HC Deb 25 February 2004 vol 418 cc282-3
Q9. Mr. Anthony Steen (Totnes) (Con)

If he will visit Gaia House near Totnes.

The Prime Minister

I have no current plans to do so. Gaia House is a centre that offers insight and meditation, and zen retreats throughout the year, so this is an answer that, obviously, I shall keep under review.

Mr. Steen

If the Prime Minister did visit this Buddhist retreat, he would have plenty of time to reflect on how to protect council tax payers from Liberal Democrat councils that wish to increase council tax, as Torbay council does, by six times the rate of inflation. The council has refused to cut bureaucracy. It spends money on surveys to establish how many tombs there are in Torbay's cemeteries—for health and safety reasons—rather than on protecting and maintaining social services for the living. What task will the Prime Minister take on to protect the weakest and most vulnerable in Torbay from the Liberal council?

The Prime Minister

I obviously would be able to reflect on all that, but I think I would gain another insight as well. It is obviously true that we have hugely increased the amount of money we have given to Devon council—

Mr. Steen

And Torbay?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Torbay too. My briefing mentions South Hams. the hon. Gentleman's own local authority—

Mr. Steen

As well as Torbay?

The Prime Minister

Yes. The great thing is that we have increased the money for Devon, Torbay and South Hams. I think that probably the insight I would gain after this retreat would be "Vote Labour".

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