HC Deb 22 October 1990 vol 178 cc16-7
67. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals for a bicycle mileage allowance for Members.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Geoffrey Howe)

The Government have no such plans at the moment. However, both logic and common sense give some support to the idea. I shall therefore arrange for it to be examined.

Mr. Tony Banks

That is an excellent idea. In view of the cost of the Chancellor of the Duchy's car, perhaps the Lord President should suggest that he take up bicycling—although, knowing his right hon. Friend, it would probably be a tandem with a member of the working class struggling to pedal at the front.

I am grateful to the Lord President for his answer. He must be aware that civil servants receive the allowance, so it is surely appropriate that Members of Parliament should receive it as well. Bicycling is both health-giving and environmentally friendly. I can see the Lord President now, cycling around London like the clappers with his clips and tin helmet. It will, indeed, be a good thing for Members of Parliament to receive this allowance.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The hon. Gentleman is deploying his rhetoric against an open door. I have noted that civil servants enjoy the allowance and that to grant it to Members of Parliament would be an environmentally-friendly gesture. Only a handful of our colleagues currently take advantage of the two-wheeled vehicle, but no doubt more will follow their example if I ensure that the matter is examined.

Mr. Dickens

Is it possible that the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) has forgotten his days as chairman of the GLC, when he drove in a palatial car at the ratepayer's expense? Perhaps he now wants to pedal a cycle at the taxpayer's expense.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Perhaps it is as a consequence of being deprived of his former office that the hon. Gentleman has adopted a more modest means of transport.

Dr. Cunningham

While we are discussing allowances, may I ask whether the Leader of the House saw yesterday's "Insight" articles about the avoidance of taxation—on a huge scale—by very wealthy members of society? As he is responsible for the legislative programme, will he at least hint that this loophole will be closed in the Queen's Speech?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It would take a considerable stretch of the imagination to relate that question to the subject of mileage allowances for right hon. and hon. Members.