the end of local democracy from Opposition Members, I wondered whether those prophets of gloom understood the Bill. Sometimes I thought that they did. They are so bereft of policies to put before Scottish people and ratepayers,— although I have challenged them to do so—that they have had to take refuge in a display of synthetic anger against the Bill. It may be good politics in the absence of anything more constructive, but it is undeniable that by that display they have shown total indifference to the feelings of Scottish ratepayers. Scottish ratepayers will not easily forgive or forget.
The Government have fulfilled in the Bill the commitments made to the Scottish people at the general election. We have stood by ratepayers and have given them the protection that we believe should be theirs and, therefore, I recommend the Bill to the House.
§ Mr. CraigenThe Bill is the Government's cover up on rates. It masks the Government's about-turn over the long-standing promise of rates reform. In Committee Ministers were unwilling to make amendments, and they have proved equally inflexible on Report.
Under Part I the Secretary of State takes more powers than he needs, more powers than are good for him, and more powers than are good for Scottish ratepayers. He will fix the rate poundage and the rent level. In reality, it will be left to a few advisers effectively to act the gauleiters of Scottish local government and to do the job that ought properly to be done by paid local government officers and elected members.
Part II on valuation was, I believe, born out of expediency. By changing some aspects of valuation, without in any way changing the basic principles of valuation law in Scotland, the Government will be found wanting. There will be a demand for a United Kingdom review of valuation methods and practice once it begins to penetrate, as it is already doing that what football and other sports people and others see in the Bill will not materialise.
The Bill marks a further step, some would say a fatal step, towards the collision course with local government on which the Government have embarked. Even if right hon. and hon. Members are unable to defeat the Bill, I hope that they will register their disapproval of this abominable piece of legislation.
§ Question put, That the Bill be now read the Third time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 204, Noes 138
549| Division No. 215] | [10.31 pm |
| AYES | |
| Alexander, Richard | Best, Keith |
| Ancram, Michael | Biffen, Rt Hon John |
| Ashby, David | Blaker, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Bonsor, Sir Nicholas |
| Atkins, Robert (South Ribble) | Boscawen, Hon Robert |
| Atkinson, David (B'm'th E) | Bottomley, Peter |
| Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset) | Bowden, Gerald (Dulwich) |
| Baldry, Anthony | Boyson, Dr Rhodes |
| Batiste, Spencer | Braine, Sir Bernard |
| Bendall, Vivian | Brandon-Bravo, Martin |
| Berry, Sir Anthony | Bright, Graham |
| Brinton, Tim | Holland, Sir Philip (Gedling) |
| Brittan, Rt Hon Leon | Holt, Richard |
| Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thpes) | Hooson, Tom |
| Bruinvels, Peter | Hordern, Peter |
| Bryan, Sir Paul | Howarth, Gerald (Cannock) |
| Buck, Sir Antony | Howell, Rt Hon D. (G'ldford) |
| Burt, Alistair | Hubbard-Miles, Peter |
| Carlisle, John (N Luton) | Hunt, David (Wirral) |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Hunt, John (Ravensbourne) |
| Channon, Rt Hon Paul | Hunter, Andrew |
| Chapman, Sydney | Jessel, Toby |
| Chope, Christopher | Johnson-Smith, Sir Geoffrey |
| Churchill, W. S. | Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) |
| Clark, Hon A. (Plym'th S'n) | Jones, Robert (W Herts) |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford) | Joseph, Rt Hon Sir Keith |
| Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) | Kershaw, Sir Anthony |
| Clarke, Rt Hon K. (Rushcliffe) | King, Roger (B'ham N'field) |
| Conway, Derek | Knight, Gregory (Derby N) |
| Coombs, Simon | Knowles, Michael |
| Cope, John | Lamont, Norman |
| Corrie, John | Lang, Ian |
| Couchman, James | Lawler, Geoffrey |
| Cranborne, Viscount | Lee, John (Pendle) |
| Crouch, David | Leigh, Edward (Gainsbor'gh) |
| Dicks, Terry | Lilley, Peter |
| Dorrell, Stephen | McCurley, Mrs Anna |
| Dover, Den | MacKay, Andrew (Berkshire) |
| du Cann, Rt Hon Edward | MacKay, John (Argyll & Bute) |
| Dunn, Robert | Major, John |
| Durant, Tony | Mather, Carol |
| Edwards, Rt Hon N. (P'broke) | Monro, Sir Hector |
| Eggar, Tim | Moore, John |
| Emery, Sir Peter | Morris, M. (N'hampton, S) |
| Evennett, David | Moynihan, Hon C. |
| Fallon, Michael | Murphy, Christopher |
| Favell, Anthony | Neubert, Michael |
| Finsberg, Sir Geoffrey | Newton, Tony |
| Fletcher, Alexander | Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S. |
| Fookes, Miss Janet | Parris, Matthew |
| Forman, Nigel | Percival, Rt Hon Sir Ian |
| Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) | Pink, R. Bonner |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Norman | Pollock, Alexander |
| Fox, Marcus | Raison, Rt Hon Timothy |
| Franks, Cecil | Roberts, Wyn (Conwy) |
| Fraser, Peter (Angus East) | Robinson, Mark (N'port W) |
| Freeman, Roger | Roe, Mrs Marion |
| Gale, Roger | Rossi, Sir Hugh |
| Galley, Roy | Rumbold, Mrs Angela |
| Gardiner, George (Reigate) | Ryder, Richard |
| Glyn, Dr Alan | Sainsoury, Hon Timothy |
| Goodhart, Sir Philip | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Goodlad, Alastair | Shaw, Giles (Pudsey) |
| Gow, Ian | Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb') |
| Gower, Sir Raymond | Shelton, William (Streatham) |
| Grant, Sir Anthony | Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) |
| Gregory, Conal | Shersby, Michael |
| Griffiths, E. (B'y St Edm'ds) | Sims, Roger |
| Griffiths, Peter (Portsm'th N) | Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick) |
| Grist, Ian | Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) |
| Ground, Patrick | Soames, Hon Nicholas |
| Grylls, Michael | Speller, Tony |
| Hamilton, Hon A. (Epsom) | Spencer, Derek |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Squire, Robin |
| Hanley, Jeremy | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Hannam, John | Stanley, John |
| Harvey, Robert | Steen, Anthony |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Stern, Michael |
| Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael | Stewart, Allan (Eastwood) |
| Hawkins, Sir Paul (SW N'folk) | Stewart, Ian (N Hertf'dshire) |
| Hawksley, Warren | Stokes, John |
| Hayes, J. | Stradling Thomas, J. |
| Hayward, Robert | Sumberg, David |
| Heathcoat-Amory, David | Taylor, Teddy (S'end E) |
| Heddle, John | Tebbit, Rt Hon Norman |
| Henderson, Barry | Terlezki, Stefan |
| Hickmet, Richard | Thomas, Rt Hon Peter |
| Hicks, Robert | Thompson, Donald (Calder V) |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L. | Thompson, Patrick (N'ich N) |
| Hind, Kenneth | Thurnham, Peter |
| Hirst, Michael | Tracey, Richard |
| Trotter, Neville | Watson, John |
| Twinn, Dr Ian | Watts, John |
| van Straubenzee, Sir W. | Wells, Bowen (Hertford) |
| Vaughan, Sir Gerard | Wells, John (Maidstone) |
| Viggers, Peter | Wheeler, John |
| Waddington, David | Winterton, Mrs Ann |
| Wakeham, Rt Hon John | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Walden, George | Wolfson, Mark |
| Walker, Bill (T'side N) | Wood, Timothy |
| Waller, Gary | |
| Ward, John | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Wardle, C. (Bexhill) | Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones and Mr. Douglas Hogg. |
| Warren, Kenneth |
| NOES | |
| Adams, Allen (Paisley N) | Hughes, Roy (Newport East) |
| Anderson, Donald | Hughes, Sean (Knowsley S) |
| Archer, Rt Hon Peter | Janner, Hon Greville |
| Ashley, Rt Hon Jack | John, Brynmor |
| Ashton, Joe | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Atkinson, N. (Tottenham) | Kennedy, Charles |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Kilroy-Silk, Robert |
| Barnett, Guy | Kinnock, Rt Hon Neil |
| Barron, Kevin | Kirkwood, Archibald |
| Beith, A. J. | Lambie, David |
| Bell, Stuart | Lamond, James |
| Benn, Tony | Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Lewis, Terence (Worsley) |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Litherland, Robert |
| Brown, Gordon (D'f'mline E) | Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) |
| Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) | McCartney, Hugh |
| Brown, N. (N'c'tle-u-Tyne E) | McCrea, Rev William |
| Brown, R. (N'c'tle-u-Tyne N) | McDonald, Dr Oonagh |
| Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith) | McKay, Allen (Penistone) |
| Bruce, Malcolm | McKelvey, William |
| Buchan, Norman | Mackenzie, Rt Hon Gregor |
| Callaghan, Jim (Heyw'd & M) | McNamara, Kevin |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | McTaggart, Robert |
| Canavan, Dennis | McWilliam, John |
| Carlile, Alexander (Montg'y) | Madden, Max |
| Carter-Jones, Lewis | Marek, Dr John |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Marshall, David (Shettleston) |
| Clarke, Thomas | Martin, Michael |
| Clay, Robert | Maxton, John |
| Cocks, Rt Hon M. (Bristol S.) | Meacher, Michael |
| Coleman, Donald | Meadowcroft, Michael |
| Concannon, Rt Hon J. D. | Michie, William |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton North) | Millan, Rt Hon Bruce |
| Corbett, Robin | Miller, Dr M. S. (E Kilbride) |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Mitchell, Austin (G't Grimsby) |
| Craigen, J. M. | Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon) |
| Crowther, Stan | Nellist, David |
| Deakins, Eric | O'Brien, William |
| Dewar, Donald | O'Neill, Martin |
| Dobson, Frank | Pavitt, Laurie |
| Dubs, Alfred | Penhaligon, David |
| Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G. | Pike, Peter |
| Eadie, Alex | Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) |
| Eastham, Ken | Prescott, John |
| Evans, John (St. Helens N) | Rees, Rt Hon M. (Leeds S) |
| Fatchett, Derek | Richardson, Ms Jo |
| Faulds, Andrew | Robertson, George |
| Flannery, Martin | Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) |
| Foot, Rt Hon Michael | Robinson, P. (Belfast E) |
| Foster, Derek | Ross, Ernest (Dundee W) |
| Foulkes, George | Rowlands, Ted |
| Fraser, J. (Norwood) | Sedgemore, Brian |
| Freeson, Rt Hon Reginald | Sheldon, Rt Hon R. |
| George, Bruce | Shore, Rt Hon Peter |
| Godman, Dr Norman | Short, Ms Clare (Ladywood) |
| Gould, Bryan | Silkin, Rt Hon J. |
| Hamilton, James (M'well N) | Skinner, Dennis |
| Harman, Ms Harriet | Smith, C.(Isl'ton S & Fbury) |
| Harrison, Rt Hon Walter | Smith, Rt Hon J. (M'kl'ds E) |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Snape, Peter |
| Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth) | Soley, Clive |
| Holland, Stuart (Vauxhall) | Spearing, Nigel |
| Howells, Geraint | Steel, Rt Hon David |
| Hoyle, Douglas | Stewart, Rt Hon D. (W Isles) |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Strang, Gavin |
| Thomas, Dafydd (Merioneth) | Winnick, David |
| Tinn, James | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Torney, Tom | |
| Wallace, James | Tellers for the Noes: |
| White, James | Mr. Frank Haynes and Mr. John Home Robertson. |
| Williams, Rt Hon A. |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time, and passed.