Sitting of 14 May 1993

Preamble
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock
PRAYERS
[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]
PRAYERS

  Suspect Package (Abingdon Street)
  9.34 am
  Mr. Simon Coombs: On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Has it been brought to your attention that a little while ago a suspect package was found in the area of Abingdon street, not far from the Palace of Westminster? I understand that traffic congestion in the area is severe. It is possible that there are hon. Members who have been unable to reach the Chamber until now and who I know will be anxious to take part in this morning's debate. Have you received any representations on the matter from any hon. Members? Would you consider perhaps adjourning the sitting for a while so that we can ensure that all interested hon. Members are here for the beginning of the debate?
  Madam Speaker: I have been told about the suspect package and the chaos and disturbance that it caused. I have also been told on the best possible authority that the roads have been clear since 9.15 today and, therefore, I think that that gives ample time for hon. Members to be here by 9.30.

PETITION

  Live Animals (Sales)
  9.35 am
  Mr. Peter Hain: I wish to present a petition, signed by 20,000 people, on behalf of my constituent, Mr.Alan Clark, of the group Puppywatch, which strongly objects
  to the sale of puppies and other live animals through dealers, agents and third parties such as pet shops and other retail outlets.
  Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House notes these objections and brings forward measures to prevent such sales.
  To lie upon the Table.

BILL PRESENTED
  CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (ABOLITION OF NOT PROVEN VERDICT) (SCOTLAND)
  Mr. George Robertson presented a Bill to abolish, in Scotland, the not proven verdict in criminal proceedings; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 2 July, and to be printed. [Bill 197.]
Orders of the Day
  Noise and Statutory Nuisance Bill
  As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered
  Noise and Statutory Nuisance Bill
    Schedule 2

      CONSENT TO THE OPERATION OF LOUDSPEAKERS IN STREETS OR ROADS
      Amendment proposed: No. 1, in page 15, line 33, after 'loudspeaker', insert
      'in connection with any election or'.—[Mr. Hunter.]
      9.37 am
      Mr. Paul Tyler:I wish to speak briefly to the amendment as an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of the legislation. I fear that the Bill is another example of the way in which the House should follow the maxim
      "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
      Indeed, that maxim should be above the doorway here in appropriate Latin.
      Undoubtedly, this is a well-intentioned Bill. Clause 8 is well intentioned, schedule 2 is well intentioned, and the amendment is well intentioned. However, I shall speak against the amendment because it would impose on the enforcement authorities an added burden that they simply cannot be asked to carry at this stage.
      I am astounded by the cavalier way in which the House is being invited to deal with this important legislation. I do not believe that it is sufficient for the House to rely on the discussion in another place to correct the mistakes that may be made here. Hon. Members will be aware that there was a brief Committee stage—I do not hold that against the Committee. Obviously, that shows that there is great support for the Bill's intentions, but no one can pretend that every aspect of the legislation was adequately discussed upstairs. Similarly, the House has the opportunity to listen to democratic representations from our constituents and those who are affected by the legislation that we seek to enact. The other place has a different role.
      I do not believe that the amendment, the schedule, the clause and the Bill deserve such inadequate attention, on three grounds: first, definition; secondly, enforcement; and, thirdly, consequent cost to the councils and the police who will have the responsibility for enforcing the legislation. In case some hon. Members are here on a false pretence—perhaps they are interested in other Bills—I should point out that the amendment will have this effect. Clause 8 says that a local authority may resolve that schedule 2 will apply—
      Mr. A. J. Beith: What does my hon. Friend mean by "false pretence"? I hope that he will bear in mind that many hon. Members are here as supporters of an important Bill, which is supported by a great many Liberal Democrat supporters in the west country.
      Mr. Tyler: I understand the point made by my right hon. Friend, but I will not be lured into a discussion on the merits of another Bill because I am sure that Mr. Deputy Speaker would rule me out of order. Perhaps I could also

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      remind my right hon. Friend that interventions take time. My speech is reasonably elastic. I have time to answer any interventions that may be made, but I hope to stick to the point. I shall do so much more succinctly if I have no interference or interventions from my hon. Friends, or, indeed, from other hon. Members.
      Clause 8 provides:
      "A local authority may resolve that Schedule 2 is to apply to its area."
      Schedule 2(1)(2) says:
      "A consent shall not be given to the operation of a loudspeaker for the purpose of advertising any entertainment, trade or business."
      The amendment seeks to insert
      "in connection with any election".
      I am sure that you have read the report of the Committee proceedings, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There was no real discussion of this point. There was no demand from members of the Committee that the Bill should be extended in that way. There was no preliminary discussion of the amendment.
      Let me turn to the question of definition. What does
      "in connection with any election"
      mean? Let us take an example. Suppose the noble Lord Tebbit toured Newbury in recent weeks in a loudspeaker van prophesying hell-fire and damnation if the Maastricht treaty was ratified, and inviting residents to meet him in the salubrious surroundings of Newbury racecourse. If he did not promote the candidature of an individual, would he be exempt? Who is to say?
      Let us take another example. If the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) deafened the streets of his constituency calling on his local authority to take action under his legislation, that would be political. But would it be in connection with any election? If it fell outside an election period, clearly it would not. What is his justification for that discrimination? Why should an election be inherently more objectionable and why should the noise that it perpetrates be controlled with more vigour than another political campaign at a different time of the year?
      Mr. Alun Michael: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
      Mr. Tyler: I give way.
      The hon. Gentleman seems to have had second thoughts.
      Suppose the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) drove around Westminster or Pimlico extolling the virtues of his "Access to Accommodation Bill" either during or outside an election period. That would surely be exempt under the schedule as amended by amendment No. 1. Who is to say? Who will act as thought police following the loudspeakers and recording every word? Will they say, "He has mentioned a candidate, so he is speaking in connection with an election", or, "No, he is talking about the council tax", or, "He is talking about the water rates."? How can anyone distinguish between the two without monitoring everything that is said over the loudspeaker system?

      On the subject of enforcement, if the House intends to place extra responsibilities on the shoulders of environmental health officers or the police, I plead with it to listen to what their representatives say about placing those added burdens on them. Already both are rightly resentful
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      that they are being asked to achieve the impossible with regard to noise nuisance. The Government have not given them adequate resources. Local authorities are starved of funds for existing statutory obligations on noise. The Government and Parliament keep inventing and adding more obligations, but they provide no more resources.
      The public are being encouraged to have unrealistic expectations. I represent a rural area. People who go to live in rural areas all too often expect a level of quietness and peace which is unrealistic. I give one example. In the Western Morning News we have had a succession of interesting reports about the case of Corky the cockerel. The judge decided that its crowing was an assault on the ears which seriously interfered with the sleep and comfort of its neighbours. As a result, there was a £25,000 court bill for Corky the cockerel.
      Mr. Simon Burns: I fully appreciate that the hon. Gentleman may be interested in the activities of Corky the cockerel, but does he accept that it seems to some of us that he is speaking at great length for no reason other than that he possibly wants to delay our reaching the next business? Given the allegation that he has contacts with the Shopping Hours Reform Council, I suspect that he is abusing the House in seeking to delay—
      Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Geoffrey Lofthouse): Order. The Chair will decide whether there is any abuse of the House.
      9.45 am
      Mr. Tyler: I am grateful to you, Mr. Deputy speaker. I certainly do not intend to be lured into discussion of another issue.
      If amendment No. 1 is passed, both the police and environmental health officers will be asked to encourage among the public an even greater expectation that every noise can be controlled. As in the case of the loudspeaker vans which are the subject of the amendment, subjective judgment will make all the difference.
      What are we asking EHOs to do? Other hon. Members may have a different experience of their local authorities —perhaps the hon. Member for Basingstoke has—but my local authorities are already overworked. They have far too much responsibility in many areas and we should not add something that lacks definition and clarity and therefore relies on subjective judgment.
      The law is already seen to be something of an ass on the subject of noise nuisance. In view of the anxiety of the hon. Member for Basingstoke to make progress, I shall not read the whole report, but a young mother has been warned by her local council to keep her teething baby quiet or face court and a fine of up to £5,000.
      Mr. John Marshall: Will the hon. Member give way?
      Mr. Tyler: A recent report said:
      "Cannock Chase council 'noise pollution officers' issued the ultimatum to Jackie Whitehouse, 24, after neighbours complained that eight-month old Zoe was depriving them of sleep by crying through the night."
      Did the hon. Gentleman want to intervene?
      Mr. John Marshall: I merely wanted to find out which damn fool local authority had done that. I thank the hon. Gentleman for telling us.
      Mr. Tyler: Enforcement costs a great deal of money. No precise figures have been given for the cost of introducing the Bill, with or without the amendment. But this confusing amendment will clearly add to that cost. The best estimate that has been made is that the cost to public funds
      "will probably exceed £0·5 million."
      It probably will.
      Mr. Barry Field: The hon. Gentleman mentioned a court bill of £25,000 in the case of Corky the cockerel. It may be unusual for a Conservative Member to pray in aid the BBC, but Radio 4 went into the case of cockerels keeping people awake. It found that the solution was simply to raise the perch higher so that the cockerel could not get its head up to crow loudly. That would be a considerable saving on the £25,000 which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.
      Mr. Tyler: I had better not follow the hon. Gentleman's point too far because, unless the cockerel is in a loudspeaker van, it is not germane to the debate. I do not propose to crow on that subject any longer.
      Organisations representing environmental health officers and the police are sceptical about the Bill. They feel that it imposes on them extra responsibilities without the clarity that they need to ensure that the cost is kept to a minimum. There is no evidence of which I am aware —I am sure that the Minister will respond to this point; I see that he is taking advice —that local authorities have asked for the amendment, the schedule or the clause.
      The rapid introduction of the measures in the Bill will put a special strain on local authorities throughout Britain which have difficult budgetary decisions to take. I tabled an amendment to postpone the implementation of the Bill. It was not selected. However, I hope that the point will be recognised as a serious one about the way in which the legislation is drafted.
      Local authorities may share my fears and may simply refuse to take up schedule 2, which will remain a dead letter on the statute book, with or without the amendment. If that were to happen, surely it is irresponsible for the House to pass something that is innocuous because we believe that it will be useless. Why are we being asked to pass the amendment on the nod? To adopt such an attitude to the Bill does no credit to the hon. Member for Basingstoke or to the House.
      Today we are all Back Benchers; this is a Back—Bench day. This Back Bencher has grave misgivings about slipshod legislation, such as the Bill. It would be irresponsible of us to rely on the other place to correct our mistakes. The resulting cost and confusion of passing the Bill, as amended, whatever its good intentions, will be to the discredit of the House. It will also lead to confusion on the part of those who are asked to enforce our legislation.
      A persistent rumour has circulated that the accelerated and abbreviated procedure adopted this morning is an attempt by those on the respective Front Benches to manipulate the House. I am a Back Bencher and I am not party to what the Whips may do, but I do not believe that it is right for Back Benchers to allow themselves to be bullied on a Friday by the Whips. I invite the hon. Member for Basingstoke to justify his amendment or to answer my questions and decide to withdraw it.
      Mr. Andrew Hunter: I deeply regret that contribution from the hon. Member for North Cornwall
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      (Mr. Tyler), which was largely irrelevant. I suspect that the hon. Gentleman has not studied the Bill, because the amendment would maintain the status quo.
      The hon. Gentleman may be unaware that loudspeakers can be used during election campaigns between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm. That practice is continued under the Bill. It is extraordinary that the hon. Gentleman should wax so lyrical about an amendment which he has obviously not understood.
      I do not understand why the hon. Gentleman said that the Bill has not been considered sufficiently. The Committee, which lasted the best part of a morning, considered 38 amendments in great detail.
      I shall explain briefly the effect of the amendment. It will ensure that loudspeakers can be used during elections between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm, as is currently the practice.
      Mr. Michael Brown: I served on the Committee and I endorse what my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) has said.
      Mr. Tyler: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
      Mr. Brown: I shall develop my argument first.
      If the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) has studied the Official Report of the proceedings of Standing Committee C, he will be aware that I had lengthy discussions with my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke and my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside about noise nuisance. My hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke assured the Committee that by the time the Bill returned to the Floor of the House, the concerns that had been raised in Committee would have been addressed.
      Nearly every member of the Committee said that, from experience, he or she would be happy if the use of loudspeakers were outlawed during general elections. We all felt that we were more likely to lose votes if we used such loudspeakers.
      Mr. Tyler: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
      Mr. Brown: I shall do so in a moment.
      I am more than satisfied that my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke, along with my hon. Friend the Minister, has addressed the concerns raised in the Committee.
      Mr. Tyler: The hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for Basingstoke have failed to address my point. I understand that the incumbent in a constituency might be only too pleased if one were not allowed to use loudspeakers during an election campaign, but the incumbent's interest is not always the same as that of the wider democracy. Neither of the hon. Members has taken up my key point about the distinction between
      "in connection with any election"
      and other political campaigning. I want to know how and why one should distinguish between the two.
      Mr. Brown: We covered that point in Committee. We accepted that the use of loudspeakers in general elections was a special case, but hon. Members wanted to restrict their use on other occasions. I accept the restrictions that are imposed on the Bill and the specific circumstances for which we are legislating this morning.
      Amendment agreed to.
      Schedule 2, as amended, agreed to
      Bill read the Third time, and passed.
      Mr. Barry Field: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. May I invite you to leave the Chair for a moment and come down to my end of the Chamber, where you will observe that there is a footstool below the Mace? I wonder whether Madam Speaker has it in mind, later today, to confer some great honour of the House upon some hon. Member, as yet unknown. Perhaps the footstool has been placed there in readiness for that occasion. Can you enlighten the House?
      Mr. Deputy Speaker: I cannot enlighten the hon. Gentleman.

      Shops (Amendment) Bill
      As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
      Shops (Amendment) Bill
        New Clause 14

          POWER OF SECRETARY OF STATE TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ACT
          ' —(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, the Secretary of State may, by order made by statutory instrument, amend —

          (a) the categories of shop exempt from the provisions of this Act under section 2 above;

          (b) Schedule 2 to this Act (which relates to the categories of shop entitled to Class A registration);

          (c) the classes of shop entitled to be registered under subsection (5) of section 3 above; and

          (d) subsection (5) of section 3 above by substituting for the words "two hours", such longer period, not exceeding six hours as the Secretary of State may specify.

          (2) An order under subsection (1) may also include such incidental, consequential, supplementary and transitional provisions as the Secretary of State may consider appropriate.
          (3)No order shall be made under subsection (1) which (either alone or together with any other similar orders) would have the effect of exempting all shops, or substantially all shops, from the provisions of this Act.
          (4) No order shall be made under subsection (1) unless a draft thereof has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.'.—[Mr. Ray Powell.]
          Brought up, and read the First time.
          9.56 am
          Mr. RayPowell: I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Geoffrey Lofthouse): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: amendment (a) to the new clause, in line 15, leave out subsection (3).
          New clause 10 —Extension of Classes of Registration —
          '.—(1) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument modify section 3 above by adding further classes under which shops may be registered or amending or removing any classes for the time being specified in that section.
          (2) An order under this section makes such transitional, consequential or incidental provision (including provision modifying this Act or any other enactment) as the Secretary of State considers expedient in connection with the order.
          (3) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'.
          Mr. Powell: I recall that I was once promised an orange box, so perhaps the footstool to which the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) referred was brought in for me in the hope that, when I stood on it, at least I would be recognised by you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and called to move my new clause. I am pleased that, at last, after 12 months, you have been able to catch my eye, Mr. Deputy Speaker and call me to speak. I am extremely grateful.
          A point of order was raised earlier this morning about the cordoning off of Lambeth bridge and part of the Thames embankment. I was rather alarmed when my taxi was diverted from the House of Commons. I thought that perhaps it was a deliberate attempt on the part of the Home Secretary to keep hon. Members from attending this important debate in which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has declared a great interest.
          Mr. John Marshall: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Powell: Is it to do with Lambeth bridge?
          Mr. Marshall: No; it is germane to the Bill.
          Mr. Powell: But I have not started to discuss it yet. With all due respect, I was just about to start discussing my new clause, but first I want to wish you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a very good morning. Before I put my strong case for the new clause, I shall give way to the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall).
          Mr. Marshall: The answer to my question will be of great help to the House, the Minister and the country. Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Bill, as amended in Committee, is now the preferred option of the Keep Sunday Special campaign to the Bill that the Minister has promised to produce next month?
          Mr. Powell: When hon. Members thoroughly examine the Bill, as amended in Committee, I hope that they will understand that if it receives its Third Reading before 2.30 pm and is then sent to the Lords, in all probability it will come back, as amended in the Lords, and be further considered. Numerous amendments and new clauses have been tabled. I am surprised that they were not tabled in Committee by the same Members who have tabled them today. I know that the hon. Member for Hendon, South is rather aggrieved that he did not serve on the Standing Committee that considered the Bill, but that was not entirely my fault, although I appointed all the hon. Members who served on the Committee.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I think that we have had sufficient preliminaries. Will the hon. Gentleman now come to the new clause, please?
          10 am
          Mr. Powell: It was not my intention to table any new clauses or further amendments for the Report stage of the Bill, which was not first, but second, in today's list. An attempt could have been made by a number of hon. Members, even Opposition Members, to filibuster on the previous Bill until about 2.30 pm to prevent further consideration of my Bill on Report. It was not the intention of any of my Bill's supporters to table any new clauses or amendments.
          As someone who is innocent and trusting, even naive, I thought that very few amendments or new clauses would be tabled due to the efforts of my colleagues and me to ensure that the Committee represented the views of the Government and the Shopping Hours Reform Council. The majority of Government Members appointed to serve on the Committee had ample opportunity to submit new clauses and amendments to which the Committee could have given detailed consideration.
          Mr. Michael Fabricant (Mid-Staffordshire)rose—
          Mr. Powell: I shall not give way now.
          I was appalled, disappointed, disillusioned and frustrated to find that those who had asked to be members of the Committee and who had opposing views found it necessary on Report to table 13 new clauses and 99 amendments.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Will the hon. Gentleman come to the subject of the new clause?
          Hon. Members: The hon. Gentleman is filibustering.
          Mr. Powell: I am not filibustering. Hon. Members will be surprised at the shortness of my speech. I want to allow everyone else the opportunity to speak.
          The new clause covers the wide aspects of the alternatives open to the House. I hope that later today the House will be given the opportunity to vote on the issues. The House must decide whether it agrees with the Government view of total deregulation or the Shopping Hours Reform Council's view of partial deregulation. It is important to discuss the other items on the agenda, so I hope that you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, will be tolerant and will allow me to develop my argument, which needs to be placed on record, if nothing else.
          What hope did I, as a Back Bencher, have of presenting a Bill of such complexity and steering it to its Report stage? It was an achievement to pilot it through Committee, and I was able to bring it to its Report stage only with the help of devoted people from the Keep Sunday Special Campaign, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and other specialists. They have helped us to accomplish what we have achieved.
          Mr. Fabricant: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Powell: I shall give way in a minute as the hon. Gentleman made excellent contributions in Committee, and I give him credit for his regular attendance. He was particularly helpful in resolving a legal complexity in Committee, for which I am grateful. I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman, but first I want to place on record some necessary remarks.
          The new clause embraces the main issues being debated throughout the country by organisations, many of which have millions of pounds' worth of vested interests. Others, like myself, have a main interest in trying to keep Sunday special for as long as is humanly possible.
          Mr. Fabricant rose—
          Mr. Powell: I shall give way as I can see that the hon. Gentleman is becoming very frustrated.
          Mr. Fabricant: The hon. Gentleman said that the Government have a particular view on Sunday trading, but would he not concede that the Government have no view? Individual Government Members may have a view, but the Government have no view and will be offering free choice. The hon. Gentleman also said that we had the opportunity to discuss the subject fully in Committee, but would he not concede that, of 21 members of the Committee, barely two or three are actually deregulationists?
          Mr. Powell: I am surprised: the hon. Gentleman is more naive than I if he thinks that the Government do not have a view on the matter. The Home Secretary and a number of other Ministers have shown that they are in favour of total deregulation. Therefore, it is important to give the new clause serious consideration.
          I stayed awake by my telephone most of the night thinking that, after so many U-turns in the House since last Thursday, there might be another one and I would receive a telephone call from the Home Secretary to say that he had changed his mind and was prepared to give my Bill a free wind and perhaps even help it be placed on the statute book. When the House considers the new clause, I hope that we shall vote and decide that it is high time that

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          the Shops Act 1950 was altered. I hope that my Bill will be enacted, so that instead of the present state of limbo we can protect those people who need it —small shopkeepers who are being exploited as a result of the big five being allowed to violate the law, open on Sunday and profit from it.
          I read an article in yesterday's Daily Mail on Sainbury's profits. David Sainsbury said that part of the profits had accrued as a result of trading on Sunday—[HON. MEMBERS: "Illegally. "] Yes, illegally. Not many of the big stores are legally entitled to trade on Sunday. David Sainsbury admitted frankly that Sainsbury was trading illegally and gained extra profits as a result.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I appeal to the hon. Gentleman to address his remarks to the new clause. I have been very tolerant with him, but he has strayed rather far from it.
          Mr. Powell: Perhaps if I were to read out the new clause that would be the best solution to the dilemma facing you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It reads:
          '.—(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, the Secretary of State may, by order made by statutory instrument, amend —

          (a) the categories of shop exempt from the provisions of this Act under section 2 above;

          (b) Schedule 2 to this Act (which relates to the categories of shop entitled to Class A registration);

          (c) the classes of shop entitled to be registered under subsection (5) of section 3 above; and

          (d) subsection (5) of section 3 above by substituting for the words "two hours", such longer period, not exceeding six hours as the Secretary of State may specify.

          (2) An order under subsection (1) may also include such incidental, consequential, supplementary and transitional provisions as the Secretary of State may specify.
          (3) No order shall be made under subsection (1) which (either alone or together with any other similar orders) would have the effect of exempting all shops, or substantially all shops, from the provisions of this Act.
          (4) No order shall be made under subsection (1) unless a draft thereof has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.'.
          If you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, analyse what I have been saying, you will find that it was all relevant to the new clause that I have read out to the House, even though it is a highly technical clause.
          I am sure that all right hon. and hon. Members gathered here this morning will have been able to follow and understand the provisions of the new clause far more quickly than I could when I first read it. I am sure that they are all cleverer than I am; they know exactly what it means, how it affects the Bill and how it will bear on the votes to be taken later today
          Mr. Barry Field: In a constituency such as mine—if I may be so impertinent, I remind the hon. Gentleman that it is the Isle of Wight—we regularly play host to yacht races that come across the channel and across other long distances. Those yachts are regularly delayed by heavy weather, such as gales, and local chandleries stay open so that the crews can make their purchases and repair their breakages. If I understand the new clause correctly, it would require the Secretary of State to have the powers of the Almighty to be able to
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          predict when such heavy weather might take place in the channel, so that he could then prescribe the opening hours for the chandleries in the Isle of Wight in advance.
          At present we are covered by the exemptions in the law, and I ask the hon. Gentleman to put his mind to this point, because it worries my constituents.
          10.15 am
          Mr. Powell: The hon. Gentleman's point is not relevant to the new clause, but regulations under the Bill would allow for the problem of special exemptions. The last thing that I or the sponsors of the Bill want is to subject the hon. Gentleman's constituents to restrictions. He represents a lovely area where people enjoy their regattas. The Isle of Wight does have occasional bad weather—but not as much as we get in Wales. We have no desire to curtail the enjoyment of people in the Isle of Wight or of those who visit the area. The Bill provides for resort areas and for towns that are frequented by visitors. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we have looked after his constituents' interests in preparing the Bill.
          I believe that all hon. Members who may be called to speak in today's debates should declare their financial interest if they have one. Quite a number of them have a direct interest in the businesses that we specify in the Bill. As for me, I proudly declare my interest: it is my true belief that we desperately need to keep Sunday a special day in this country. The new clause attempts to do just that. Crime is on the increase. We desperately need to keep one day of the week different from the other six working days.
          I should like to read out a letter from a Mrs. Hilda Stevens:
          "I have just found your address in my parish magazine. I am 87 years old and nearly housebound, but Sunday has been a special day all my life and I hope it is not too late for me to send you a little help."
          The letter is signed by Mrs. Stevens, who enclosed a £10 cheque to help the Keep Sunday Special campaign.
          I was impressed by that lady's generosity—no doubt £10 represents a great deal for someone of 87. She has obviously kept Sunday a special day all her life, and throughout the country most families keep Sunday a special day when they can get together, the grandchildren can visit the grandparents, and people can have a day of rest.
          Mr. Hugh Dykes: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, psychologically, millions of people need a day to recharge their batteries as well as for religious purposes? Is he aware, though, that many of my constituents are concerned, because their day of rest, of religious reflection and of pause in the hurly burly of the working week is Saturday because of their Jewish faith? Is he confident that the Bill, as amended in Committee, would take care of those anxieties and would allow Jewish shops to be open on a Sunday?
          Mr. Powell: I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Committee gave careful consideration to the Jewish problem. I am entirely satisfied that it is comprehensively covered in one of the amendments tabled for consideration today. It is fully in accord with what the Jewish people wanted. In Committee, I spoke at great length on that subject when moving a new clause, but we found that it had to be amended, so we withdrew it. I know that the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) has tabled a new clause on the subject. I consulted one of the

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          appropriate officers of the Jewish people only this week to ensure that the interests of the Jewish people are fully covered and that they are not left out, and they submitted amendments for Report.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: Sales of wet fish on a Sunday—which are permitted under the 1950 Act—are a matter of vital interest to Grimsby. My hon. Friend gave undertakings in Committee that such sales would be allowed under the Bill. How will that commitment be fulfilled? Is it fulfilled by the new clause?
          Mr. Powell: If we have a vote on the three major issues, I am sure that the clause can be inserted and amendments can be inserted into the Bill as it stands.
          I have spoken of my interest in keeping Sunday special. One of my other interests is—
          Mr. Fabricant: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) has said that new amendments can be added to the Bill today. I concede that I have been a Member of Parliament for only 13 months and that I am inexperienced, but is that correct? Can new amendments be added over and above those already on the amendment paper?
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: No. Before I call the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) to resume his speech, let me yet again draw his attention to the fact that he has been speaking at some length, but much of what he has said goes outside the new clause. I know that he has tried, and he has read out the new clause, but he is still straying rather wide.
          Mr. Powell: I am guided by you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as we all are, but I thought that the new clause was comprehensive. It covers all aspects of the Bill. I am sorry if I have strayed.
          An important point of the Bill that would also be affected by the new clause is that giving employment protection to employees in Scotland. Shops have been opening on Sundays in Scotland for many years, but there has been no such protection for employees. Of all the available options, that is the only one which would offer employees protection.
          Mr. Fabricant: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Powell: Wait a minute. If the hon. Gentleman is not popping up to make interventions, he is popping up to make points of order. He should let the hon. Member who is promoting the Bill have a chance. Let me pay tribute to the deputy general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and others who have assisted in attempts to ensure that the Bill provides employment protection.
          The Committee considered three major contentious issues—DIY stores, garden centres, and the size of convenience stores. The new clause incorporates the views expressed on those issues. It includes a new class of registration, a wider range of tourist shops, registration provisions and definition of shops that was revised to limit the number of services regulated by the Bill.
          The Committee considered all the issues and hon. Members were rightly disturbed to find on the amendment paper so many new clauses and amendments. We feel that it is an attempt to stop the Bill having a Third Reading so that it can go on to the House of Lords for further amendment. How does any hon. Member think that a Bill
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          of this magnitude could start its Report stage at 10 o'clock on a Friday and finish at 2.30 with the House having debated 13 new clauses and 135 amendments? It would be impossible. Those who have tabled the new clauses and amendments know that.
          The new clause allows the House to decide whether it wants complete deregulation, shopping hours reform proposals or the Bill as greatly amended in Committee and presented here this morning. I hope that all hon. Members will consider the issues involved and give the Bill a fair wind so that it can go on to the other place. When it comes back, I hope that it will be further considered in time given by the Government so that the question of Sunday trading can be resolved properly by the House.
          Mr. Win Griffiths: Unfortunately, I was not a member of the Committee. Is my hon. Friend saying that the Committee gave long and detailed consideration to the issues in the Bill, but that, even so, all the new clauses and amendments have been tabled as a deliberate attempt to block progress on an important social issue?
          Mr. Powell: I agree with my hon. Friend, who represents the neighbouring constituency to mine—indeed, the constituency that I represented in 1983. I am glad that he has made that point, which emphasises and repeats mine, because it is necessary not only for hon. Members but those outside who might be listening to realise and appreciate how easy it is to filibuster and spoil private Members' Bills.
          I am sure that in our deliberations today we shall consider the consequences of what happened last Thursday. We shall consider the message delivered by the Prime Minister about curbing arrogance. I am sure that all hon. Members will try to appreciate that we need a new amended Shops Act to deal with Sunday trading. The vehicle for achieving that is available this morning for all hon. Members to vote on. If hon. Members give it proper consideration, without bias or selfishness, the Bill will proceed to the Lords.
          10.30 am
          Mr. Michael Alison: This is a useful new clause, although its drafting is complex. It presents three options, which the Government have said that they, too, will present in due course. Subsection (3) states:
          "No order shall be made under subsection (1) which … would have the effect of exempting all shops"—
          that is the total deregulation formula. Voting for amendment (a) would make that part of our future Sunday trading arrangements: a majority in favour of the amendment would clearly constitute a majority in favour of full deregulation. We should then know where we stood. If the amendment were disallowed, we should at least know that the majority did not want full deregulation.
          As it stands, new clause 14 incorporates, in outline, many of the suggestions of the Shopping Hours Reform Council, including the substitution of six hours for two hours. If the new clause—with or without amendment (a) —were opposed, that would suggest that the House broadly preferred the Bill in its present form.
          Today's debate provides us with an opportunity to choose between the three options in the new clause. Would not it be tantalising for everyone concerned, not least the Government's business managers, if the House were able —on a single Friday before the Whitsun recess—to decide a matter so controversial that, were the Government to

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          present their own legislation in the autumn next year, it would involve a lengthy process of Second Reading, Committee and so forth, with several late-night sittings? This measure has a convenience-package factor in that it involves hours of debate, rather than whole days and nights.
          Mr. Fabricant: Will my right hon. Friend give way?
          Mr. Alison: Of course I will give way to my hon. Friend, to whom I gave way frequently in Committee.
          Mr. Fabricant: I appreciate my right hon. Friend's courtesy, as I did in Committee.
          Surely my right hon. Friend is not suggesting that the House could make such a decision today, given the small number of hon. Members present. It being a Friday, many hon. Members are in their constituencies. Will not the real test come in the next Session of Parliament when, we hope, the matter will be given Government time?
          Mr. Alison: My hon. Friend usually prefaces his interventions with "I am a very new boy in the House", or "I am not very familiar with the way things work here, but—". I am sorry that he did not do so on this occasion, for his intervention reflects his inexperience. He cannot understand what really happens on Fridays if he believes that the number of hon. Members present now represents the number who will appear from the highways and byways, the chambers and television rooms, to pour through the Lobbies.
          Mr. Michael Stern: Will my right hon. Friend give way?
          Mr. Alison: I had better make progress. If my hon. Friend wishes to correct me on a factual point, I am happy to stand corrected without even hearing what he has to say.
          A certain precondition is inherent in our attempt to crowd all the essential decisions that the Government want us to make into a single Friday sitting. The Bill may be amended further in the House of Lords; as it stands, however—having been amended in Committee—is it yet mature enough, albeit not perfect, for the House to be able to decide whether to go for full deregulation, to insert the variation suggested by the Shopping Hours Reform Council or to leave the Bill in its present form? I believe that it is mature enough and has been sufficiently amended.
          I hope that this will not be taken as a personal attack, but I must draw attention to a feature of my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold), who was a valued member of the Standing Committee. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I note that my view is shared by those who were not on the Committee. My right hon. Friend suffers from a rare parliamentary malady—particularly rare among Front Benchers. She is addicted to amendments. What moth holes are to moths, what rabbit holes are to rabbits, amendments are to my right hon. Friend: she cannot have too many of them.
          Dame Angela Rumbold rose—
          Mr. Alison: I have not yet finished my devastating attack on my right hon. Friend; let me develop it further.
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          My right hon. Friend put her name to 200 amendments in Committee and there must be 90 or 100 on the amendment paper today. Hon. Members may point out that she was a Minister for many years and has spent most of her parliamentary life resisting amendments; that, however, is no proof that she is not an addict. Many a schoolmistress has confiscated crisps and sweets in class, in order to devour them when the bereft children have gone home. I can tell the House in confidence that, if it were possible by a flick of a magic wand to substitute for this Bill one of my right hon. Friend's Criminal Justice Acts —she presented several in earlier days—she would cover the amendment paper with amendments to it. It would be instinctive. Indeed, this illness of hers—this addiction to amendments—has spilled over, and now affects her erstwhile Front—Bench colleague, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. He, too, has now caught the habit. He cannot resist amendments. Amendments are to be tabled in the other place to the current Criminal Justice Bill. The addiction of my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden for amendments should be borne in mind when I outline the important amendments that have already been made to make the Bill a mature Bill.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: I was much amused by my right hon. Friend's choice of words when expressing his views about the number of amendments that stand in my name on the amendment paper. Does he agree that it is just as well that Members of Parliament who hold the same views as I were in favour of some of the motions that were before the House earlier this parliamentary Session? I hope that my right hon. Friend can imagine the consequences of extending our debates on this Bill even further than those that we had on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill. On a more serious note, I hope that my right hon. Friend will accept that it is important that this Bill, which is complex and difficult and which has caused so much distress to a large number of people, should be as near perfect as we can possibly make it and that that is the reason for the amendments.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I must point out that those hon. Members whose interventions are lengthy and who also expect to catch my eye later will find that long interventions are taken into consideration.
          Mr. Alison: Thank goodness I am on my feet, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I shall apply that principle to myself and will not take too long.
          My hon. Friend is right and how grateful I am to her that she did not table a large number of amendments to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill. That, of course, shows that for the alcoholic—my right hon. Friend is far from that, but I use the word just as a metaphor —there is selectivity about one's particular tipple. Mercifully, my right hon. Friend's tipple is not the Maastricht Bill, but the Shops (Amendment) Bill.
          Let me refer to some of the improvements that were made in Committee, in response to some of the amendments that my right hon. Friend tried to table. The size restriction for the main category of smaller shops authorised to open has been doubled from 1,500 to 3,000 ft—about the size of the Central Lobby. Sweeping improvements for the opening of Jewish shops have been accepted. Do-it-yourself shops have been enfranchised for Sunday opening, whereas earlier they were excluded.

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          Garden centres and farm shops can now not only open but can open to sell the full range of their goods. The self-assessment or registration procedures for smaller shops opening on Sundays, as originally proposed in the Bill, are now, thanks to what has been said by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell), to be drastically revised and simplified. No statistical measure of turnover will be called for.
          All these amendments, and others, have been made or tabled not only to assuage my right hon. Friend's addiction but to produce a moderate, reasonable and viable Bill. Moderation, viability and reasonableness are the hallmarks of the Bill.
          I must ask right hon. and hon. Members to reflecct for a moment on the significance of the fact that the Shops Act 1950 is well over 40 years old and that serious efforts over many years to amend or replace a 43-year-old Shops Act have been unsuccessful and unrequited. The House, successive Governments of all parties and the country at large have in effect demonstrated that they are comfortable with the old ways. Like an old but comfortable coat or pair of shoes, or even an old house, we are loth to change or discard something that works and suits us, even though it could be amended and perhaps made slightly better.
          It is not the sabbatarian religious fanatics who want to keep Sunday special. It is the eastender who wants a day off, as well as many millions of others, of every class and background. The traditional, quietish and different character of Sunday has wide appeal. There may be scope for a little bit of make-do-and-mend with the Shops Act, but it is the wild-eyed fanatics of commercial activism, like my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden and my hon. Friends the Members for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) and for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall), who is the most fanatically and commercially minded of them all, who are the true revolutionaries. What they want, essentially, is a change to complete deregulation—a change as sweeping as the execution of royalty in the French revolution.
          10.45 am
          Mr.Simon Coombs: I appreciate that my right hon. Friend has not singled me out for one of his extremely charming ways of insulting people, but does he accept that some of us are in the House this morning on behalf of our constituents who have indicated, in opinion poll after opinion poll by a margin of 70 per cent., that they would like to be able to shop on Sundays and who demonstrate every Sunday that they want to shop on Sunday by going and doing just that? That is why some of us are here to talk about the issue. While I am on my feet, can I say that I should have liked to talk in Committee but that I was prevented—
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I am on my feet. It looks as though the hon. Gentleman and others who have intervened are continuing the Second Reading debate. I hope, therefore, that the right hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) will speak to the new clause.
          Mr. Alison: I am sorry that I have lured my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs), whom I would only ever want to help, into making an intervention that may have damaged his prospects of speaking in the debate.
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          Let me remind him, however, that public opinion polls have a tatty and disreputable past. I do not believe that we need to think too much about them.
          Rev. Ian Paisley: Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the rights of the people who have to work in order to cater for those who want to shop on Sunday? Have they no rights to be protected?
          Mr. Alison: They are, I believe, overwhelmingly the silent majority.
          If we do not pass the Bill, amended or unamended, today, and reach the stage of full or partial deregulation, I do not deny that there will be a switch to Sunday shopping. It will probably be a substantial switch, but that will be the manifestation not of a pent-up demand for Sunday shopping but of the secondary importance and postponability of shopping. The possibility of Sunday shopping means that we can do things that we care about more, such as tiddly winks or boules, on days and at times that are put in front of shopping and that we postpone shopping until Sunday because shopping is not important to us.
          The essential postponability of shopping will lead to a switch to Sunday shopping, but what virtually every expert expects is that if there is widespread Sunday opening, costs will rise. No more goods, overall, will be sold. There will be merely a switch from shopping on other days of the week. Volumes will remain static. Prices will go up and retailing jobs will go down. Everybody—the silent majority to whom my hon. Friend the Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) referred, the shop workers and the general public—will be disadvantaged.
          I hope that we do not agree the amendments of my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden. I hope that we shall settle, here and now, for the option that we prefer. My advice to the House is to stick to the old ways.
          Mr. Alfred Morris: I shall not speak at great length and will conclude as quickly as I can out of regard for others who want to speak to the new clause.
          My hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) has proved that his word is his bond. On Second Reading on 22 January, he promised to give sympathetic consideration to every constructive amendment moved in Committee. That promise was kept. Many significant amendments were approved, notably the increase to 3,000 sq ft in the size of shop allowed to open, and we now have a Bill that is the first serious attempt to reform the Sunday trading law in a sensible and practical way. While liberalising the 1950 Act, the Bill respects the special nature of Sunday and is the best possible means of tackling a mess that has become messier month by month.
          In declaring my interest in the debate—I have the honour to be sponsored by the Co-operative movement —I again declare my pride in being an upholder here of a trading concept that is among the most admirable this country ever gave to the world.
          By tabling the new clause, my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore has gone further than his promise on Second Reading in responding positively to amendments in Committee. He has accepted the Government's wish to offer right hon. and hon. Members three options for reforming the law: first total deregulation; secondly, the Shopping Hours Reform Council's plan for partial deregulation; and, thirdly, what the Bill proposes. The

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          Government's intention was to allow the House to vote on the three options in the autumn, possibly in November, but my hon. Friend's initiative in tabling the new clause makes it possible for us to decide the issue in this debate. That will be very widely welcomed outside the House by a public who have grown weary of the policy of dither, delay and drift. I support my hon. Friend's initiative and hope that the House will do so by an emphatic majority when we vote on the new clause.
          It is no secret that each of the three options which this debate is addressing has its supporters in the Cabinet. The Home Secretary, for example, favours deregulation, the Heritage Secretary and others support variations of the SHRC plan and the Employment Secretary, among others, wants what the Bill proposes. What should unite them all, however, and every other right hon. and hon. Member, is a determination to resolve the issue now, and that is what my hon. Friend's ingenious new clause makes possible.
          There is no reason whatever why we should delay until the autumn a decision that we can take today. What makes it extremely urgent to decide and to legislate now is the issue of law and order. The Government are said to be deeply concerned by the extent of public discontent with their failure to cope with increasing lawlessness in Britain today. Let me give them one reason for that discontent. Everyone knows that lawbreaking on Sunday trading by retailers is totally out of hand. Not only is the law debased but Parliament itself is demeaned by some very rich people who regard themselves as being above the law and, by implication, are contemptuous of those who make and work to uphold the law.
          The chairmen of major plcs now blatantly ignore the law because it does not suit them. They will not be able to do so if the purpose of the new clause is achieved, as I hope it will be at the conclusion of the debate. I refer to people such as Sir Ian MacLaurin, David Sainsbury and Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy. A spokesman for Tesco apparently did not see the irony of his recent comment with reference to graffiti and damaged fences at one of Tesco's superstore developments when he said:
          "Breaking the law is not the way to protest."
          That is what this House must tell him today. Many much poorer people who fail to pay their poll tax wonder why the chairman of a plc is allowed to break the law but they are put in prison for doing so.
          Lawbreaking on today's massive scale is creating unfair competition between large retailers. That is why the new clause is so important. Those who break the law are stealing market share from their law-abiding competitors. David Sainsbury publicly admitted this week that this accounted for part of his profit. He might as well have said that part of his profit was due to stealing. Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, is losing £1 million a week of turnover for obeying the law. How can we allow that to go on for month after month when we have the chance today to update the law and stop lawbreaking?
          The Prime Minister is said to be speaking to Scottish Conservatives today about the explosion in crime and the need for better law and order.
          Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman: Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Morris: Very briefly; I said that I want to conclude quickly.
          Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman: Marks and Spencer, too, is losing a lot of money. It has good proposals that differ only in the smallest possible way from the new clause. It is to be commended for keeping the law.
          Mr. Morris: What Marks and Spencer is saying is taken into account by the new clause, which allows the House to take a decision today that should not be deferred for six more months. I agree with the hon. Lady that we must look carefully and sympathetically at every proposal that is before us. Most of all, we must act quickly.
          I was saying that I understand that the Prime Minister is addressing Scottish Conservatives today on the need for better law and order. Many people will think that, instead, he should be here at Westminster to vote for law and order by supporting the new clause on the good old principle that action speaks louder than words.
          Lawbreaking on Sunday trading is resulting in many small shops being driven over the edge into bankruptcy. Even loss of between 5 and 10 per cent. is often enough to cause a small corner or village shop to go from profit to loss. Corner shops and small village shops situated near super—stores are losing vital turnover. They are bleeding to death from this haemorrhage of their businesses, yet I am sure that every hon. Member wants these small shops to be able to trade legally on Sunday with their entire range of goods. The recent London Economics report concluded that Sunday trading would greatly increase the pressure on small shops. Again, how can we allow such extensive lawbreaking to go on day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year, when it is making life so wretched for smaller retailers?
          Hugo Young, writing in The Guardian on 4 May, highlighted how inappropriate it is that some of the large companies that are breaking the law are also major contributors to the funds of one political party. These companies
          "are breaking the law every Sunday and not even Mr. Gummer has been heard to utter the Phillipic appropriate to a law and order party. In fact Ministers have been blandly silent. When it suits politics, every Minister becomes an accomplice to the degrading of law."
          No fewer than 256 Members of the House have signed an early-day motion demanding that
          "Major national retailers set an example by closing their stores on Sundays in observance of the rule of law and in recognition of the sovereignty of Parliament."
          The issue now is whether Parliament makes the laws in this country or whether the overmighty will be allowed to defy the will of Parliament. It will be quite intolerable for the Bill to be yet another victim of organised filibustering. If that happens, there will be widespread anger among people who are sick and tired of lawbreaking by the rich and powerful. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore on the new clause and I commend its purpose most warmly to the House.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: I wish to speak to new clause 10 and I hope very much that we shall be able to have a separate debate on it. I do not wish to pursue the arguments about new clause 14. I suspect that a number of hon. Members believe that new clause 10 sits more appropriately with the spirit of the long title of the Bill; I am not so convinced that new clause 14 does so.

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          I have no wish other than to make the Bill perfect and that is why I have tabled amendments. I genuinely believe that the amendments that my hon. Friends and I have tabled will be beneficial to the general appearance of the Bill. However, the timing and placing of new clause 14 is a little suspect, so it would be better for us to concentrate on the proposals in new clause 10, which to a certain extent addresses some of the problems that the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) was trying to tackle.
          The key point to new clause 10 is to consider the extension of classes of registration, in order to broaden the Bill. The new clause would allow the Secretary of State to remedy oversights in the legislation and to close loopholes, and we need to consider that idea carefully. I suspect that if the sponsors of the Bill were trying to translate their long title, it would fall into roughly the following phraseology: "This Bill closes shops on Sundays except those that sell goods and services that contribute to four main areas." The four areas named have always been recreation, emergencies, social gathering and travel, as advocated by the REST proposals. Those of us who served on the Committee, and greatly enjoyed the experience, those of us who paid a great deal of attention and were grateful to the hon. Member for Ogmore for being flexible and for accepting many of the amendments tabled by my hon. Friends and by me, accept that it is incredibly difficult to identify those areas exactly and to specify the shops, products and recreations simply by listing them, as the Bill tries to do.
          We welcomed, for example, the acceptance of the principle of allowing do-it-yourself shops to open on Sundays. But why only DIY shops? What is wrong with second-hand bookshops, which represent just as much of a recreation for many of us? I shall not take up too much of the time of the House, but I shall use one example to illustrate the difficulties involved in trying to identify by shop exactly how one can provide for recreation. I rest my case on that principle.
          11 am
          Mr. Michael Brown: My right hon. Friend is right. The moment we start listing, we get into a legislative mess. For example, the Bill proposes that a shop registered under class B will be permitted to sell live tropical fish. Will a shopkeeper be prosecuted if he sells a goldfish? That is the sort of mess that will be created if trading standards officers interpret the legislation aggressively, and that is the sort of prosecution that we shall see.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: To prevent such confusion is the very purpose of the new clause. It would give the Secretary of State the power to deal with those loopholes and omissions and to say, for very good reason, "Yes, we forgot that loophole and we shall deal with it."
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: I shall point out to the right hon. Lady that there is a rationale behind the approach in the Bill. It is to keep open the shops that men use and keep closed the shops that women use, so that they will stay behind and do the cooking for us, for when we get home.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: I am sure that if the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) reflects on the purport of what he just said, he will realise what a sexist remark that was. None the less, I assure him that I should
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          prefer to cook on a Sunday than to shop. As everyone knows, I have frequently declared my dislike of shopping every day of the week, and Sunday is no exception.
          Mr. Burns: Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the comments of the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) were probably heavily influenced by an article that appeared in The Independent yesterday, saying that male Members of Parliament were prejudiced because they allowed shops for the boys to be open on a Sunday? However, the article, which was written by the hon. Member for Redcar (Ms Mowlam), was rather wrongly illustrated with a photograph of both a man and a woman leaving a DIY shop carrying DIY products.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding me of the article in The Independent, which I have read. Perhaps my hon. Friend should see my daughter going to pick up the cement on a Sunday, and then he would recognise that she is one of the members of my family who not only does it herself but makes DIY purchases at a time convenient for her. She is a busy full-time worker so, unfortunately, she has to choose Sundays on which to do her shopping. It should be her right to do that.
          Dr. Liam Fox: Does my right hon. Friend agree that although some politicians cannot walk and chew gum at the same time, most women, being infinitely more flexible, can certainly shop and cook on the same day, so the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) is unlikely to be disappointed?
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I can see no way of differentiating between male and female in either of the new clauses that we are considering.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I was simply trying to re-emphasise the point made by new clause 10, which gives the Secretary of State the power to add new classes of shop to the Bill. That is an important power, which we should not deny the Secretary of State.
          Mrs. Audrey Wise: Will the right hon. Lady correct the hon. Member for Brigg and Cleethorpes (Mr. Brown), who referred to tropical fish? He was clearly misreading the Bill, probably mischievously. All that is mentioned in connection with tropical fish is the fact that they can be part of the principal goods sold, which must amount to 80 per cent. of the trade. Any other kind of product, including coldwater fish, can be sold as part of the remaining 20 per cent. Please let us not have misrepresentation.
          Hon. Members: It is a red herring.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: The hon. Lady has made her point, although I am not sure whether it has been well taken by my hon. Friends.
          Another principle introduced by new clause 10 is the importance of keeping the law up to date. We have all seen what has happened to the Shops Act 1950, and we all know that it has been exceedingly difficult to try to introduce a new Act. My right hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Alison), like other hon. Members, said that there had been no opportunity to change the law, but I suspect that in 1986, when the Home Secretary of the day tried to introduce deregulation, my right hon. Friend

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          probably chose to vote against it. It was his right to do so, but it would be incorrect to leave the House with the impression that there had been no genuine attempt by the Government to change the 1950 Act.
          That Act was introduced a long time ago, and many people simply fail to recognise the huge social changes that have taken place since then. I shall not make a sexist remark, but I suspect that some hon. Members would like us to go back to the 1950s. Unfortunately for them, they cannot take us back there. It is important to remember that in 1950 only 26 per cent. of married women went to work, whereas 61 per cent. now do so. Those women have an equal right to make choices about the way in which they conduct the rest of their lives. One of the most important things that they have to do is to decide how to conduct their lives in concert with the needs of their working lives and of their families. The Bill would deprive those women of that opportunity. Therefore, it is important that we examine the exact extent of the deprivation that the Bill would impose on many women.
          Mr. Burns: May I make again to my right hon. Friend the point that I made in Committee, because it is as relevant now as it was then? It is a red herring to flog to death the argument that, because of changes in the way in which society goes about its business, women cannot shop except on a Sunday and that shops have to be open on a Sunday because women are working. As I said in Committee, my wife is no different from the wives of many hon. Members. She has a full-time job and she has to look after two young children, yet she can easily do food and non-food shopping during the week and on Saturdays without needing the law to give her time to do shopping on Sundays because she cannot find any other time. It is a question of organisation rather than of changing social patterns.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: That comment outlines precisely the objection to the Bill of many working women who have to work and to look after families. The Bill simply does not recognise the difficulties that women face. It is perfectly all right to say that women can arrange their lives so that they can do the shopping on Saturday, leaving them free to do housework and to cook lunch on Sunday. However, let us remember that women have just as much right to have a day when they can pursue recreational activities and it does not need to be Sunday. Why must the House declare that Sunday is the one day on which women can choose to take their time off?
          Mr. David Alton: What will the right hon. Lady say to women who will be forced to work on Sundays as a result of the deregulation that she favours?
          Dame Angela Rumbold: We shall come later to some important amendments that deal with the protection of people who may have to work on Sunday. A number of women choose to work on Sunday and I should like to know what would happen to them.
          Ms Janet Anderson: Does the right hon. Lady agree that many women value the opportunity to work on Sundays? In my constituency there are women who do not want to abandon their children to child minders during the week. They can work
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          in the local Asda in Rawtenstall on a Sunday while their husbands care for their children and they can earn some much-needed income for the family. It suits them very well.
          I remind the right hon. Lady of the letter that I read out in Committee from a women who works in a B and Q store on a Sunday and who receives double time for that. She says at the end of her letter:
          "I believe in God and I believe he knows that I am doing the best for my family."
          Dame Angela Rumbold: The hon. Lady has expressed the point far more perfectly than I could. It is not only because of this issue that we want new clause 10 to be inserted in the Bill. New clause 10 leads us to future proofing, to use engineering terminology, on a number of other issues. It would allow the law to be changed when there was public demand for change without the necessity of going through the difficult and time-consuming process of introducing legislation. No hon. Member, including the promoter and the sponsors of the Bill, wants the lengthy debate and agonising that we have gone through in past years over the introduction of legislation to replace the Shops Act 1950. It is clear that the issue raises enormous and intense emotional concerns. We want on the statute book, therefore, legislation that is sufficiently flexible and that will allow Parliament to make decisions, about Sunday trading and about people's ability to use Sundays in the way that they wish, which are in concert with the time, the place and the year.
          Mr. Alison: I have looked with great interest at new clause 10 and I am listening with rapt attention to what my right hon. Friend is saying about it. If new clause 10 were accepted, should we then not have to worry about any further amendments in the House of Commons? Could the Bill, with the inclusion of new clause 10, ride through to Third Reading and be amended in the House of Lords? Would it then represent the flexible and adaptable regime that my right hon. Friend has expounded? If so, and if, on condition that new clause 10 were accepted, my right hon. Friend would encourage us to go through to Third Reading and to allow the Bill to go to the House of Lords, many of us would look sympathetically at new clause 10.
          Dame Angela Rumbold: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. There are a number of amendments today on which we should like to take the view of the House, as is perfectly legitimate on Report. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for saying that he might be able to support new clause 10. It is a step forward for those of us who would like greater flexibility and an extension of the powers given in the Bill. We should like to have a vote on new clause 10.
          11.15 am
          Mr. Andrew F. Bennett: I praise my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) for his hard work on the Bill and I also praise the hard work done by the Keep Sunday Special campaign and by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) and other hon. Members who worked hard to get the Bill through its Committee stage and to produce what many people felt was a satisfactory solution to the problems of Sunday trading.

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          I regret that the Government have not got on with their task rather more quickly. It is sad that the Government are still talking about bringing three Bills before the House and giving the House a choice some time next year although, for the past 18 months or so, many people have broken the law. The Government should give a far more vigorous lead in trying to decide which option is best.
          I have a great deal of sympathy for my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore, who was faced by many amendments. As they were grouped, we could have had 35 or 36 Divisions. We could have spent nine hours simply voting on all the amendments before there was any discussion. It was sensible of my hon. Friend to table new clause 14, which has at least ensured that today's debate has taken account of some of the important issues that underlie the Bill and has avoided the whole Friday being given up to going over the minutiae of the Bill as hon. Members who did not want it to progress talked at great length.
          Having done that, we must address ourselves to the crucial issues raised by new clause 14. The House must address the important question whether it is appropriate to deal with the detail of the Bill through regulations. The right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold) addressed that point in new clause 10. I have a great deal of unease about regulations because they take power away from the House of Commons in terms of legislation and hand it to Ministers in the form of regulations. Legislation can be amended line by line and it is not easy to get through good things and bad things in a package. We have all seen how easy it is to put together a package of regulations and to persuade the House to support a regulation because although it does not like some things in it, it likes others. It is a little dangerous to go along the line of regulations.
          However, I accept that the details of Sunday trading and changing customs and practices raise the problem of having to keep legislating. One reason why Sunday trading is now in such a mess is that the primary legislation has not been easy to amend by regulation and so has been unable to adapt. There is a problem for the House. Is it better to deal with the matter by primary legislation or by having an enabling Act and many regulations? I think that there is a case for dealing with Sunday trading by regulations. However, if we do so, we must keep the major safeguards with the House.
          One of the attractions of new clause 14 is that any regulation would be subject to an affirmative resolution. New clause 10 would simply involve a prayer and we know how difficult it is even to get prayers debated and voted on. I go further and suggest to the Minister that if the Government are considering including regulations in any of their three options on Sunday trading, they should go for affirmative resolutions to change regulations and they should make the regulations amendable. That is not often done, although it was done in respect of regulations under the census legislation. The adoption of such a course would allow the House of Commons to retain a certain amount of power over the regulations, but would also give us considerable flexibility.
          A second issue is addressed in the new clause—and, certainly, in my amendment (a) to which I shall come in a moment. The House is to be confronted with a problem: it will have to choose from three options as opposed to choosing either for or against what the Government propose. We all know that the procedures of the House are
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          designed to enable us to vote yes or no. But the Government say that they will come forward with three proposals on Sunday trading. Will the Minister explain how we are to vote on three proposals?
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: Maybe.
          Mr. Bennett: As my hon. Friend says, maybe.
          The great difficulty with such a vote is that its outcome will depend on which of the three proposals comes first. That decision may be made by the parliamentary draftsman; if it is not, the onus will be on Madam Speaker to choose which option should come first. The danger is that, unless there is a clear majority for one proposal, whichever option comes first is likely to be defeated. If we manage to get the three options voted on today, that problem may become evident.
          Suppose that deregulation is the first option voted on. Those who want the present Sunday trading laws relaxed to some extent and those who want to keep Sunday special will vote against. If the middle option is voted on first, those who support deregulation and those who wish to keep Sunday special will vote against. That presents a major difficulty—unless we can design new voting procedures whereby it will be possible to establish that, say, 300 hon. Members voted for option A, 200 for option B and 150 for option C. I hope that the Government will address that major problem and ensure that, when they put the three options before us, they do not stack the decision in favour of what they want while pretending to the country that hon. Members will have a free vote on all the proposals.
          Mr. Alton: I support the hon. Gentleman's line of argument. Does he recall that when the present Home Secretary was Secretary of State for Health, he had experience of using this three-card trick in relation to the human fertilisation and embryology legislation?
          Mr. Bennett: I may not entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman as regards the outcome on that occasion, but I take his point that that is the problem with the way in which voting is conducted.
          I hope that the House will today give the Government a clear indication that one of the options—if not two—is unacceptable and that we may thus narrow the Government's focus. The House will see that amendment (a), which stands in my name, embodies the deregulation option.
          Mr. Fabricant: May I again make the point that I raised with my right hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) concerning the number of hon. Members present today. Are not members of the Government—
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The number of hon. Members present has nothing to do with the new clause.
          Mr. Bennett: I have certainly been conscious that many people in my constituency know that we are to vote on Sunday trading today; they have been writing me letters asking me to be here and I have had the day marked in my diary for a long time. I know the strength of feeling that exists in my constituency on this matter—not all of it on the same side. My constituents expect me to be here. We must accept responsibility. There are many Fridays on which we do not need to attend, but that is our choice.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I had hoped that the hon. Gentleman would not reply to the intervention of the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant), on which I have already ruled.
          Mr. Bennett: I am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
          We all have a responsibility as regards whether we are here for votes that take place in the House. If an hon. Member is not here, that is his fault: he cannot complain about the result.
          Hon. Members will have the opportunity to choose from three options. My amendment embodies the deregulation option. Let me explain to the House that I tabled it to help my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore to get it on to the amendment paper. I instructed him to try to find someone who was an enthusiastic deregulator to put his or her name to it. My hon. Friend was unable to find such an enthusiastic deregulator.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: I cannot see how amendment (a) fits in with the long title of the Bill.
          Mr. Bennett: Let us put it this way: Madam Speaker selected it and, as far as I am concerned, that is that question answered. If my hon. Friend wants to pursue the matter further, he is entitled to do so. The explanation given to me was that it would help if one included regulations subject to affirmative resolution by the House.
          If they have the opportunity to do so, enthusiastic deregulators should vote for amendment (a), although I may say that my hon. Friend's failure to find any hon. Member to put his name to the deregulation amendment was not for want of trying. The fact is that not many people in this country want total deregulation.
          Mr. Alton: Is not it the case that, when the Government introduced their own proposals for total deregulation, they could not muster a majority in prime time—let alone on a Friday?
          Mr. Bennett: I accept that argument. If we do nothing else, we should try today to establish that there is not a majority in the House for total deregulation and so get that option out of the way.
          Although I tabled the amendment, I hope that deregulation will ultimately be rejected. I think that it is important that we should keep Sunday special to enable people to enjoy their religious rights. It is important that one day of the week is kept different. I am worried about the greed implicit in the fact that people continually want to go shopping. Given the tremendous commercial pressures, it is well worth having certain restrictions. I believe that keeping Sunday special has advantages for family life. I also accept the point made by the right hon. Member for Selby that seven-day trading, especially in food, only serves to put up prices. I also have sympathy with many of my constituents who live near supermarkets and who bought their property on the understanding that, on one day at least, they would be free of all the traffic and noise. It would be unfair to inflict extra trading hours on those people.
          People say that we should be free to shop on Sundays. The trouble with most freedoms is that one person's freedom is someone else's restriction. I hope that the House will be able to vote today and make it absolutely clear that it would like the Government to go ahead with a Bill along the lines of my hon. Friend's Bill. If that happens, it would be logical not to wait for a Government
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          Bill but to ask the Government to find extra time so that we can continue and complete our deliberations on a Bill along the present lines. That would enable us to stop the illegal trading that is taking place at present. It would also save the House a lot of time in the next Session, in which the Government claim that they will have a lot of work to do.
          The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Peter Lloyd): It may be helpful if I intervene, on what I intend to be the only occasion this morning, to make some observations on what the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) almost described as this unique, not-to-be-repeated special offer of new clause 14, with added amendment (a).
          I am sure that it will be helpful—if you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, will allow me—if I restate briefly the Government's position on the Bill and on the way in which Sunday trading issues might best be resolved. The Government have long believed that Sunday trading cannot satisfactorily be sorted out by means of a private Member's Bill: the issues are too involved; the House is too divided; and the time available is too short. The huge number of amendments on the amendment paper bears out the correctness of that judgment, as do the further major amendments that the hon. Member for Ogmore promises will be introduced in the other place.
          Although I admire the hon. Gentleman's tenacity and dedication, which have brought his Bill such a long way, and the sincerity and devotion of those advising him in the Keep Sunday Special campaign, I have to say that the Government do not believe that it will be possible to reach an effective, coherent and durable conclusion by means of his Bill or any other private Member's Bill.
          11.30 am
          The House must have the opportunity to compare, contrast and choose between fully worked versions of all the major reform proposals, which command support in the country and the retail trade as well as the House, with time for hon. Members and their constituents to assess and weigh what it will mean for their constituencies, and shopping arrangements locally. Putting in a complex new clause and a further amendment like this at the last moment on a Friday and saying that it will provide for the whole range of choices is not a substitute for that considered debate that the House believes is necessary before it can come to a satisfactory conclusion—despite the witty but unconvincing dismissal of the point by my right hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Alison)—especially when few hon. Members, not least those who support the other reform options, had any inkling of what would apparently be on offer today before the letter from the hon. Member for Ogmore dated Tuesday 11 May.
          The hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) acknowledged that the new clause does not give the House those fully worked choices. Instead, it will give the Secretary of State at some time in the future the power, if he so decided, to bring forward orders to change the categories of shops that might register to open. I do not think, therefore, that the new clause represents the generous offer that the hon. Member for Ogmore clearly believes it to be, even supposing that the order-making power of the Secretary of State was as broad as the hon. Gentleman expects the new clause to make it.
          I have not had sufficient time to study the clause and take advice, but I am sceptical, like the hon. Member for

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          Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell), about whether a Bill with a long title which says that it provides for a general prohibition on Sunday opening—-and debated as such on Second Reading—could possibly be elastic enough to provide power to the Secretary of State to make a valid order allowing a majority of, let alone all, shops, lo open. Of course, that will he a matter finally for the Chair, not for me.
          The issue of Sunday trading has come to the House so many times in the past and has always been left unresolved. The long way round by way of a Government Bill next Session on this issue will prove to be the shortest way home, and the new clause and the further amendments promised by the hon. Member for Ogmore for another place confirm me in that view. That is why the Government will publish, in the next few weeks, their own Bill containing the major reform proposals. I cannot give a more precise date, as the Government are heavily dependent on the campaign groups coming to decisions on the details of their proposals. With the hon. Gentleman saying that there were additional important amendments to the Bill to be tabled in another place, even the Keep Sunday Special campaign has not got its Bill in its final form.
          Together with the Bill, the Government will publish an objective commentary explaining what each of the options would do—who would be able to open, who would have to shut and when, and, most crucially, how the resultant legislation would be enforced.
          Mr. Patrick Cormack: Will my hon. Friend give way?
          Mr. Lloyd: I will not give way to my hon. Friend, although I should like to do so. If I start to give way, I will be taking a great deal of time—and that would be unfair. When I come to the end of my remarks, and if I have not answered my hon. Friend's questions, I will take his intervention. I hope that he will understand that there will be many interventions on what the Government intend to do, which is not on the subject of this Bill, and it would be wrong for me to take up the time of the House on that matter.
          Ms Joan Ruddock: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Lloyd: I will not give way for the same reasons that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South (Mr. Cormack). At the end, I will give way to my hon. Friend and then the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock) if I have not covered their points in my remaining remarks.
          I stressed that it was important that the new Act should be enforceable. Many hon. Members—I agree with them—complain that the present law is ignored. Local authorities, whose job it is to enforce it, say that it is too difficult and too expensive. I am sorry that they believe that, but I understand why they do. Whichever choice is made—whether it is now or, as the Government would advise, with a more considered opportunity by means of a Government Bill later—it is agreed by virtually everyone that it is essential that the provisions of any new Act must be readily capable of effective enforcement. The Bill that we are debating would be even more difficult to enforce than the Shops Act 1950. That legislation has proved especially difficult to put into effect.
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          Although the hon. Member for Ogmore no longer intends to rely on the 80:20 per cent. turnover provision for small shops, if he is successful with his amendments in another place he will still require them to register under one or other class A head. Registration would be granted on information supplied by shopkeepers. The Bill would not require local authorities to verify what they are told, but would give them a duty to enforce the law. How would local authorities enforce it? How would they know which shops they should check? To check them all would be a gargantuan job. To leave it to chance or complaint from the public or a bruised competitor would be grossly unfair and generally ineffective.
          The larger stores over 3,000 sq ft would still be allowed to trade on Sunday only if 80 per cent. of turnover was derived from a specified list of products. That would mean that neither the retailer nor the local authority would know whether an offence had been committed until a certain period had passed. The law cannot operate effectively in that way. An offence must relate to a specific act on a specific date, not to a pattern of trading over time.
          I do not want to labour that point and take up precious time; nor do I want to pass judgment on what the hon. Member for Ogmore and other hon. Members want to achieve. However, I have a duty to leave the House with the full realisation that if it decides to give the Bill a Third Reading today, and if the resultant Act is to be capable of enforcement and restoring respect for the law in this area, it will have to be not only amended but comprehensively recast in another place.
          Therefore, I hope that the House will conclude that it would be best if this Bill were reconstructed for inclusion in a Government Bill in the autumn. It may take a few months longer, but that course will produce legislation that is fair, more effective and durable, and be much more likely to reflect the mature judgment of the House and the country.
          Mr. Cormack: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way because this is a crucial point for many people.. Is my hon. Friend giving the House an unequivocal undertaking that there will be legislation in the Queen's speech and that that will be proceeded with before the summer recess, together with the document that he discussed'? Will he be making some strong recommendations about what will happen to the lawbreakers?
          Mr. Lloyd: The Government intend to introduce a Bill early in the next Session. I can confirm that we intend, well before the summer recess, to publish a Bill with the major choices in it, together with a commentary describing what those major choices would do in practice and how they would be enforced. It is vital that hon. Members and their constituents are able to see what those complicated choices would do. There needs to be sufficient time for a public debate before a Bill comes to the House.
          I, together with my hon. and right hon. Friends in the Government, regard it as most important that, whichever choices we end up with, the law should be clear and capable of being effectively enforced. I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South that the present situation has a corrosive effect on respect for the law. We have a major law with which many people do not agree, and those who are charged by law to enforce it—the local authorities—find it extremely difficult to do so. We want to get away from that position.
          Mr. A. J. Beith: Back them up.
          Mr. Lloyd: It is not a simple matter of backing them up, as the right hon. Gentleman says. The law is perfectly clear: it falls to the local authorities to enforce it, not to the Government. Therein lies the Government's major difficulty in that respect.
          Ms Ruddock: The Minister presents a well-thought-out case about how to give the House real options. He uses in support of that the pressure groups. He says that they have not yet worked up their options. Will he acknowledge that all those pressure groups include in their proposals full employment protection for workers who might work on Sundays? Will he make it clear that if the choices are to be comprehensive and representative of the pressure groups, they must embody employment protection? That is a matter not of choice but of consensus.
          If the Minister looks at early-day motion 1929, it will be clear to him that the number of his hon. Friends who have supported it is more than his parliamentary majority. In a free and real choice, employment protection for Sunday workers would have to be presented by the Government.
          Mr. Lloyd: I accept the hon. Lady's point that employment protection and the way in which it should be incorporated into the Bill is a lively issue which is important to many people. Part of the Bill will be devoted to employee protection. Like any other part of the Bill, it will be subject to amendments and votes of the House. I believe that we shall end up with a Bill that includes a clause on employee protection which commands the support of a majority of the House. But I would be straying from the new clause if I were to expand on that.
          I warmly congratulate the hon. Member for Ogmore and his friends in KSS for bringing this complex Bill so far. I also thank them for the constructive and lengthy discussions that they have held with my officials in which many problems with the practical working of the Bill were identified. I am impressed by the determination with which they have set about the difficult and frustrating task of curing them. However, as I have said today as clearly as I can, there is, alas, still a long way to go. However, I am sure that the curative process could be completed well in time for the Government Bill in the autumn and, I hope, for the publication of the Government's draft Bill before the summer recess, although there are only a few more weeks for that.
          Mr. Alton: The Minister has tried to convince the House that we should have a touching regard for the Government's superior ability to introduce legislation on complex issues such as Sunday trading, which mere Back Benchers cannot possibly understand. On the day after the Government—indeed, the Minister's own Department— came to the House to tell us that they got the Criminal Justice Bill wrong and they could not understand issues such as unitary fines and access to previous records, and leaving aside the community charge or compulsory testing, the Minister will forgive us for saying that his great confidence in the Government's superiority over Back Benchers is misplaced.
          Mr. Michael Lord: Does the hon. Gentleman share my wish that the Government's proposals will include not only proposals in law but explanations? Bearing in mind the stated views of the Home Secretary, which I suspect that the Minister of State
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          shares, and the views of the former Minister, the right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold), there is clearly a great weight of opinion at the top of the Conservative party in favour of total deregulation. Does the hon. Gentleman share my anxiety that the explanations may be weighted the wrong way? Perhaps we ought to consider that carefully.
          Mr. Alton: On this occasion, as on many occasions in the Committee, I am happy to be associated with the sentiments expressed by the hon. Gentleman. He has put them succinctly today. I am also worried about the motives of those within the Department who will present both the explanatory memoranda and the Bill.
          The House will perhaps forgive me if I recall for a moment the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. It was mentioned in the context of this Bill during an earlier intervention. Three choices were laid before the House, as they have been in new clause 14. I shall not detain the House long on this point, but, as a result of the confusion that arose, we ended up with legislation which allows abortion up to birth on the handicapped. I do not believe that it was ever the intention of the House to allow that. But that is what happens when legislation is drafted and choices are offered in this manner. People become confused.
          So I hope that people will not be gulled into believing that the Government can introduce proposals that will have great clarity, but Back Benchers cannot. After all, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and many other Acts are the Government's legislation, not ours.
          11.45 am
          Rev. Ian Paisley: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that after listening to the Minister today, people will have grave concern that he could not give an unequivocal declaration that those who would have to work on Sunday and refused to do so would be protected? He failed to give such a declaration today.
          Mr. Alton: Indeed, he did. The right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden also failed to deal with that. Conservative Members talk, as she did, about choice. They say that choice is the most important thing. They elevate the idea of choice to an ideology or philosophy. Yet they fail to understand that for many people there is no choice when economic pressures are placed on them to work on Sundays. Such workers will often be women. We have heard people suggest that those of us who take a different view are misogynists. What nonsense. Many women want to be protected from having to work on Sunday and from exploitation by commercial pressures. What choice will there be for employees who want to operate their conscience if their employer says that they will either work on Sunday or lose their job? Those people will be forced to work on Sundays and we know it.
          The Minister also said that it would be impossible under the terms of the Bill to deal with enforcement. There is no way in which that can be true. Local authorities up and down the land are capable of enforcement on a range of issues. I was deputy leader of the city council for some years and a member of the council for eight years. Enforcement is a day-to-day part of the work of local authorities. They will be able to enforce the legislation, just as they enforce many other requirements.

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          The Minister said that it would not be possible to go back and see what went on before. That is precisely what happens in cases of tax evasion every day of the week. Of course the Inland Revenue does not know that an offence is being committed at that moment. But it finds out about it and prosecutes subsequently. So the Minister's argument is ludicrous.
          Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The Minister's argument is perfectly absurd. The Health and Safety Executive does not examine every factory, but it expects that spot checks will work. They could work equally well for the Bill.
          Mr. Roy Thomason: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Alton: I cannot give way until I have dealt with the first intervention. The Minister was sparing in taking interventions. He took only two—one from the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman and the other at the end of his remarks. That gave the game away. The Government do not want to have an open and free debate in the House today or at any other time because they know what they want—total deregulation. That is the agenda. They will try to push it through. If they cannot do it by fair means, they will do it by foul. If they can load the three options placed before the House, they will do it in that way. The Minister is grinning because he knows that that is true. He knows that if the Government can load the options, they will succeed. By chicanery and trickery, they will put their agenda through.
          New clause 14 gives us a chance to deal with the three options. I hope that we will take it.
          Mr. Dykes: What is the point of the Government indulging in such antics? They know full well that they cannot get full deregulation through the House.
          Mr. Alton: Absolutely. The only time that the Government were defeated in the 13 years up to the last general election was on this issue. A coalition of Members from across the House said that they wished to keep Sunday as a special day. That is what the House of Commons decided to do. Will the Government accept that verdict? No. They have come back time and again, as have Members such as the right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden, and tabled amendments. They have tabled 135 amendments and 13 new clauses; 99 of the amendments and new clauses are in the name of the right hon. Lady. She is a former Minister in the Home Office. She had the chance to legislate.
          The Government were not prepared to accept the will of the House and they never will be. That is why they do not deserve our trust today and why we should proceed with the vote which I hope you will allow, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in due course so that we can determine the issues and they are not determined by people of whose motives we should be deeply suspicious.
          Mr. Thomason: The hon. Gentleman alleged that it would be easy for local authorities to enforce the legislation encapsulated in the Bill. Does he agree that the Bill requires local government officers to investigate the books of those businesses that they want to open on Sunday in order to establish the 80:20 rule? The Bill does not specify, however, which books of which year should be under inspection. A degree of accountancy expertise would
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          be required by the inspectors expected to enforce the legislation—expertise which is beyond their normal job specification. Although many of us may not object to the principles underlying the Bill, their practical enforcement would be almost impossible.
          Mr. Alton: It will not be impossible. The 80:20 rule is clear. Shops will be able to show from their accounts of a previous year their precise trading figures. Any trading standards officer worth his salt will have no difficulty with that. The common sense of the courts will also be at play and vicarious prosecutions will not be brought purely on the basis of malice against some small shopkeeper.
          At present, there are clear abuses, day by day, of the Shops Act 1950, but the Government have encouraged local authorities to turn a blind eye to the law breakers. How can hon. Members claim to be concerned about the epidemic of crime, or the standards and values of our young people when they break the law, when we are prepared to condone the breaking of a law when it is done by people for the sole reason of mercenary, monetary interest? They make huge sums of money from being able to keep their shops open.
          Mr. Bob Cryer: The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we cannot trust the Government, because we have already had experience of what Government promises on employee rights mean not only for Sunday work, but weekday work. The Government claimed that if betting shops were open in the evening it would make no difference to the terms and conditions of the employees, if they chose not to work at night.
          William Hill has now presented its employees with a contract that covers evening work. If any employee refuses to sign it—most of them are women—he or she will simply be sacked. Two people with more than 30 years of experience between them were given the alternative of signing that new contract or going down the road in search of a job. The Government have refused to take any action in that case.
          Mr. Alton: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for bringing that to the attention of the House, because that is why those on the Front Bench must not be lured into voting for new clause 14.
          Mr. Peter Lloyd rose—
          Mr. Alton: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, who was not prepared to give way himself, in a moment. No guarantees have been given on employment protection and until there are, how anyone can vote for the Government's proposals, even if he is in favour of Sunday trading, I do not know.
          Mr. Peter Lloyd: Any employee whose contract is unilaterally changed by his employer and who is dismissed if he does not agree to that contract, is dismissed unfairly. There is a remedy at law, which is exactly the same for any other employee who is treated unfairly.
          Mr. Alton: I am grateful for that intervention, which enables me to refer to a letter sent to me in April from the chief executive of Budgens in which he dealt specifically with the employment implications of the Bill. He stated:
          "As a multiple grocer with 98 stores, Budgens plc has been one of the pioneers of Sunday Trading."
          In other words, it has broken the law and is on the Minister's side. He went on:

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          "On balance, we have experienced an increase in sales of 10 per cent."
          It has been doing well and making money.
          "We understand that other large food retailer multiples have similar experiences.
          The issue of Sunday Trading is not important to Budgens as such. Our commercial losses and gains are about equal. But, for the following reasons we believe only food stores with less than 3,000 sq. ft. sales area should be allowed to trade on Sundays:
          Approximately £5 billion of market share at today's prices will shift towards the multiple food chains. This potentially represents a net loss of employment of 44,000–50,000 people due to the labour cost differential…as a result of much higher labour productivity in large food stores/superstores.
          This is likely to cost the nation between £400–500 million in unemployment support. Social, criminal and economic problems associated with unemployment are widespread."
          That is what Budgens, an ally of the Government, thinks about the Bill. That letter makes the point about the potential loss of jobs, to which the Minister also referred, very well. Added to that will be the many people who will be forced to work on Sunday who currently do not.
          Mr. Alfred Morris: The hon. Gentleman has been extremely generous in giving way. He has speculated about the viewpoint of the Minister of State, as have others on both sides of the House. Is not this debate the best opportunity for the Minister to say exactly where he stands? He has addressed the House, but should not he tell us, if only by intervention, exactly where he stands on the three options?
          Mr. Alton: The right hon. Gentleman asked me to give way and I will happily give way to the Minister if, in due course, he wants to intervene to make that point.
          Mrs. Wise: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Mr. Alton: I shall do so in a moment, but I should make progress, consider the three options and explain my position on them.
          We have the chance to sort things out with new clause 14. The first of the options, to which the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) referred, is total deregulation. I hope that the House will vote against that, as it has in the past. If we were to give the Secretary of State total power to decide which shops should or should not open on a Sunday, far too much responsibility would be passed into the hands of someone whose motives are only too well known.
          The second option is that of the SHRC, which is deregulation by the back door. It proposes that all shops under 3,000 sq. ft. should be able to open at any hour on a Sunday, regardless of the goods sold, and that large shops exceeding that size must notify the local authority of which six hours they wish to open out of a specified eight-hour period. The SHRC proposals effectively provide for total deregulation. They do not offer effective employment protection, enforceable in tribunals. According to the latest statement from the Minister and his colleagues, the only employment protection to be offered in the Government Bill is for existing employees. Until we obtain clarification on that, I do not see how anyone who cares about employment protection could possibly vote for the SHRC proposal.
          No employment protection is offered for workers in shops in Scotland, as there is in the Bill offered by the hon.
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          Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell), which represents the third option. To achieve the third option it is therefore necessary to vote against new clause 14, if we get to that vote. I should like to explain why the House should vote accordingly.
          The Bill received its Second Reading with a majority of 173. It is also worth noting that 257 hon. Members have now signed the early-day motion before the House, so there is clearly a majority view that Parliament should do something along the lines of the Keep Sunday Special campaign proposals. Those proposals have been pragmatically amended in Committee, in line with what the hon. Member for Ogmore promised the House on Second Reading.
          In Committee, more than 200 amendments were given detailed consideration. The Bill was amended in a number of important respects, including allowing DIY stores to open on a Sunday and garden centres to sell their full range of goods. It provides for a wide variety of shops to be open —a total of 26 categories, which are up to 3,000 sq ft in size. Anyone who suggests that the hon. Member for Ogmore has been inflexible or unreasonable entirely misses the point. Many of us would argue that he has gone too far, but we recognise that the Bill needs to command the widest possible support and I believe that the hon. Gentleman has gone a long way to achieving that.
          The Bill will not allow Sunday to become a free-for-all. When my hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) was speaking on the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Bill earlier, someone questioned his motives for doing so. I am not sure what those motives were, but he referred to Corky the cockerel. I should like to refer to another bird, the kingfisher. That bird is found on the headed notepaper of many large stores that are members of the Kingfisher Group, one of which is Woolworths.
          A woman came to my surgery on Saturday last to complain about the Woolworths store in the Allerton road area of Liverpool, which I have mentioned in the House before. It chooses to break the law and is currently open on a Sunday. That causes congestion in the small terraced street in which that woman lives. During the week, she works with mentally handicapped people and she told me that she will soon develop mental illness because of the noise, rowdiness and comings and goings on the street on the one day when she expects to be able to build up her energy to face her demanding job in the next six days.
          This week I have written to the Woolworths store and the Kingfisher group to ask them to comply with the law. The Bill and new clause 14 gives us the chance to sort the matter out and ensure that people living in such areas do not have their Sundays disrupted and that Sunday remains a special day. That is why the House should vote against deregulation, against the Shopping Hours Reform Council proposals and against the new clause, and leave the Bill intact.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          12 noon
          Mr. Alton: No, I am about to conclude my speech—I have spoken at length. I have been generous in giving way and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be able to speak later in the debate.
          The Minister said that the Government were not prepared to provide time for the Bill, which is to their

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          discredit. The status of Back Benchers in this place is constantly being reduced. It seems that the only things that we can deal with are tethering ponies and other obscure issues, and the House of Commons cannot decide on an issue such as Sunday trading—which the Government have conceded should be on a free vote. Why do not the Government provide the time for the Bill, which has completed its Second Reading and Committee stage, and which will have completed much of its Report stage today?
          Here is an opportunity for the official Opposition, who are also given time in the House. Regardless of whether they are for or against the Bill, I hope that they will allow the Bill to make further progress by considering the use of Opposition time—an Opposition day. We could also consider using minority party time, although there is precious little of it. If the Government are not prepared to honour the intentions behind the Bill and the overriding view of the majority of hon. Members that it should make progress, we shall ensure that Back Benchers' rights are upheld. Other parties in the House must achieve what the Government have so lamentably failed to do.
          Mr. Cormack: I am delighted to follow the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton), who made a passionate appeal and a sensible speech. I appreciated the fact that my hon. Friend the Minister gave way to me, but I could not understand what he was getting at. It is not as if the arguments have not been well rehearsed—even over-rehearsed. It has been made abundantly clear, from the vote on Second Reading, the early-day motion signed by—I think—257 hon. Members and in so many other ways, that the manifest will of the majority of hon. Members is to amend the law on Sunday trading, but not to have total deregulation.
          One talks about the dog that barked in the night—or did not. I was surprised and disappointed that my hon. Friend the Minister did not intervene when he was given the opportunity to do so and was challenged to give his personal views on Sunday trading. I suspect that today we are debating, not the Bill's Report stage, which was so well orchestrated by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell), but the Government's hidden agenda—total deregulation.
          My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary, with his characteristically robust bravado, has made it clear that he supports total deregulation. He is fully entitled to that view. It also seems that my hon. Friend the Minister of State has a similar view—I should be delighted to be corrected. It is apparent that my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Mordan (Dame A. Rumbold)—who, as a previous Minister with responsibility for the subject, has to display a certain agnosticism —is also very much in favour of total deregulation. She is fully entitled to those views.
          From time to time, all of us, whatever views we embrace, find ourselves in a minority. It is not the job or prerogative of the Government at any time or in any place to usurp the manifest will of the majority, which is what is happening.
          Dame Anglea Rumbold: It is a dangerous practice to assume that one knows the way in which one's colleagues are likely to vote. My hon. Friend is not entirely correct in his assumptions about my personal choice.
          Mr. Cormack: If I am wrong, I am delighted. If my right hon. Friend, for whom I have a high regard, does not believe in total deregulation, but in something along the lines of the Bill, that is fine.
          We had a full debate on Second Reading. The hon. Member for Ogmore showed exemplary flexibility in Committee and accepted amendments. I am sorry that I could not serve on the Standing Committee which was, by all accounts, a good Committee. My right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden said that it was a good Committee. Issues were debated at length and amendments were made. In a true non-partisan spirit, the hon. Member for Ogmore has made it absolutely plain that if the Bill leaves this House for another place, he does not expect it to return unaltered. Time and again, he has made it plain that he is happy to sit down with Ministers to discuss refinements and improvements. The Government do not have a prerogative on perfection in legislation. We only have to recall the events of less than 24 hours ago to be aware of that.
          What is the obstacle? In another place, there are many Members on both sides of the House and on the Cross Benches with enormous experience who can contribute to the Bill. I am not talking about the Bench of Bishops; my views do not stem from a sabbatarian stance—far from it. I do not want, and never have wanted, a high street Sunday. I do not want Saturday to be replicated. [HON. MEMBERS: "Stay away."] My hon. Friends tell me to stay away. In doing so, they show a total misunderstanding of what I am trying to say.
          As the hon. Member for Mossley Hill made clear when he quoted the letter from his constituent, if there is a high street Sunday that replicates Saturday, one cannot stop the world and get off. If one lives in the heart of a city or town, one is stuck there, and surrounded and enveloped by the activity. I remember a Good Friday in Wolverhampton soon after I moved to the midlands nearly 25 years ago. I was so astounded by the frenetic commercial activity, which was so different from the atmosphere in my native Lincolnshire, that I rammed my car into the one in front —it was a costly Good Friday. A high street Sunday would result in many such incidents.
          Today we have been given an opportunity—in-geniously devised by the hon. Member for Ogmore, assisted by the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett)—to exercise choice. The House can pronouce on the three choices—total deregulation and the two forms of amendment. The hon. Member for Mossley Hill, with his characteristic skill, took us through the details of the choice; I shall not attempt to repeat what he said, as it would be superfluous to do so.
          We have a choice. There is no problem about hon. Members not knowing about today's business. Of course, it is commonly understood that one does not know the nature of specific amendments until close to the day on which they are to be debated. We constantly live our lives in ignorance of what is to happen in the week ahead. We do not know the business for the following week until the previous Thursday and many of us have to adjust our timetables accordingly. But that does not apply to Fridays. We have known for a very long time that this day would be largely devoted to the issue of Sunday trading, and we have known for a few days that this crucial new clause existed. There is no reason, therefore, why the Lobbies

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          should not be full at 2.30 pm or thereabouts. I believe that it would be wrong of the Government to insist on frustrating the will of the House—
          Mr. Fabricant: Nonsense.
          Mr. Cormack: It is not nonsense. My hon. Friend, who is a near neighbour of mine, is an expert on the subject of nonsense. We know what the subject before us is—
          Mr. Fabricant rose—
          Mr. Cormack: My hon. Friend served on the Committee, and if he will just contain himself for a moment I will point out to him that no Member of the House, present or absent, has any excuse for not knowing the business today.
          Mr. Fabricant: I thank my near neighbour for giving way. I said "nonsense" because we have known for only three days that there was to be a choice between these three areas. I also said it because my hon. Friend claimed that the Lobbies could be full. There are 651 Members of Parliament. Does my hon. Friend seriously claim that they will all be in the Lobbies? I think not.
          Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman has repeatedly intervened on this and related subjects this morning. I hope that he will not do that any more.
          Mr. Cormack: Every Member knows the business of the House for the day and makes his or her choice accordingly. As to the nature of the amendments, hon. Members can look at the amendment paper and see what amendments are being tabled—and they can adjust their diaries, if they feel it necessary to do so.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: I hesitate to intervene on this fraternal strife, but the hon. Gentleman has said that it would be superfluous to go through the alternative procedures when we come to vote. But surely those procedures are an incomprehensible dog's breakfast? If hon. Members want to secure what I take it the hon. Gentleman himself wants—restricted Sunday trading—they must vote against the new clause moved by the promoter of the Bill, who may have to vote against it himself. What sense is there in that?
          Mr. Cormack: As I said when I paid the hon. Member for Ogmore a compliment, he is adopting an ingenious procedure, in response to requests from various parts of the House. He is doing it to tell the Government that they do not need to waste their time with the three options, because the House can pronounce on them this Friday.
          Mrs. Ann Winterton: Will my hon. Friend give way?
          Mr. Cormack: I am sorry, but I must get on. I promised to be brief, and I have already gone on for far too long —[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—because I have given way to those who have intervened.
          The Government are always saying that they need more time to get their legislation right. Here is a marvellous opportunity for them to allow a subject to be dealt with in a private Member's Bill. To claim that the subject is too complicated is an insult to the House. One has only to look at many of the issues that have been decided in the past by
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          private Members' Bills—the abolition of the death penalty, the creation of conservation areas—to recognise that matters of great moment and of fundamental importance to many people have frequently been decided in this way.
          12.15 pm
          Hon. Members have referred to workers' rights. I wholly accept the Government's wish for proper protection in legislation for workers, but if we move towards total deregulation it will he increasingly difficult to maintain that stance. Only the other day, I was told by a member of Her Majesty's Government, whose driver's wife works in a branch of Sainsbury, that, in spite of Sainsbury's frequently proclaimed assertion that it does not wish to interfere with the freedom of conscience of its workers, the women had come under intolerable pressure —so much so that it had been acknowledged in a letter from the company's head or regional office.
          This would happen increasingly, and over time it would have the inevitable consequence of cutting away the very foundations on which the village and corner shop economy is built. We would be destroying an element of the very choice in which we frequently proclaim we believe, to the disadvantage of our constituents, whether they live in villages or in small streets served by the corner shop. Total deregulation would spell the slow decline and death of most of these shops.
          Hon. Members have mentioned the lawbreakers. One of the reasons why I regret the Government's refusal to allow the Bill to proceed is the fact—the Minister acknowledged his own unease on this score—that so many people are breaking the law. All over the country, large stores are opening in flagrant violation of the law. It is no excuse to blame local authorities. We have not heard from the Dispatch Box the ringing denunciation of this lawbreaking that we should have heard. It is inexcusable and it creates perverse double standards for those who talk of law and order and the need to enforce them.
          If for no other reason than that, I ask the Minister to think again and allow the Bill to go to another place to be further improved. My hon. Friend can play a part in improving it, so that we can have something on the statute book well before next Christmas, thereby doing something positive and definite to stop a pernicious kind of lawbreaking.
          Ms Janet Anderson: I wish to commend new clause 10 to the House. The Report stage of a private Member's Bill is the last place to be holding a debate such as this, on new clause 14. It is much more a Second Reading matter as it goes to the heart of the Bill.
          New clause 10 is a genuine attempt to amend the Bill, and is much more in keeping with it. It does not go as far as new clause 14, but it would introduce a welcome element of flexibility by allowing more classes of shop to register under clause 3 and by altering some of the current requirements that might, in the fullness of time, seem unnecessary or irrelevant.
          If the sponsers of the Bill were forced to translate the long title into plain English, they would probably say, "This is a Bill that closes shops on Sundays, unless they sell goods or services that contribute to recreation, emergencies, social gatherings or travel"—the REST proposals—"and provides protection for Sunday shop workers." Most of us agree about the necessity for that protection.

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          That is not quite the approach that the Bill takes in practice. No doubt for good legal reasons, the sponsors of the Bill have not tried to insert into law tests based on whether shops satisfy the REST proposals. Instead, they have set out all the goods and types of shop which they think meet the various REST proposals. That presents a problem. Because the REST proposals are not defined in a detailed way, it is hard to see how some shops have been fitted into them but others rejected. For example, DIY shops are recreational, but second-hand book shops are not. I endorse the view of my hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Ms Mowlam), as set out in the article in The Independent yesterday to which reference has already been made. She said:
          "Given the number of men on the committee (18 out of 21) it was perhaps predictable that various exceptions have been proposed to the general ban on Sunday shopping. 'Boys' shops' such as DIY stores and motor spares shops will be allowed to open; supermarkets and the clothes shops that women want will not. It appears that a woman's place is in the home, at least on Sundays, while a man's is out at the shops, down the pub. up a ladder or under a car. Is it not also a case of double standards for many male MPs to favour more Sunday sporting events but not more Sunday shopping?"
          It is essential that the law, if it is not to be brought into disrepute, keeps up to date with what people want, and remains enforceable. New clause 10 gives the Secretary of State power to add new classes of shop to the Bill. It will allow the Government of the day to remedy any oversights that we have not picked up. Without it, it is entirely possible that we shall face a whole new set of private Members' Bill adjusting this one as oversights are remedied.
          It is possible that the Bill will have unexpected loopholes. We know that the Shops Act 1950 has brought a great deal of income to lawyers down the years, as they have pored over it looking for new ways to stretch its meaning. Almost by definition, we would not expect to discover loopholes today, or we would have closed them. If the Bill contains loopholes—it would be a brave Member of Parliament who declared any but the most simple legislative measure free of such loopholes—the new clause gives the Government of the day the power to close them.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: I raised this point earlier, but I did not get a satisfactory answer. The sale of wet fish, which is covered by the 1950 Act, is important to Grimsby. Is new clause 10 the way to allow what I want to be allowed—the sale of wet fish on Sundays?
          Ms Anderson: I agree with my hon. Friend. As he has said, with all the amendments, concessions and compromises, the Bill has become something of a dog's breakfast. Those of us who support the SHRC proposals, are constantly misrepresented as being in favour of deregulation, but we are not. We are in favour of legislation based on size of outlet rather than on type of goods sold. Any Bill based on the latter is bound to be anomalous, as my hon. Friend has rightly said.
          Mr. Thomason: Does the hon. Lady agree thai it is a strange anomaly that, under new clause 14, spare parts for motor vehicles can be sold, but motor vehicles themselves cannot be?
          Ms Anderson: That is a good example of the mess that the Bill has become.
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          One of the most obvious problems of the Shops Act 1950 is that it has failed to keep up not just with changes to retailing but with changes of life style in our wider society. The Act was already pretty outdated when it came into being. It was largely a consolidating measure and much of it can be dated back as far as 1936. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that it cannot cope with the huge changes in the way that we work and shop. In 1950, 26 per cent. of married women worked. Now, 61 per cent. work, even though they are still largely responsible for the shopping. I speak as a working mother who is still largely responsible for the shopping. That is not to say that my husband is not willing to do the shopping. He is, but he generally gets it wrong.
          Mr. Stern: As one who has overcome that barrier, may I recommend a course of action to the hon. Lady? If she allows him enough practice, he will eventually get it right.
          Ms Anderson: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that advice.
          DIY shops, video shops, garden centres and out-of-town shopping developments did not exist in 1950. Shop workers were largely full-time workers; now they are largely part-time workers. Whether we like it or not, religious observance by Christians has declined, while that by Muslims, whose holy day has no legal recognition, has increased.
          Mr. Fabricant: Does the hon. Lady agree that in Scotland, where there are no Sunday trading restrictions, more people attend church on Sundays than is the case in England, where there are Sunday trading restrictions?
          Ms Anderson: The hon. Gentleman is right. Attendance at places of worship on Sunday in Scotland is higher than it is in England and Wales, and shops there have been allowed to open for many years.
          The new clause, as the right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold) said earlier, is an attempt to give the Bill what engineers would call future-proofing. If whole new sectors of shopping come into being, the Bill can be amended by statutory instrument to take account of those changes.
          Perhaps most importantly, the new clause will allow the law to be changed when there is public demand for change, without Parliament having to go through the difficult and time-consuming process of introducing new legislation. The sponsors of the Bill might be a little suspicious of that argument, although they claim to have public opinion on their side, but the actions in recent months of hon. Members on both sides of the House who support the Bill make the case for incorporating the new clause, as my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) showed when he predicted that, if the Bill goes further, there will be more amendments to it.
          The main argument in the behind-the-scenes lobbying that has gone on in the corridors, tea rooms and bars in recent weeks is that the Bill is now a compromise and has caught up with the overwhelming public desire to open DIY stores. At one level, that shows a welcome flexibility by my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore and his colleagues, but it also confirms that, even in a short time, views about what should or should not be opened can be changed. Think how much could change in 43 years if we had to wait that long before the House got to grips with Sunday trading again.

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          My hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mrs. Wise) will be putting the views of USDAW at great length later if she catches your eye, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I shall take the opportunity to place on the record the position of the Transport and General Workers Union and GMB. The TGWU recommended that the Bill be opposed on Second Reading because of fears that it would be too restrictive. It is now carrying out an extensive consultation with its membership to get a clear and comprehensive picture of views on working on Sunday. The union expects that its position will be resolved at this summer's biennial conference.
          The GMB has said that it accepts that public pressure for Sunday trading will result in a change in law. Its aim is to protect its members by supporting a limit on the number of hours that shops can open on any day of the week. No worker should be forced to work on Sundays and a refusal to work should not lead to a setback in the worker's prospects. Premium payments should be made in recognition of the special nature of Sunday working.
          Mr. Jim Dowd: My hon. Friend may not know that the position of my union, Manufacturing, Science and Finance, has recently been declared identical with that of the two unions that she mentioned. It has been decided that, as long as provision is made for adequate worker protection—whether by statute or through traditional trade union channels—MSF agrees broadly with the position of the other two unions. It has also been decided that, unless such provision is enshrined in primary legislation, no majority for any other measures will be possible in the House. I have a good deal of experience of such matters, having worked regularly on Sundays before I became a Member of Parliament—that is, when I had a proper job.
          Ms Anderson: I thank my hon. Friend for that helpful intervention; my position is the same.
          Several of our major trade union colleagues have recognised that flexibility is needed, and that whatever legislation is presented should not he too restrictive. That is the aim of new clause 10, and I commend it to the House.
          12.30 pm
          Mr. Lord: As almost everything has been said already, I shall try to be brief.
          I was disappointed by the Minister's speech, which I did not consider particularly helpful. I thought it rather patronising, which was surprising in his case; I also thought that, in view of all the effort that has gone into the Bill, his approach was very negative. We have been considering this subject since 1986, and it really is time that we got on with it. The Home Secretary's speech yesterday suggested a fresh attitude—a new willingness to accept reality and make progress. That was not true of the Minister's contribution. Moreover, it seemed to reveal his own views—although they have not yet been confirmed; it will be interesting to find out what they are in the end. It is taking time to tease out hon. Members' views.
          It is difficult for me to talk about my right hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold) when she is not in the Chamber, but I have talked to her more than once about the problems of the legislation. At the time, she gave the impression that she
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          was relatively unbiased, and was trying to find the best possible solution. Now she seems to be one of those most rabidly in favour of deregulation. When challenged by my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South (Mr. Cormack), she said that that was not the case, and implied that she might not favour complete deregulation—which, surely, must mean that she favours some kind of regulation. If so, I welcome her attitude, but I hope that the i's will be dotted and the t's crossed in due course.
          Mr. Peter Lloyd: I have been pressed several times to give my view. I did not want to take up the House's time with something that is irrelevant to the Bill and the House's decision on it; let me say, however, that—as many of my hon. Friends know, along with all my constituents who have written to me on the subject—Scotland, in my view, has the best arrangement. That is none the less subordinate to my overriding objective of securing effective, enforceable legislation that reflects the considered view of Parliament. I do not believe that this Bill will do that, which is why I made the speech that I made. However, it will be for the House to decide, on a free vote.
          Mr. Lord: I understand the Minister's position: he is in favour of total deregulation. That, basically, is the decision that the House will have to make, however we wrap it up. Either we want total deregulation, and are prepared to risk Sunday's becoming just another day of the week, or we must accept that the House has a responsibility to produce some kind of legislation—however difficult it may be—to preserve Sunday as it has been preserved over the years by our forefathers, who were perhaps much wiser in this regard than we seem to be now.
          In a sense, new clause 14 sums up the issue. Others have already spoken, so I shall not go into much detail; but it seems to me that either we want to keep Sunday special a stance that is addressed by the Bill—or we want deregulation. The alternatives involved in deregulation are total deregulation—that is the honest description, and the Minister has been honest—and partial deregulation. I believe that both would result in total deregulation, one way or the other. One alternative makes no bones about it, suggesting that we should clear the decks without troubling to work out the complications; the other would allow all shops measuring less than 3,000 sq ft to open on Sundays, and others for six hours a day.
          This Chamber measures approximately 3,000 sq ft. The provision encompasses the vast majority of shops in the country. Under partial deregulation, such shops will be able to open on Sundays regardless of what they sell, while all shops—regardless of size—will be able to open for six hours. Six hours is not far short of a complete trading day. Technically, it is two hours short of a complete trading day, but how long will it be before trading is extended to eight hours a day?
          The fact that all shops of the size of the House of Commons would be able to open and that all shops, regardless of size, would be able to open for six hours on a Sunday really means that partial deregulation will result in total deregulation. The two options are not, therefore, what they seem to be. Either we vote for the Bill of the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) or we vote for deregulation in one form or another.
          Dr. Liam Fox: Does my hon. Friend accept that all hon. Members know the business of the House and have a duty to be here, if they think that it is important to be here?

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          None the less, a clearer view of the will of the House would be achieved under the proposals outlined by the Minister this morning. We should then have all the summer to consider the proposals and then take a vote, with more Members being aware by the autumn of what they are.
          Mr. Lord: I disagree entirely with my hon. Friend. Any hon. Member who is interested in a subject as important as this could have been here today. I accept that a small minority have engagements that it would have been impossible for them to cancel, but all of us have to be fairly light on our feet in the House of Commons and able to respond, often within hours, to various issues. Most hon. Members could have made time to be here and should have been here.
          My hon. Friend also referred to the Government's proposals. The Minister told us this morning that the Government do not intend just to introduce legal proposals; there will be explanations of the effect of those proposals. I do not wish to impugn the Government's motives, but when one moves to explanations rather than pure facts there is always room for manoeuvre, depending upon the individual's point of view. We have had a lot of time to think about this issue.
          By and large, hon. Members have made up their minds about the matter. If they have not made up their minds about it by now, they jolly well ought to have done. There has been ample opportunity to go into it in great detail. By now, therefore, they should have decided what their constituents want and what they believe they want on behalf of their constituents.
          In Committee, we also dealt comprehensively with the issue of Sunday opening before Christmas. It was suggested that all shops should be allowed to open on the four Sundays before Christmas. This was regarded by the majority of the Committee as a matter of principle. where there was no room for negotiation. The Committee decided that there was room for movement on other aspects, but on the issue of shops opening on the four Sundays before Christmas it felt that it could not budge. It is a Christian holiday. Like my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South, I am not sabbatarian about the matter, but it is an important one. It is interesting that my hon. Friend also mentioned Good Friday. It is a long time since we all had a holiday on Good Friday. It is also interesting that we are thinking of introducing a new national holiday and inventing a name for it. But we once had a name for a bank holiday, and that name was Good Friday. Sadly, Good Friday now means business as usual.
          If we want to accommodate the extra shopping that is done before Christmas, there is a simple way of accommodating it; by allowing shops to open later in the evening from Monday to Saturday. There is no reason why that should not be allowed. In that way, it would be possible to accommodate the extra shopping required in the weeks before Christmas.
          Even though life is hectic and busy for shops in the weeks before Christmas—they want their tills to ring and to make as much money as they can—we must remember that life is also hectic for those who work in shops. They are just as entitled to have their Sundays protected and preserved in the run-up to a Christian holiday as they are at other times of the year.
          If there is talk about opening on four Sundays before Christmas, why not make it six Sundays, or 10 Sundays?
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          What not open on Sundays during the January sales, or in the run-up to Easter or in midsummer? Once the principle is breached, there is no knowing where it might lead.
          Mr. Alton: The hon. Gentleman has rightly referred to the position of shop workers. Is he aware that if they were to resort to the employment tribunals that were mentioned by the Minister in his speech, the prospects of their being reinstated would be pretty bleak? The figures show that only 1 per cent. of all those who go to a tribunal are reinstated, that only 10 per cent. are able successfully to fight their cases in tribunals and that they receive, on average, £1,700 in compensation. In other words, for 99 per cent. of shop workers, there will be no chance of reinstatement and for 90 per cent. of them there will be no compensation.
          Mr. Lord: I agree very much with the hon. Gentleman. This is a minefield. Whatever is written in contracts and whatever assurances are given, pressure builds up and it is easier for someone who wants to keep their job to acquiesce and to accept that pressure. Hon. Members will never hear of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been pressurised into doing something that they do not want to do because they do not want to complain or permanently to damage the atmosphere of their workplace.
          It is often said that this matter is complicated and that, in trying to draft legislation we are almost certain to get it wrong—if only slightly. I accept that it is extremely difficult to make such legislation watertight, but is that any reason for taking the easy way out and abandoning all legislation, because that is what is being urged on us? I am sure that it is not. If we believe that Sunday should be a special day, surely it is worth getting our intelligent and highly paid civil servants to redraft the law so that it fits what we want to do to preserve Sunday.
          That, in effect, is what the hon. Member for Ogmore has done under this private Member's Bill and my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South referred to huge changes in our life that have been made by private Member's Bills. An enormous amount of effort has gone into the Bill, and I believe that it is the will of the House —with the exception, perhaps, of the Government Front Bench—to preserve our Sundays. Here is the vehicle to do it and we must not waste the opportunity.
          Supporters of the Bill are not narrow minded. We are anxious to protect and preserve what is good in our national life. There is so much upheaval now in our country on every possible front. Surely we should fight for stability and to keep in place what we have had for such a long time.
          Mr. Fabricant: Will my hon. Friend give way?
          Mr. Lord: No, I am not giving way any more—
          Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Janet Fookes): Order. I do not want unduly to curb the hon. Gentleman, but he is now making a more general speech suitable to, say, a Second Reading debate rather than to the two new clauses under consideration.
          Mr. Lord: I appreciate that, and I apologise if I have strayed slightly from the straight and narrow.
          To most people, Sunday still is an oasis in this hectic life of ours, and future generations will never forgive us if we let our Sunday go.
          Mrs. Wise: We heard how anxious the Minister was that the House should have a chance to compare and contrast several fully worked-out choices. That is a novel doctrine of legislation and I wonder whether he intends to extend it to other controversial issues. For instance, will we have several fully worked-out choices on the future of British Rail—a matter which is equally controversial and over which the controversy crosses the Floor? I suspect not. The Minister's expression tells me all. That shows that the Minister is talking now about comparing and contrasting because the Government have no confidence in getting through the House the measures that they want.
          My hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) has been generous to the opponents of the Bill in new clause 14. Despite my surprise and misgivings, I realise that that generosity is intended to benefit the whole House: hon. Members can debate the options to save the Government the trouble and the time of waiting until the autumn. I appreciate my hon. Friend's motives.
          Dr. Fox: Will the hon. Lady give way?
          Mrs. Wise: No. I have not intervened and I am conscious of the time.
          I am conscious of the fact that this new clause offers a succinct means of discussing the issues that are raised in all the other amendments. I trust that even the opponents of the Bill would agree that the amendments would not be necessary if the new clause were passed.
          12.45 pm
          The new clause allows the Shopping Hours Reform Council's proposals to be brought before the House and I shall examine something of what that means. First, there is the six hours of trading. We are told that our legislation is the slippery slope. We are asked, "Why not this sort of shop? Why not that sort of product?" Well, why not seven hours or 10 hours? The six-hour provision is certainly the top of a slippery slope, because there is no principle whatever behind it.
          The Bill rests on the desire of the House—and, I believe, of the country—not to have a high street Sunday. As the hon. Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) said, we do not want to replicate Saturday on a Sunday. That is the principle of the Bill, and the schedules and other devices are the means to carry it out. They have a perfectly logical basis.
          The Shopping Hours Reform Council's proposals on worker protection are interesting. We have heard from some hon. Members, including from the Opposition Front Bench, that there is common ground that there should be full worker protection. That is not so. It depends whom one considers to be workers. There are even amendments before us today to remove anyone engaged in any management task from all employee protection. In its unadulterated form, the Bill would protect all grades and types of employee, including managers. And why not? What is it about management staff in retailing that makes them neither need nor deserve support and protection? I speak now for my union and as the president of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers as well as the Member of Parliament for Preston. I make it clear that all grades and types of staff join trade unions because they realise that they need protection, and the House should realise that, too.
          The Shopping Hours Reform Council offers no protection for workers in Scotland, yet they need it even
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          more than workers in England, because there is more Sunday trading in Scotland. The Bill, as it emerged from Committee, extends employee protection to Scotland. Everybody who is genuinely in favour of employee protection should vote for the Bill on that ground if on no other. Certainly all Scottish Members with the interests of shop workers at heart should vote for it.
          The Shopping Hours Reform Council would not protect Sunday-only workers. That is deplorable, but, of course, it is part of the pattern of the results of deregulation and partial deregulation, which increase casualisation and increase the number of workers with no rights, no security and no status who work for peanuts. The fact that the Shopping Hours Reform Council would exclude those people from protection is typical. There would also be no guarantee of any protection for remuneration. The Bill enshrines the principle of double time on a Sunday and that provision went through Committee unanimously, without amendment. If members of the Committee were so worried about the Bill, why did not they table suitable amendments then? They accepted the provisions for employment protection and the Bill, unlike new clause 14, is specific about double time. In case anybody thinks that that is a daring and innovative idea, I must tell the House that double time in retailing on a Sunday was guaranteed in law until 1986. Nor was it removed from the law because of any pressure from employers or from the public. The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers continues to have agreements with various employers which still enshrine double time. Of course, there is some Sunday working in retailing even without Sunday trading. There is stocktaking and preparatory work to do and that is why agreements mention pay and protection on Sunday.
          What would happen if the deregulators got their way or if the Shopping Hours Reform Council got its way? Retailing is already a cut-throat business, so the main brunt of the competitive pressure would fall on the work force. That is why it is vital to have protection spelt out and vital not to have a high street Sunday which would even brush aside legal protection. I am not interested in lip service to worker protection. I am interested in real protection, in money, in the voluntary principle and in the protection of all grades of workers throughout the United Kingdom.
          My hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) talked about the Transport and General Workers Union and the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Workers Union. She says that they do not like the Bill and that they are consulting their members. It is a pity that they did not consult their members before they gave advice to hon. Members. We in USDAW have just had an annual delegate meeting with representatives of every branch of the union, which is by far the largest union in retailing, and it was solidly behind the Bill. We are the union which, above all others, organises shop workers. We understand retailing and we know what would happen with a high street Sunday.
          Mr. Fabricant: Will the hon. Lady give way?
          Mrs. Wise: No. The hon. Member has intervened repeatedly this morning and never to good account.
          Mr. Fabricant: I want to redeem myself.
          Mrs. Wise: The hon. Gentleman is beyond redemption.

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          My hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) was even more generous than my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore in tabling his amendment and I understand why perfectly. I will certainly protect his reputation.
          The deregulators do not even pay lip service to workers' protection; they are for "anything goes" and they welcome the Prime Minister's statement that the present law of the land is bizarre. It ill becomes Ministers to complain if local authorities find it difficult to enforce the law when they create such an atmosphere.
          I will not resist the Second Reading of the new clause, but I will certainly resist the amendment and I will certainly fiercely resist any suggestion that the new clause should stand part of the Bill, as should anybody who is interested in keeping Sunday special and who has any concern for women workers who overwhelmingly staff our shops. When some people in the House talk about women, they seem to have a blind spot for the women who work on the check-outs, who fill the shelves and who do not want to work on a Sunday, but who want proper pay and conditions for the other days of the week. Nobody can tell us that there is no time during the week, with 12-hour shopping days in many cases, to shop. Anybody who can organise his or her time properly can find time to shop.
          Mr. John Marshall: I listened with interest to the speech made by the hon. Member for Preston (Mrs. Wise), who said that, as president of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, she could confirm that USDAW was the largest union of shopworkers. What she did not tell the House was that nine shopworkers out of 10 choose not to be members of USDAW.
          We have been asked to state our interest in this debate. I can do so succinctly. I believe in the maximum freedom of choice. I also believe that the burden of bureaucratic intervention on industry and commerce should be reduced. Unfortunately, the Bill seeks to increase the level of bureaucratic intervention in commerce. Much more important, it seeks to deny freedom. My hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) said that his wife was quite capable of organising her week so that she did not have to shop on Sunday. Good for her. No one is asking her to shop on Sunday. But I do not believe that the fact that Mrs. Burns does not want to shop on Sunday is a reason why I should not shop on Sunday or a good reason for preventing supermarkets from opening on Sunday.
          We have listened this morning to some of the most arrant twaddle possible. We have heard the supermarkets described as the lawbreakers, as if every other retailer behaved legally on Sundays. I remind the House that 95 per cent. of shops that open on this coming Sunday will be trading illegally. It is not just the supermarkets that trade illegally: every corner shop that sells a can of baked beans, a packet of cod fish fingers—no doubt made in Grimsby—
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: Hear, hear.
          Mr. Marshall:—or even a packet of sugar, or that rents out a video is trading illegally. We are also talking about every DIY centre that sells Miss Rumbold some cement and every garden centre that is open this Sunday. It is quite wrong of hon. Members to say that they are fighting a battle against the lawbreakers. They are selective a s to the lawbreakers against whom they are fighting the battle and
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          they are ignoring the fact that the first shops to break the law on a Sunday were not the supermarket chains but small traders and that the supermarkets have merely caught up—
          Mrs. Ann Winterton: If I follow the hon. Gentleman's argument, he will welcome the fact that he has before him a Bill on which he can vote which will prevent the delay in a new law being enacted and enforced and will prevent the free-for-all before Christmas, which is such a disgrace to the Government whom I support, who purport to be the Government of law and order.
          Mr. Marshall: I do not welcome the Bill because it is bureaucratic. What is worse, it seems to embody an obsessive dislike of supermarkets, as if sin sat on the supermarket shelf.
          We should welcome the fact that we have one of the most efficient retailing industries in the world. I should like at this point to do something that I have not done since I became a Member of the House and pay tribute to the Father of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Sir. E. Heath). The Retail Prices Act 1964, which my right hon. Friend introduced, has enabled Britain to have such an efficient retailing system.
          Our supermarkets offer cheap prices and wide choice. The Bill would close them on Sundays. New clause 10 offers them a ray of hope. Some of the supporters of the Bill are the self-satisfied, the sanctimonious, the well paid and the well fed, who seek to make life less convenient and more expensive for my constituents.
          Mr. Alfred Morris: Clearly, the hon. Gentleman is a passionate supporter of Sunday working. Does his support extend to Sunday working by Members of Parliament? Would he advocate that the House of Commons should normally work on a Sunday?
          Mr. Marshall: Those of my constituents who know me well know that I frequently work in my constituency on Sunday morning, afternoon and evening. Many organisations will confirm that I am happy to attend meetings on Sundays if I am asked to do so.
          Mr. Dennis Skinner: The hon. Gentleman is making a rod for his own back.
          Mr. Marshall: I am not a part-timer like the hon. Gentleman, who suddenly appears at 12.30 pm on a Friday. He is such a part-timer that he refuses to serve on Standing Committees and lectures the rest of us on the fact that we do too much work.
          Mr. Skinner: As a matter of fact, I was on a Standing Committee only last week, so the hon. Gentleman is totally wrong. As for being a part-timer, I voted in 98 per cent. of the votes in the last Session of Parliament and in 96 per cent. of the votes in another Session. I wish that the hon. Gentleman would check his record, which is probably similar to the average for other hon. Members—about 50 per cent. He should not talk to me about being a part-timer when he is lining his pockets with other jobs.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) continues, I hope that we will return to the two clauses under consideration and that matters will not get too personal. It would not be unparliamentary to discuss personal matters, but I do not like it. We should be discussing issues, not personalities.
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          Mr. Marshall: I agree, Madam Deputy Speaker. Some people incite one into straying down the ways of misguided thoughts—I will try not to yield to temptation. To err is human: to forgive, divine.
          Recently, I visited two shops in my constituency. One was Food Giant, which would be closed on Sundays by the Bill, and the other was 7-Eleven, which would be allowed to trade on Sundays. That is why I regard the new clause as important. The House may like to know the cost of some of the commodities on that shopping expedition. I wanted to buy a pint of semi-skimmed milk, because I am conscious of the need to keep weight under control. It cost 25p at Food Giant and 38p at 7-Eleven. I wanted to buy a loaf of Mother's Pride bread—it was 29p at Food Giant and 71p at 7-Eleven. I wanted to buy some Nescafe—it was £1·29 at Food Giant and £1·79 at 7-Eleven.
          The hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) thought that his fish would not be mentioned. But I wanted to buy some fish fingers made in Grimsby. They were £1·15 for 10 at Food Giant and £1·89 at 7-Eleven —a difference on first-class Bird's Eye fish fingers of 74p. That is a high rate of valued added tax to impose to keep the Sunday sabatarian conscience. I thought that if I were eating all that food, I should brush my teeth. What was the cost of oral hygiene? A tube of Aquafresh was £1·29 at Food Giant and £1–95 at 7-Eleven.
          Mr. David Wilshire: Can I buy shares in Food Giant?
          Mr. Marshall: Food Giant is not the most prosperous retailing group, but it is getting a free plug this morning. For a basket of well-known basic commodities and foodstuffs, the cost at Food Giant was £14·28. That shop would be closed down by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell), who talked about the need for pensioners, single-parent families and widows to have a better deal. He would close down Food Giant at £14·28 and give 7-Eleven a licence to open at £19·56. I suggest that the cost of all that to the average family could be as much as £500 a year. That is from an hon. Member who objects to the imposition of VAT on fuel. The cost of the Bill to many families would be much greater than the cost of the imposition of VAT on heating and lighting.
          Mrs. Ann Winterton: The hon. Gentleman voted for that.
          Mr. Marshall: I know that the hon. Lady's husband voted against the imposition of VAT on fuel but she did not vote against it, so she is caught out by her own intervention.
          It is accepted by people that supermarkets are relatively inexpensive and popular. Indeed, on Sunday, more people will shop in the supermarkets of England than listen to the vicars of the Church of England preach. We must ask ourselves what right we have to say to the people of the United Kingdom that they are wrong and we are right.
          Lord Randolph Churchill, the great-grandfather of my hon. Friend the Member for Davyhulme (Mr. Churchill), told the Tory party to trust the people. Those of us who support a liberalisation of the law say, "Trust the people; the people will decide whether they want to shop on Sunday." They should be given that choice.
          Those who say that they want to change the law and keep Sunday special forget that Sunday will not he kept
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          special by legislative fiat. Sunday will be kept special out of conviction. When I was young, my family and I used to walk around the streets of Dundee on a Sunday because that was what we wanted to do. We did not want to stop in the shops that could legally trade on Sunday in Scotland.
          When I go around my constituency tomorrow afternoon, I shall see walking around Hendon Jewish family after Jewish family. Why do they walk around Hendon as a family on a Saturday? It is not because a law of the land says that they cannot go and shop. It is because, out of conviction, they do not want to shop on Shabbat. That is surely the way to keep Sunday special.
          The way to keep Sunday special is for the Church of England to have a message for the people. The Church of England should ask itself why its pews are full on Christmas eve and on Christmas day and why they are not full for the other 363 days of the year. If it could answer that question, there would be no need for legislation on Sunday trading. But it cannot. People want to shop on a Sunday and they should be free to do so.
          Mr. Austin Mitchell: If today's debate on new clauses 14 and 10 demonstrates anything, it is the need for Government legislation on Sunday trading. My hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) has made a brave attempt, and I congratulate him on all the effort and hard work that has gone into it. But it has proved that to legislate on issues of conscience is beyond the resources of the Back Bencher and the resources allowed to back private Members' legislation.
          The problem is that out of the good intentions of the legislation we have ended up with a mess; we have ended up with a dog's breakfast. We have ended up with Ogmore pie half baked as it has been presented to the House today. The Bill started with a simple, single, clear-cut objective. It has ended up with a mess. My hon. Friend is now attempting to pull the plug on that mess by means of new clause 14 which, I understand, he intends to vote against. That is an incomprehensible way to legislate on Sunday trading.
          My hon. Friend started with a virtuous vestal virgin of a Bill and has ended up with not total but semi-promiscuity. The Bill cannot be totally promiscuous because of the long title of the Bill. At the end of the long evolution of the vestal virgin into a semi-harlot, my hon. Friend shoots her by tabling new clause 14. It does not make sense to proceed in that fashion. It shows the difficulties which face private Members in legislating on topics as controversial as shopping on Sundays.
          If the Committee has done anything, it has given us a huge demonstration of the problem and has been a learning process. It has turned out highly trained neurotics, but it has gone a long way to explaining how difficult such legislation is.
          We have heard all the arguments about Sunday trading. The debate on the new clause has been in some measure a Second Reading debate. Yesterday, I was reading Peter Paterson's book on Lord George-Brown entitled "Tired and Emotional", which is presumably how the members of the Standing Committee ended up. It gives the example of Lord George-Brown as Minister of Works in 1950–51 opening the Tower of London on Sundays.
          All the stock arguments came out. People said that there was no demand to have the Tower of London open on Sundays. They said that the Beefeaters wanted to go to

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          church and the sermons sometimes overran. They said that the Beefeaters must have a hot dinner on Sundays. They said that the Beefeaters must be able to take their children to the countryside or the seaside on Sundays. All the arguments against the Sunday opening of the Tower of London have been repeated today.
          At the end of the debate, we must decide on new clause 14. It would be much preferable to make an immediate decision on new clause 10, which is a more realistic solution to the problems posed by the Bill.
          My hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore started out with a simple principle designed to stop shopping on Sundays—the basic principle of the Keep Sunday Special campaign. One would think that it was possible to legislate for a simple principle, but people then offer various exceptions to it. What about wet fish, for instance, about which more perceptive Members have argued? As soon as one enshrines a simple principle, everyone comes along with a list of exceptions.
          The Bill started with a simple principle, but an increasing number of loopholes have been allowed in it. That list of exceptions is open to many mistakes, because, as my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore has already admitted, many gaps will have to be filled in the House of Lords. New clause 10, tabled by my hon. Friend, allows for that as part of the legislative process.
          One can never get a perfect list of exemptions and those that we have ended up with seem to be male-oriented. As has already been remarked upon, there are many things for the boys, the lads, to do on Sunday. They can go to the DIY, get the motor spares and go down to the garage. There is not much for the girls, the women, to do, except to stay at home and cook the dinner for the lads to arrive back, drunk, loaded down with motor spares and DIY equipment to start cutting up their wives, the joint, or whatever on a Sunday.
          The exemptions will be allowed under an extremely bureaucratic procedure. People must register and prove that 80 per cent. of the business is in the specified, exempt categories. Those registrations must be processed within a month, but there is no suggestion about who will pay for that. Newsagents, for example, who have traded on Sundays for years, will have to go through that formal procedure to prove that they are fit to be exempt. We have ended up with a Bill that no longer keeps Sunday special; it does not even keep it semi-special, because it will be left in a mess.
          Mr. Dowd: Does my hon. Friend agree that KSS no longer means keeping Sunday special but keeping supermarkets shut?
          Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Before the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) continues, may I remind the hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dowd) that he should address me and not the Bench behind him.
          Mr. Mitchell: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is the weakness in the argument about protecting pay and conditions. Those terms will be protected by firing workers in supermarkets who want to work on a Sunday. The Bill will deprive them of that opportunity and it will, in the end, result in lost jobs.
          Mr. Peter Bottomley: In the mid-1980s, I was the junior Minister responsible for this issue, when 4
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          million people worked regularly on Sundays and 4 million others worked part-time or occasionally on a Sunday. Not a single one sent a single letter of complaint to his or her Member of Parliament which was then passed to me.
          Mr. Mitchell: That bears out my experience of talking to shop workers—they want to work on Sunday. They do not feel that they will be discriminated against if they do not work on a Sunday, but the great majority of them want to work on that day to earn extra money. It also gives them the opportunity to arrange their working week to suit their family circumstances. The father could stay at home on Sunday, for example, to look after the kids while the wife was working.
          Ms Janet Anderson: The big four supermarkets employ 57,000 shop workers every Sunday, the vast majority of whom are women. In 1992 alone, they earned, between them, £100 million.
          Mr. Mitchell: I want to encourage that process, but I do not feel that the Bill does so. I entirely agree with my hon. Friend.
          It is as if my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore realised the impossibility of succeeding with the Bill and decided, at the last minute, to throw in what he calls an opportunity to debate the three options, even though he will vote against all three. However, we are not debating the three options that the Government will advance. We are certainly not debating total deregulation. How could we when the Bill's long title states that it is to
          "Provide for a general prohibition on the opening on Sunday of shops for retail trade or business"?
          1.15 pm
          We are not even debating what is, for me and for most Opposition Members, the central issue: the pay and the regulation of labour conditions necessary for working on Sunday. Under the Bill, we cannot debate that subject because to do so we would have to reject new clause 14 —under which we were supposed to debate the options —and go back to the Bill itself, which is incomprehensible. The procedure is unsatisfactory and we cannot even have a proper discussion. How can it be said that we can have a proper discussion in the House of Commons when we have an attendance such as we have today and when hon.Members knew only at the last minute that we were to debate the alternatives?
          Therefore, I conclude that the procedure turns what was a mess into a farce, and the House of Commons should not be asked to decide on it. It is essential that we wait for the Government's measures. I am sorry that their proposals are so belated. The Government have been dilatory and could not make up their minds about what to do. However, the only way is to use the authority of Government, with the backing of the research available to them and their legislative powers, to discuss the three choices and come to a decision.
          Ultimately, even this place and the Government have to maintain certain standards on legislation. The Bill falls well below the standards even of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and the abolition of pit bull terriers Bill—the previous dogs' breakfasts that we have approved in the House. We cannot legislate on a principle that starts simple and ends up a mess, then attempt to salvage it by way of a new clause.
          What are we to do? The only option is to support new clause 10, with which I agree, but which is irrelevant if the

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          Bill is to flounder, and abstain on new clause 14. We would then await the Government's proposals and opt for the principle of regulated liberalisation, as my own union, the GMB, and the Shopping Hours Reform Council are urging us to do.
          Rev. Ian Paisley: I have listened to the debate with great interest. I shall first refer to the Minister's response—if one can call it a response. The people of this country will be alarmed that the Government were unable to make an unequivocal statement to the effect that those who have to work on Sundays will be protected by safeguards if deregulation is introduced. The Minister was silent when pressure was placed on him by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) and he was asked for a clear statement. We must take note of his reluctance. Surely the Government should uphold the principle that those people who do not wish to work on Sunday due to their convictions are given adequate protection. Such protection has not been afforded them by the shops that have been breaking the law.
          A lady who is a member of my congregation works in a large store in the centre of Belfast which gives 50 per cent. discounts to all its workers—but that discount has been withdrawn from those who do not work on Sunday. If that is not discrimination and intimidation I do not know what is.
          The Minister must make it clear where the Government stand on this issue. He says that we will vote on three separate matters, but he has not told the House whether we will be allowed a proper vote. Which vote will be taken first? Will the other two issues then fall?
          The Minister has also told us that we will be given explanations of the reasons for the various proposals. Will he allow those opposed to Sunday opening to explain their position? Will he ask people who believe in partial opening to submit an explanation of their position? He is certainly quite capable of writing out his own explanation. What standing will these various explanations be given?
          I believe that the Government are conniving at getting rid of all Sunday regulation. They want another Christmas, with all the large shops open. They will say that everyone wants that. They are putting off the day, however, because that suits them—the Government want as much time as possible.
          Mr. Alton: The Minister has still not made it clear to us —perhaps he will take the opportunity to intervene on the hon. Gentleman—whether the Government will introduce a Bill in the Queen's Speech in the autumn. He said only that they intend to introduce a Bill, but he did not specificically mention the Queen's Speech.
          Rev. Ian Paisley: I thought that I heard the Minister say something about the Queen's Speech, but I shall allow him to intervene.
          Mr. Peter Lloyd: We shall introduce a Bill in the autumn. Most Bills introduced in the autumn are listed in the Queen's Speech. I do not write that speech, but I can say that the Government have decided that there will be such a Bill.
          Mr. Skinner: Still a bit vague.
          Rev. Ian Paisley: We will see how the Government proceed, but we are certainly not hearing any firm
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          commitment from the Government about the rights of workers and how they will be protected. That is the foundation on which they should build.
          If the Government deregulate Sunday, will they then consider the day the same as any other working day? Do they believe that people who work on Sunday should be paid the same rate as they would be on another day? We need to know the Government's attitude.
          I do not know whether any hon. Member lives beside one of these supermarkets, but many of my constituents do. The supermarkets are often built in areas where people live in their rows of houses. We have had a great deal of representation from them about the troubles with traffic, trolleys and congestion. Now Sunday will go the same way; but people should be allowed a breather, one day when they can escape traffic congestion and not be bothered by trolleys and the hustle and bustle of people shopping.
          I listened with amazement to the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall), who said that the Bill's supporters want to close shops. They want nothing of the kind. They want to close them on a Sunday, that is all. Anyone listening to the hon. Gentleman would have thought that the Bill's sponsors are trying to close down shops for ever. Not so; if people want to shop in them, they can certainly go on doing so. The hon. Gentleman spoke as though he were pleading for ordinary working people, but ordinary working people, the elderly and those who are busy cannot go to the supermarkets. The local independent shops supply them.
          I draw attention to the findings of a Royal Town Planning Institute working party. In its paper, it said:
          "Those who are disadvantaged by reason of poverty, who do not have access to a car, and who therefore are dependent on existing local and neighbourhood shops cannot easily take advantage of the facilities of the distant superstore. There is widespread concern that these disadvantaged consumers will increasingly suffer from double deprivation caused by lack of access to the advantageous, convenient and efficient forms of retailing combined with dependence on deteriorating quality, prices and choice in neighbourhood shops."
          Mr. John Marshall: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
          Rev. Ian Paisley: No, I will not give way because time is short and others may wish to take part.
          Independent local shops are important to the very fabric of society and they form a focus for the community. They are not impersonal like the big stores. That is why it is important that we get our priorities right. I welcome the fact that today we can vote on the three main issues. Now is the time to do that. It has been put off for far too long. Let us have it today.
          If people did not think it worth while turning up for the debate today, that is their fault. Hon. Members may have been discouraged from attending, but if those who want a free vote to sort our Sunday trading in a complete sweep do not have their followers here, that is their business. We have to vote today. That is the job that we are called to do. If we do not make ourselves acquainted with the business of the House, that is our business. We have to vote on the issue and show what the House of Commons wants. I am glad that, in the previous vote, hon. Members representing Ulster pointed the way.
          Mr. Don Dixon rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put:
          Question put, That the Question be now put:—
          The House divided: Ayes 119, Noes 13.

          Division No. 268]

          [1.27 pm

          AYES

          Abbott, Ms Diane

          Keen, Alan

          Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)

          Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine

          Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby)

          Livingstone, Ken

          Allen, Graham

          Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)

          Alton, David

          Lord, Michael

          Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)

          Lynne, Ms Liz

          Anderson, Ms Janet (Ros'dale)

          Macdonald, Calum

          Banks, Tony (Newham NW)

          McMaster, Gordon

          Barnes, Harry

          McWilliam, John

          Barron, Kevin

          Madden, Max

          Beggs, Roy

          Meale, Alan

          Beith, Rt Hon A. J.

          Michael, Alun

          Bell, Stuart

          Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley)

          Benton, Joe

          Moate, Sir Roger

          Berry, Dr. Roger

          Moonie, Dr Lewis

          Body, Sir Richard

          Morgan, Rhodri

          Booth, Hartley

          Morley, Elliot

          Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes

          Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe)

          Bray, Dr Jeremy

          Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley)

          Burden, Richard

          Mudie, George

          Campbell-Savours, D. N.

          Mullin, Chris

          Cann, Jamie

          Murphy, Paul

          Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)

          O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire)

          Coffey, Ann

          Olner, William

          Cohen, Harry

          Paisley, Rev Ian

          Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

          Pawsey, James

          Corbett, Robin

          Pendry, Tom

          Corbyn, Jeremy

          Pickthall, Colin

          Cormack, Patrick

          Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

          Corston, Ms Jean

          Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E)

          Cryer, Bob

          Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)

          Cummings, John

          Purchase, Ken

          Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)

          Quin, Ms Joyce

          Dafis, Cynog

          Raynsford, Nick

          Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)

          Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

          Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l)

          Rogers, Allan

          Denham, John

          Rowlands, Ted

          Dixon, Don

          Ruddock, Joan

          Dover, Den

          Sedgemore, Brian

          Dowd, Jim

          Shore, Rt Hon Peter

          Dunnachie, Jimmy

          Short, Clare

          Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

          Sims, Roger

          Eastham, Ken

          Skinner, Dennis

          Etherington, Bill

          Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)

          Fatchett, Derek

          Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)

          Fisher, Mark

          Soley, Clive

          Foster, Rt Hon Derek

          Spearing, Nigel

          Fraser, John

          Trimble, David

          Gerrard, Neil

          Turner, Dennis

          Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

          Vaz, Keith

          Hain, Peter

          Wardell, Gareth (Gower)

          Hall, Mike

          Wicks, Malcolm

          Hoey, Kate

          Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W)

          Hoyle, Doug

          Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen)

          Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

          Winnick, David

          Ingram, Adam

          Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)

          Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)

          Wise, Audrey

          Jessel, Toby

          Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)

          Tellers for the Ayes:

          Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

          Mr. Andrew F. Bennett and Mr. John Spellar.

          Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)

          Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald

          NOES

          Ashby, David

          Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame Angela

          Bottomley, Peter (Eltham)

          Shaw, David (Dover)

          Coombs, Simon (Swindon)

          Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)

          Devlin, Tim

          Whittingdale, John

          Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring)

          Gardiner, Sir George

          Tellers for the Noes:

          Montgomery, Sir Fergus

          Mr. John Marshall and Mr. Michael Fabricant.

          Rathbone, Tim

          Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne)

          Question accordingly agreed to.
          Question put accordingly, That the clause be read a Second time:—
          The House divided: Ayes 120, Noes 9.

          Division No. 269]

          [1.40 pm

          AYES

          Abbott, Ms Diane

          Khabra, Piara S.

          Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)

          Livingstone, Ken

          Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby)

          Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)

          Allen, Graham

          Lord, Michael

          Alton, David

          Lynne, Ms Liz

          Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)

          Macdonald, Calum

          Barnes, Harry

          Mackinlay, Andrew

          Barron, Kevin

          Maclennan, Robert

          Beggs, Roy

          McMaster, Gordon

          Beith, Rt Hon A. J.

          McWilliam, John

          Bell, Stuart

          Madden, Max

          Benton, Joe

          Meacher, Michael

          Berry, Dr. Roger

          Meale, Alan

          Body, Sir Richard

          Michael, Alun

          Booth, Hartley

          Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley)

          Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes

          Moate, Sir Roger

          Bray, Dr Jeremy

          Moonie, Dr Lewis

          Burden, Richard

          Morgan, Rhodri

          Campbell-Savours, D. N.

          Morley, Elliot

          Cann, Jamie

          Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe)

          Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)

          Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley)

          Coffey, Ann

          Mudie, George

          Cohen, Harry

          Mullin, Chris

          Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

          Murphy, Paul

          Corbett, Robin

          O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire)

          Corbyn, Jeremy

          Olner, William

          Cormack, Patrick

          Orme, Rt Hon Stanley

          Corston, Ms Jean

          Paisley, Rev Ian

          Cryer, Bob

          Pawsey, James

          Cummings, John

          Pendry, Tom

          Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)

          Pickthall, Colin

          Dafis, Cynog

          Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

          Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)

          Prescott, John

          Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l)

          Purchase, Ken

          Denham, John

          Quin, Ms Joyce

          Dixon, Don

          Raynsford, Nick

          Dover, Den

          Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

          Dunnachie, Jimmy

          Rogers, Allan

          Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

          Rowlands, Ted

          Dykes, Hugh

          Sedgemore, Brian

          Eastham, Ken

          Shersby, Michael

          Etherington, Bill

          Shore, Rt Hon Peter

          Fatchett, Derek

          Short, Clare

          Foster, Rt Hon Derek

          Sims, Roger

          Fraser, John

          Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)

          Gapes, Mike

          Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)

          Gerrard, Neil

          Spearing, Nigel

          Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

          Thomason, Roy

          Hain, Peter

          Trimble, David

          Hall, Mike

          Turner, Dennis

          Hoey, Kate

          Vaz, Keith

          Hoyle, Doug

          Waller, Gary

          Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

          Wardell, Gareth (Gower)

          Ingram, Adam

          Wicks, Malcolm

          Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)

          Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W)

          Jessel, Toby

          Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen)

          Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)

          Winnick, David

          Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

          Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)

          Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)

          Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald

          Tellers for the Ayes:

          Keen, Alan

          Mr. John Spellar and Mr. Andrew F. Bennett.

          Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine

          NOES

          Ashby, David

          Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John

          Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)

          Wilshire, David

          Bottomley, Peter (Eltham)

          Montgomery, Sir Fergus

          Tellers for the Noes:

          Skinner, Dennis

          Mr. John Marshall and Mr. Michael Fabricant.

          Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)

          Ward, John

          Question accordingly agreed to.
          Amendment (a) proposed to the proposed clause, in line15, leave out subsection (3).—[Mr. Bennett.]
          Question put, That the amendment to the proposed clause be made:—
          The House divided: Ayes 13, Noes 127.

          Division No. 270]

          [1.51 pm

          AYES

          Ashby, David

          Thomason, Roy

          Coombs, Simon (Swindon)

          Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)

          Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield)

          Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John

          Fabricant, Michael

          Wilshire, David

          Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring)

          Gardiner, Sir George

          Tellers for the Ayes:

          Montgomery, Sir Fergus

          Mr. John Marshall and Mr. Peter Bottomley.

          Sims, Roger

          Stern, Michael

          NOES

          Abbott, Ms Diane

          Jessel, Toby

          Ainger, Nick

          Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)

          Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)

          Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

          Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby)

          Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)

          Allen, Graham

          Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald

          Alton, David

          Keen, Alan

          Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)

          Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine

          Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy

          Khabra, Piara S.

          Barnes, Harry

          Livingstone, Ken

          Barron, Kevin

          Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)

          Beggs, Roy

          Lord, Michael

          Beith, Rt Hon A. J.

          Lynne, Ms Liz

          Bell, Stuart

          Macdonald, Calum

          Benton, Joe

          Mackinlay, Andrew

          Bermingham, Gerald

          Maclennan, Robert

          Berry, Dr. Roger

          McMaster, Gordon

          Body, Sir Richard

          McWilliam, John

          Booth, Hartley

          Madden, Max

          Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes

          Meacher, Michael

          Bray, Dr Jeremy

          Michael, Alun

          Burden, Richard

          Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley)

          Campbell-Savours, D. N.

          Moate, Sir Roger

          Cann, Jamie

          Moonie, Dr Lewis

          Clapham, Michael

          Morgan, Rhodri

          Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)

          Morley, Elliot

          Cohen, Harry

          Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe)

          Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

          Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley)

          Corbett, Robin

          Mudie, George

          Corbyn, Jeremy

          Mullin, Chris

          Cormack, Patrick

          Murphy, Paul

          Corston, Ms Jean

          O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire)

          Cryer, Bob

          Olner, William

          Cummings, John

          Orme, Rt Hon Stanley

          Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)

          Paisley, Rev Ian

          Dafis, Cynog

          Pawsey, James

          Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)

          Pendry, Tom

          Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'I)

          Pickthall, Colin

          Denham, John

          Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

          Dixon, Don

          Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E)

          Dover, Den

          Prescott, John

          Dowd, Jim

          Purchase, Ken

          Dunnachie, Jimmy

          Quin, Ms Joyce

          Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

          Raynsford, Nick

          Dykes, Hugh

          Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

          Eastham, Ken

          Rogers, Allan

          Etherington, Bill

          Rowlands, Ted

          Fatchett, Derek

          Sedgemore, Brian

          Fisher, Mark

          Shore, Rt Hon Peter

          Foster, Rt Hon Derek

          Short, Clare

          Fraser, John

          Skinner, Dennis

          Gapes, Mike

          Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)

          Gerrard, Neil

          Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)

          Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

          Soley, Clive

          Hain, Peter

          Spearing, Nigel

          Hall, Mike

          Spellar, John

          Hoey, Kate

          Trimble, David

          Hoyle, Doug

          Turner, Dennis

          Hughes, Roy (Newport E)

          Vaz, Keith

          Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

          Warden, Gareth (Gower)

          Illsley, Eric

          Wicks, Malcolm

          Ingram, Adam

          Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W)

          Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)

          Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen)

          1100

          Winnick, David

          Tellers for the Noes:

          Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)

          Mr. Alan Meale and Ms Ann Coffey.

          Wise, Audrey

          Question accordingly negatived.
          Question put, Thatn the clause be added to the Bill:—
          The House divided:Ayes 13, Noes 124.

          Division No. 271]

          [2.03 pm

          AYES

          Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy

          Thomason, Roy

          Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)

          Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)

          Bottomley, Peter (Eltham)

          Waller, Gary

          Devlin, Tim

          Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John

          Gardiner, Sir George

          Wilshire, David

          Montgomery, Sir Fergus

          Onslow, Rt Hon Sir Cranley

          Tellers for the Ayes:

          Shaw, David (Dover)

          Mr. John Marshall and Mr. Michael Fabricant.

          Shore, Rt Hon Peter

          NOES

          Abbott, Ms Diane

          Hughes, Roy (Newport E)

          Ainger, Nick

          Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

          Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)

          Illsley, Eric

          Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby)

          Ingram, Adam

          Allen, Graham

          Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)

          Alton, David

          Jessel, Toby

          Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)

          Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)

          Banks, Tony (Newham NW)

          Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

          Barnes, Harry

          Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)

          Barron, Kevin

          Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald

          Beggs, Roy

          Keen, Alan

          Beith, Rt Hon A. J.

          Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine

          Bell, Stuart

          Khabra, Piara S.

          Benton, Joe

          Livingstone, Ken

          Bermingham, Gerald

          Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)

          Berry, Dr. Roger

          Lord, Michael

          Body, Sir Richard

          Lynne, Ms Liz

          Booth, Hartley

          Macdonald, Calum

          Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes

          Mackinlay, Andrew

          Bray, Dr Jeremy

          McMaster, Gordon

          Burden, Richard

          McWilliam, John

          Campbell-Savours, D. N.

          Madden, Max

          Cann, Jamie

          Meacher, Michael

          Clapham, Michael

          Michael, Alun

          Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)

          Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley)

          Coffey, Ann

          Moate, Sir Roger

          Cohen, Harry

          Moonie, Dr Lewis

          Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

          Morgan, Rhodri

          Corbett, Robin

          Morley, Elliot

          Corbyn, Jeremy

          Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe)

          Cormack, Patrick

          Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley)

          Corston, Ms Jean

          Mudie, George

          Cryer, Bob

          Mullin, Chris

          Cummings, John

          Murphy, Paul

          Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)

          Olner, William

          Dafis, Cynog

          Orme, Rt Hon Stanley

          Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)

          Paisley, Rev Ian

          Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l)

          Pawsey, James

          Denham, John

          Pendry, Tom

          Dixon, Don

          Pickthall, Colin

          Dover, Den

          Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

          Dunnachie, Jimmy

          Prescott, John

          Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

          Purchase, Ken

          Dykes, Hugh

          Quin, Ms Joyce

          Eastham, Ken

          Raynsford, Nick

          Etherington, Bill

          Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

          Fatchett, Derek

          Rogers, Allan

          Foster, Rt Hon Derek

          Rowlands, Ted

          Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring)

          Sedgemore, Brian

          Fraser, John

          Short, Clare

          Gapes, Mike

          Skinner, Dennis

          Gerrard, Neil

          Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)

          Golding, Mrs Llin

          Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)

          Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

          Spearing, Nigel

          Hain, Peter

          Spellar, John

          Hall, Mike

          Stern, Michael

          Hoey, Kate

          Trimble, David

          Hoyle, Doug

          Turner, Dennis

          1101

          Vaz, Keith

          Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)

          Wardell, Gareth (Gower)

          Wise, Audrey

          Wicks, Malcolm

          Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W)

          Tellers for the Noes:

          Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen)

          Mr. Andrew F. Bennett and Mr. Alan Meale.

          Winnick, David

          Qusetion accordingly negatived.
          Mr. Ray Powell: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. You were in the Chair when the votes were taken on a contentious issue that could clarify whether or not Parliament is in favour of the proposals of the Shopping Hours Reform Council, total deregulation or the proposals in my Bill. The wish of the House has been made clear beyond any shadow of doubt by the last vote of 124 for to 13 against. Even more votes were cast against total deregulation, as one would expect. In the debate, one of my hon. Friends said that we had failed to find anyone who totally agreed with total deregulation to append his or her signature to the amendment. My hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) said that he would table an amendment so that a vote could be taken. This is a democracy, we are meeting on a Friday and every one of the 651 Members of Parliament has been informed that the debate is to take place today. Therefore, bearing in mind the decisions taken this afternoon, will you, Madam Deputy Speaker, accept a motion from me that we should now proceed to take the Third Reading of my Bill? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Where is the democracy —hon. Members cannot even accept a decision when—
          Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Janet Fookes): Order. The hon. Gentleman must not make a speech. I understood his point of order and my answer is an unequivocal no. Madam Speaker has made her selection of new clauses and amendments. It is my duty to ensure that they are debated within the necessary constraints of time.
          Mr. Peter Bottomley: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I hope that this is a different point of order.
          Mr. Bottomley: It certainly is. I have been a Member for some time and I think that I have heard the occupant of the Chair give guidance on occasion that Members' votes are expected to follow their speeches. We have had two debates—one on amendment (a) and one on new clause 14. I think that those who moved the amendment and the new clause may not have voted for them. I should be grateful for your guidance on the conventions of the House and whether they merely provide guidance or are supposed to be adhered to.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: The rule is not quite as the hon. Gentleman thinks. The rule refers to the voice, when giving tongue to aye or no—not an actual speech. Those are the two factors that must go together. For example, an hon. Member could give a speech in favour of a measure and then vote against it.
          Mr. Donald Anderson: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I appeal to you in your role as defender of the traditions of the House and of the rights of Back Benchers. Has not the sad saga of the passage of this Bill shown the extent to which the Executive rules the procedures of this House and to which the w ill of Back Benchers has become as nothing? We have
          1102
          become nothing but ciphers. The clear will of the House is that there should be progress on the lines of the Bill, but the Government and their friends have, by this manoeuvre, ensured that there will be more lawbreaking for at least another 12 months. Surely time should be allowed for the will of the House to prevail over the will of the Government, who are conniving at the continuation of lawbreaking.
          Madam Deputyn Speaker: I am afraid that these are not matters over and for which the Chair has any control or responsibility.
          Mr. Cormack: Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Would you be prepared to discuss with Madam Speaker the implications not just of these votes but of the time allocated to Bills which manifestly enjoy the support of an overwhelming majority of the House, as demonstrated in the decisive Second Reading vote? I put it to you that in cases such as this it should be possible to work out a procedure to provide time. After all, in percentage terms the Bill had as decisive a majority on Second Reading as any Bill of recent years.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I have no doubt that Madam Speaker, who assiduously follows the proceedings of the Chamber, will be aware of what has been said today; but I remind the hon. Gentleman that these are precisely matters for consideration by the Procedure Committee, which was set up to deal with difficulties and disputes of this kind.
          Mr. Cryer: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Perhaps I might be permitted to provide a helpful solution to the dilemma. Given this overwhelming majority, it is more than likely that some people who have tabled amendments might decide not to move them. I should be grateful for your confirmation that that is possible. If they did not move them, we could move on to a formal Third Reading and the Bill could go to the Lords. If those who have tabled the amendments do not withdraw them, I fear that outsiders will come to the conclusion that those who are not willing to co-operate in this way are influenced by the big vested interests of the multinationals, which are lawbreakers themselves. I hate to see members of the law and order party in conspiracy with concerted lawbreakers such as B and Q and all the rest of them.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: There is no dilemma for me here. We shall not find out whether people are willing not to move their amendments unless we proceed to do so.
          Mr. Fabricant: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. As a new Member of the House, may I ask whether it is usual to be given only three days' notice that issues as important as these are to be debated?
          Madam Deputy Speaker: If it were not in order, it would not have been permitted.
          Mr. Gerald Bermingham: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Over the years the Government have time after time—yesterday was a classic example of this—broadened Bills to encompass matters well outside their long titles, although technically they may have come within the titles. Is not it sad that no way can be found to enable the House to exercise its will at this stage? It seems that everything depends on Ministers and on the Government's business managers, operating

          1103
          through the usual channels. Surely, if this is a democracy —I sometimes think that, regrettably, it is an elective dictatorship—we can find a way to ensure that the will and the spirit of the House and the country bring to an end a scandal and a shame that has continued for many years. If we cannot do that, we might as well all pack our bags and go home.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: That is a lamentation with which I am familiar, but it is not my responsibility. Once again, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Procedure Committee.
          Mr. Stern: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I hope that, in discussing with Madam Speaker the issues arising out of the debate and proceedings on the Bill, you will draw her attention to two factors that have long-term implications for private Members' Bills. The first is the apparent ability of certain hon. Members to bully through support for a measure by reason of their position. The second is what happened today, when a long line of speakers spoke in support of a new clause against which they then voted.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I have nothing to add to the points that I have already made.
          Mr. Beith: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will you confirm that, in the terms of the procedure of the House, there is nothing to prevent the Leader of the House from making time available to deal with the 99 amendments and new clauses in the name of the right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold) and the other amendments? It might assist in the process that the Minister described earlier—of the Government having established that the will of the House is broadly in favour of one route, not deregulation or that described by the SHRC—if the Government would use their time to proceed in the matter. As the Leader of the House is not here, will you confirm that it is open to him to do that?
          Madam Deputy Speaker: It is not for me to offer advice to the Leader of the House. However, I have no doubt that the right hon. Member can communicate directly with the Leader of the House.
          Mr. John Marshall: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank you for standing up for the rights of Back Benchers who wish to debate the issues. It is wrong that the Chamber should be used as a constitutional steamroller, as the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) wanted. We have a right to debate the issues and he should not have interfered. Is not it an absurdity that we have been debating a new clause, proposed by the hon. Gentleman, against which he then voted?
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I have no further observation on that point. I have made it already.
          Mr. Alfred Morris: On a point of order. Madam Deputy Speaker. In a recent statement from the Chair, Madam Speaker acceped for debate two hotly contested amendments to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill. In doing so, she said that they were incompatible and that if the House voted in favour of one of the amendments, there could be no vote on the other. Can you now rule, Madam Deputy Speaker, on how many of the remaining amendments on the amendment paper are incompatible with the decisions that have been taken by the House on the Bill today?
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I do not offer views in advance of consideration of amendments.
          Mr. Tim Devlin: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I have received several hundred cards from people writing in favour of restricting Sunday trading and several hundred from people opposed to Sunday trading. I have six cards sent to me by people both opposed and in favour. In view of the confusion throughout the country that that shows, I urge you to ask the Government to bring forward a Bill or a mechanism as soon as possible because many people obviously wish to have the matter resolved at a time when all hon. Members are here to decide on it.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I wonder sometimes whether people actually hear what I say. I have said that the proper procedure is to go to the Procedure Committee, which is set up to deal with just such problems.
          Mr. Alison: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. If I were now to propose, That the Bill be now read the Third time, it is clear in the light of what you said earlier that you would have to reply that you could not accept my proposal, because amendments on the order paper would have to be called. Given that the time factor now makes it impossible for any amendment to be called, I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: I must decline to propose the Question.
          Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Lest those outside the House misunderstand your ruling, will you confirm that the matters that you say will be dealt with by the Procedure Committee will, in fact, be dealt with by a Committee dominated by Government supporters appointed by Whips who are in favour of rejecting the Bill? In what sense does the Procedure Committee provide a remedy for the problem that we encounter today?
          It being hale past Two o'clock, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned.

        Remaining Private Member's Bills

          RIGHT TO KNOW BILL
          Order for consideration, as amended in the Standing Committee, read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          To be considered on Friday 2 July.

          LOCAL GOVERNMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL
          As amended, considered; read the Third time, and passed.

          MEDICINES INFORMATION BILL
          Order for further consideration, as amended in the Standing Committee, read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          To be further considered on Friday 2 July.

          RANSACTIONS WITH TAX HAVENS (SANCTIONS) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          RACIAL VIOLENCE BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 9 July.

          TOBACCO ADVERTISING BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          SEXUAL OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          DECLARATION OF WAR (REQUIREMENT FOR PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          HOMICIDE (DEFENCE OF PROVOCATION) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          WEDDINGS BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          HARE COURSING BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Mr. Harry Cohen: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I did not hear an objection.
          Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Janet Fookes): Unfortunately—from the hon. Gentleman's point of view —I did.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          LANDLORD AND TENANT (COVENANTS) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          CRIMINAL JUSTICE (AMENDMENT) (No. 2) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          CIVIL RIGHTS (DISABLED PERSONS) BILL [LORDS]
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day?
          Mr. Alfred Morris: Noting the objection of the hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot), Friday 2 July, Madam Deputy Speaker.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.
          Mr. Ray Powell: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Do you realise that the Bill to which an objection has been made was debated for some seven hours—
          Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I am sorry, but the House cannot debate the merits or otherwise of the Bill.
          Mr. Powell: Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am referring not to the merits of the Bill, but to the fact that a private Member's Bill intended to help disabled people was debated for seven hours, and cannot now be debated further on the Floor of the House because an objection has been made.
          Madam Deputy Speaker: Unfortunately, our procedures do not allow us to discuss that point.

          ENERGY (FAIR COMPETITION) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (AMENDMENT) BILL
          Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Second Reading [12 February].
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Debate to be resumed on Friday 2 July.
          Mr. Harry Barnes: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On the Second Reading of the Bill, the closure motion was carried by 78 votes to nil. This Bill has been killed off by two Tellers and the Government Whip. The House should take account of that in terms of its procedure.

          PENSIONS BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          EUROPEAN UNION (PUBLIC INFORMATION) BILL
          Order for Second Reading read.
          Hon. Members: Object.
          Second Reading deferred till Friday 2 July.

          SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE
          Resolved,
          That,

          (1) this House do meet on Thursday 27th May at half-past Nine o'clock;

          (2) notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 17 (Time for taking questions), no Questions shall be taken. provided that at Eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit Questions to be asked which are in her opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members; and

          (3) at Three o'clock the Speaker do adjourn the House without putting any Question, provided that this House shall not adjourn until the Speaker shall have reported the Royal Assent to any Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—[Mr. Arbuthnot.]

          Deregulation and Privatisation
          Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Arbuthnot.]
          2.35 pm
          Mr. Hugh Dykes: It was interesting to note in the previous debate how the will of the House was manifested in favour of the Government not rushing into out-and-out deregulation. In that case, it was the highly important subject of Sunday trading. I was a supporter of the Shops (Amendment) Bill throughout its various stages. That particular process may now have lapsed, but I am sure that we shall return later to that agonising debate. It is one aspect of the importance of avoiding rushing into out-and-out deregulation that I wish to raise today.
          I am grateful to the Under-Secretary of State for Technology for coming here to reply in this Adjournment debate. As he has just returned from an important visit overseas, I am even more grateful to him for being on the Treasury Bench today—although I know he will not mind my saying, given the importance of the subject, that at least the Minister for Industry, if not the President of the Board of Trade, should have been on duty to respond to the debate.
          Although it is an Adjournment debate, there is, as you know, Madam Deputy Speaker, a respectable tradition in the House that matters of overriding political importance —not just local or marginal matters reflecting the particular interests of the Member concerned—can be raised on the Adjournment. I wish to air a big national subject, and that is a convenient way of doing it.
          I did not select a Friday for this debate, although I am grateful to the Chair for having done so. If the debate had taken place in the Monday to Thursday period, more attention might have been paid to it. I hope that the press will give publicity to the subject, for it will become part of a significant debate in the months to come. Lest my hon. Friend the Minister thinks that I am growing excessively radical in, perhaps, the wrong sense, bearing in mind the last few years of political developments under a Conservative Government, I wish to reassure him that that is far from the case. All that I am doing is espousing the idea of a return to the commonsense, middle ground of British politics, which is particularly necessary in this matter.
          The subject for debate on the Adjournment of the House are deregulation and privatisation but, if I may, I shall take them in reverse order. I have to declare a direct interest as the founder shareholder of a company in the City that has been involved in virtually all the successful privatisations that have been carried out by the Government since 1979, beginning with the first tranche of the British Telecom shares issue, followed by the privatisation of British Gas and other nationalised industries. It is true to say that, both pragmatically and objectively, it has been a successful programme, the effects of which, in most cases, have been beneficial to the economy. Most people, even Opposition Members, would agree, with that conclusion.
          The programme has not been successful in all respects. In practical terms, the effects have not always been quite what was expected. For instance, in real terms, electricity is now more expensive as a consequence of privatisation than it was before, so privatisation has not always worked exactly in the way that we hoped. None the less, the

          1109
          overwhelming conclusion must be that it has been a success. Bearing that in mind, the irony of my suggestion is that we should have second thoughts now. This country has privatised more industries than any other country in the occidental world and elsewhere. The argument now, I believe, is that we should have serious second thoughts about further privatisation.
          I pay tribute to our deceased colleague, the hon. Member for Christchurch, for his work on the railways, which are a good example of where the Government should have second thoughts and pause to ensure that we get the structures and the legislation right. I share the anxieties and fears of many people, including many loyal Conservatives, that we shall get it wrong for the sake of the inevitable, inexorable pressure of previous ideology, at a time when the era of Thatcherism has been fading away and should continue to fade away rapidly. I hope that we are returning to mainstream central conservatism for a long time ahead.
          Robert Adley, whom we in the House lament, had a number of important points to make on the subject, not least in the report of the Select Committee on Transport. The Railways Bill has been amended in Committee with few second thoughts, which is a pity. I hope that there will be an opportunity for the Department of Transport and other parts of government to think carefully before rushing into an ill-considered, complicated structure for the sake of old ideological pressures that will not be in accordance with modern practical realities. A limited number of franchises, but only a few, may eventually be awarded to outside applicants, but I should like to see the essential component maintained so that British Rail is involved as an original applicant in its own right, subject to the final structure of the track authority and franchisers.
          We are apparently approaching the final sell-off in British Telecom shares. Is it right for the Government, for old-fashioned, out-of-date ideological reasons, automatically to say that they must sell off the remaining shares? Why not keep 10 to 15 per cent. in public hands, bearing in mind the strategic and security aspects of telecommunications, which is a legitimate argument? Why should not the Government maintain and conserve a successful commercial investment that has done very well and would provide an interesting commercial sector dividend for the Treasury?
          The main reason I urge second thoughts on privitisation and deregulation is the apparently upcoming privatisation of the Post Office. Even right-wing colleagues in the House and in the parliamentary Conservative party are having serious second thoughts about the arguments for Post Office privatisation. Again, I use the word deliberately in the conventional sense of privatisation in structural terms, but other parameters may be considered in the future. I hope so. I hope that the Department of Trade and Industry and the President of the Board of Trade will be open minded on the issue. I am encouraged by the delays that appear to be occuring. My hon. Friend the Minister has had hearings with people outside, with colleagues in the House and, I am sure, with Opposition Members. I remember that years ago we both rebelled against the abolition of the Greater London Council, so I am sure that he is not the kind of person to be an unthinking supporter of the Centre for Policy Studies and its old arguments and ideological nostrums, which have now been bypassed by the passage of time and by the return to pragmatic Conservative common sense.
          1110
          The public want this Conservative Government, whom they re-elected last year—I was as delighted about that as my hon. Friend the Minister—to concentrate on the revival and recovery of the British economy, the revival and reconstruction of our essential social services and a return to common sense in education policy. They do not want us to go on at excessive length about old pre-occupations with old-fashioned ideology on privatisation, particularly when it clearly is not necessary for the Post Office.
          Future structures may be needed because Post Office management, supported by employees and, I am sure, unions, would like the Post Office to be free to go into the marketplace for future investment and capital requirements, which it cannot do at the moment because of the shackles of Treasury control and the need for a minimum return.
          All sorts of options can be considered and I certainly advocate the idea of a public corporation with the Government still involved through, perhaps, a minority shareholding—such as with British Telecom, if the Government do not sell their remaining shares. An employee-management buy-out might be the right way forward. That would offer the freedom that we saw in the successful privatisation of the National Freight Corporation, which represented popular capitalism at its best, with amazingly successful results. Van drivers with the NFC now have £150,000 of capital or more, and as a result they are as addicted as my hon. Friend and I to the modern welfare capitalist system.
          That may be the approach. However, the old-fashioned idea of a sell-off for its own sake, simply because the Treasury still needs money to reduce the deficit, is depressingly familiar. It is otiose and out of date for a unique body that is part of the public sector in a real sense and also has links with the Crown which have to be borne in mind in the future.
          My final comments—I want to give my hon. Friend a chance to reply—will be about deregulation. We now use that term in two senses, which causes a certain amount of confusion. Although I am in favour of it, I am not thinking primarily today of deregulation in the sense of a bonfire of controls. In fact, despite the fact that I am a supporter of the bonfire of controls and of getting rid of excessive red tape and bureaucracy, as anyone with common sense would be—I suppose that it would be a wider part of the citizens charter—I find it slightly amusing that the Government are now relaunching that as a policy although we have been in power since 1979. I thought that we were supposed to have done it before. I am thinking more of deregulation in areas such as the Sunday trading legislation that the House debated earlier, in which the Government could still be tempted to say that they remained, empirically, out-and-out deregulators, if that is not a contradiction in terms—I sometimes think that it is. That would be a great pity.
          I shall raise two points to which it may be difficult for my hon. Friend to respond, as they are not in the province and ambit of his Department—but no doubt we can both consult our colleagues in other parts of the Government later. As a London Member, I wish to refer specifically to deregulation plans for London buses and black taxi cabs. I apologise for the fact that, because my hon. Friend was abroad, I could not give him notice that I intended to raise that subject, too.

          1111
          In terms of deregulation as a general principle, the time has come when we can return to pragmatic, sensible, middle-of-the-road Macmillan-type Conservatism. I hope that, as we have been assured discreetly and privately by our colleagues, that is a genuine return by the Government to common sense and to the centre ground. I therefore hope that deregulation will no longer be a central plank of our policy in general terms. I feel strongly that deregulation of the buses in London would be a disaster. All the evidence points to such a policy being quite wrong. The present limited contract franchise system is adequate and successful for London.
          We do not, of course, contemplate deregulating the tube, which would be rather a difficult matter to engineer, I presume, as there is no intrinsic competition that one could create alongside tube trains. We have seen how regulation and a certain restricted framework for London's black cabs have produced the best result. There is competition between individual cabs and cab companies, yet the restrictive regulatory framework for qualification and control provides us with the blessing of the best taxi service of any capital city in the world that I can think of.
          If the Government abandon a return to common sense and pragmatism and say, "No, no, we must continue. The Centre for Policy Studies is still alive and kicking, and we owe it to all the acolytes who did their research years ago to fulfil their views and wishes in future legislation" our own supporters as well as the general public will be profoundly disappointed. The Government now have a wonderful opportunity to say that second thoughts are legitimate in politics, and that this is a good example. I hope that my hon. Friend will reassure me and the House that that is the case.
          2.48 pm
          The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Technology (Mr. Edward Leigh): As always, the House will be grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) for putting his views forward in such a forthright manner. The Conservative party is, of course, a broad church and if a broad church is to work it is important that we have various different strands of thinking. My hon. Friend has always been assiduous and consistent in advancing his ideas and he has done so again today. I am grateful to him, as the whole Government will be.
          My hon. Friend mentioned the Centre for Policy Studies two or three times, but the Centre for Policy Studies does not run the Government. It is a think tank and we listen to its views as much as we listen to the views of our Back Benchers. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that all those various views are condensed into effective policy making. Of course, the Government have noted what he has said today about privatisation of British Rail, about deregulation in general and about London taxis. I hope that my hon. Friend will forgive me if, despite the fact that he raised wider transport matters today, I do not venture into that territory. He will know that as a Minister at the Department of Trade and Industry, I am not responsible for transport matters. In view of the seriousness with which my hon. Friend has conducted the debate today, I hope that he will be satisfied if I inform my
          1112
          right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport of his views. I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will be able to give him a reply.
          I apologise for the fact that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is not able to be here today. I hope that my hon. Friend will be satisfied with my humble presence. I shall do my best in the little time available to me to answer some of his points. As he said, his subject is wide. Normally on these occasions, it is simple for those briefing the Minister to divine what will be the subject of the debate. This is such a broad debate that I hope that my hon. Friend will not be too disappointed if I do not launch into a full-scale defence of changes in Sunday trading laws, or of the privatisation of this or that industry. I shall do my best to take up some of his points.
          To return to the theme with which I opened, what unites us in the Conservative party is much greater than what divides us. All in the Conservative party are united on the great importance of our deregulation initiative which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has made an absolute priority for himself. My hon. Friend alluded to that, so I hope that he will forgive me if I spend a few moments towards the end of my speech telling the House about our progress on the deregulation initiative. It is an important matter which falls within the general title of the debate.
          The Government's privatisation programme, as my hon. Friend mentioned, goes back almost 14 years and stems from the strong belief that enterprise flourishes best and provides better services to customers if management is free to manage without interference from the Government in commercial matters. Privatisation is a natural partner to deregulation. Our privatisation programme has released 46 major companies and many more smaller businesses from the straitjacket of state control. Bureaucratic and political interference in commercial decisions have been cast off. Since privatisation, the companies have had the freedom to grow and to develop within the discipline of a competitive market.
          The benefits of privatisation have been clearly demonstrated by improvement in the performance of individual companies, whether in productivity, profitability or better-quality products. My hon. Friend mentioned electricity prices. Domestic prices have risen slightly in real terms by 2·5 per cent. in total, but the director general is reviewing the supply price control which is due to be revised on 1 April. As Minister with responsibility for telecommunications, I am far more familiar with BT. There has been a dramatic fall in prices in telecommunications across the board. There is no doubt that privatisation has generally resulted in a much better service being available to the consumer and in a fall in prices. Above all, it has resulted in much greater investment, especially in the water companies and in telecommunications.
          New regulatory regimes have been created for the utilities. New markets in utility services have been created and the monopoly element of the businesses needs special attention in the interests of customers and to provide incentives to increased efficiency. The regulators have an important role in promoting competition in the new markets and providing opportunities for new entrants to introduce new ideas and services to the benefit of customers. It has been recognised that regulation is in itself a barrier to entry in the markets. Our objective has been to

          1113
          promote the minimum regulation necessary to provide proper protection for customers while enhancing the prospects of competitive development of the markets.
          My hon. Friend referred to the Post Office. As he is aware, I am the Minister with responsibility for the Post Office, so I shall deal briefly with that subject. As my hon. Friend agrees, the Post Office is now doing an excellent job. The quality of the first-class service has risen from 74·5 per cent. next-day delivery in 1988–89 to 91·7 per cent. between April 1992 and January 1993. This is the 18th year of subsidy-free profit. Profitability has increased from about £86 million in 1989–90 to £247 million in 1991–92. We have the most comprehensive network of post office counters in Europe and the average queuing time is now just two minutes.
          However, the Post Office is facing a period of considerable change and great challenge in the marketplace. Postal services are facing increasing competition from the telecommunications sector. Direct mail marketing, an important part of Royal Mail's volumes, is facing competition from magazine and television advertising. The Post Office must be free to respond to such changes and challenges. It was the realisation of these new opportunities and the need for the Post Office to be able to meet the challenges which prompted the Government to conduct a review of the future organisation and structure of the Post Office.
          As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced the review of Royal Mail and Post Office Counters last July. Let me make it clear to my hon. Friend—as he specifically raised the point today—that that should not necessarily be taken as implying that the Post Office will be privatised. It is no secret that we are looking at options to privatise Royal Mail and Post Office Counters, but we are looking at continued public sector ownership as well as private sector options. No final decisions have been taken and what my hon. Friend has said today will clearly be of great interest to us.
          Although the question of the ownership of the Post Office is important, another issue that we are having to consider is the competitive environment in which the future Post Office will operate, whether it is in the private or the public sector. We accept that a degree of monopoly protection for letters is necessary to permit the continuation of a universal service with delivery to every address in the country within a uniform and affordable tariff. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that, as far as the public is concerned, that is the most important issue that we have to address. Whatever may be our views on the question of ownership, that is what the public cares about and what we must ensure. I assure my hon. Friend that the Government are wholly committed to those objectives. They are not negotiable and we believe that restrictions are necessary if they are to be achieved.
          Although I am always keen to examine the potential scope for deregulation—and we are, indeed, committed to permitting more competition—I do not think that, in the case of mail services, full deregulation is appropriate.
          1114
          I hope that that reassures my hon. Friend. We looked at the matter carefully. The tenor of much of my hon. Friend's speech was that he thinks that, in certain cases, we have tried to deregulate too much. Clearly, in conducting the review, we examined the Post Office carefully. One conclusion that we reached was that full deregulation of the Post Office is impossible. The outcome for rural postal users of a free-for-all would be higher prices and poorer quality of service. I appreciate that my hon. Friend represents an urban constituency, but I suspect that if there were full deregulation of postal services, there could even be some diminution of service in suburban areas such as the area of north London that he represents.
          We cannot allow the future provision of our social commitments to be an act of faith or to be provided in a haphazard fashion—but nor will we allow necessary restrictions on competition to become an abuse of monopoly power. That is why we made a commitment in the citizens charter to the creation of a postal regulator to oversee and enforce the provision of a universal service. Even here, however, we are keen to avoid over-regulation. I assure my hon. Friend that we shall not be unleashing a regulator on the multitude of private parcel carriers and delivery services. The role of the regulator will be to police the universal service and to ensure that the Post Office competes fairly where the market can sustain competition.
          My hon. Friend made a point of referring to the Post Office. As the Minister responsible, I am glad that he did so. I hope that my few remarks have reassured him that we are not rushing in where angels fear to tread and that we have conducted the most careful review possible of all the options. As my hon. Friend said, we have consulted widely, and I am grateful for what he said in his usual shrewd and assiduous way.
          A factor that nationalised industries, privatised industries and private sector companies have in common is that they must all operate more or less under the general regulatory regime existing today. It is a tribute to them all that they have managed so well despite the regulatory burden that has been allowed to accumulate under successive Governments. There is evidence that the rate of accumulation of regulations has been accelerating in the United Kingdom, as it has in many other advanced economies. The consequent burden stifles enterprise and distracts business from its proper task of supplying competitive goods and services.
          It is important that we unite both inside the Government and outside to concentrate on the deregulation initiative, and we will do so in a considered manner. We have already drawn up a domesday book of regulations. It has been placed in the Library and my hon. Friend can consult it. The initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will prove to be one of the most important and most successful aspects of this Government. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East for initiating this debate.
          Question put and agreed to.
          Adjourned accordingly at Three o'clock.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates (Resignations)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates resigned for reasons other than age in each quarter since January 1988.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the Lord Chancellor's area of responsibility, the figures for each of the quarters referred to, save for this year and the first quarter of 1992 cannot be given without disproportionate cost. Figures for the Duchy of Lancaster, where available, are shown in brackets. The number of losses for the years in the question and for the first quarter of 1992 and 1993, but excluding those justices who reached the statutory retirement age, are as follows:

  Number

  1988

  659

  1989

  799

  1990

  794

  1991

  820 (167)

  First quarter

  1992

  256 (40)

  1992

  1,034 (165)

  First quarter

  1993

  261 (37)

EDUCATION

  Osteopathy
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what sources of funding are available to students who wish to pursue osteopathy courses.

  Mr. Boswell
  Students on designated full-time first degree and equivalent level courses in osteopathy are eligible for a mandatory award and a student loan on the terms prescribed in the relevant regulations. Other students may apply to their local education authority for a discretionary award, the availability and amount of which is for the authority to determine.

  Special Needs Education
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he is giving to the report from the National Curriculum Council: "Special Needs and the national curriculum: Opportunity and Challenge"; if he will extend the national curriculum to take account of the recommendation of this report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  This leaflet, which the National Curriculum Council has recently sent to my right hon. Friend, summarises a wide-ranging review of issues concerning the 578
  relationship of pupils with special educational needs to the national curriculum. It highlights some important matters and suggests some ways forward for schools.

  The national curriculum is appropriate for the great majority of children. A very small number may not he able to study across the whole of its range, or reach the levels generally appropriate to their age, and arrangements are in place to allow the modification of the curriculum as appropriate to each individual child.

  In respect of exceptionally able children, there is no need for the modification of the curriculum to enable them to work at an appropriate pace and challenge, since the national curriculum sets out only a minimum entitlement, and schools are free to extend this work with individual children.

  My right hon. Friend agrees with the National Curriculum Council that involvement in the national curriculum in itself means that pupils' entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum is addressed.

  Conductive Education
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will publish the report by Birmingham university on the effectiveness of conductive education as practised at the Institute for Conductive Education in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I am pleased to be able to announce that the full report, containing a description of the methodology of the research and details of its findings, will he published today. Copies of the report are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Teachers
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the figures for teacher numbers and vacancies for January 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patten
  The annual survey of teacher numbers and vacancies shows that teacher numbers in England rose between January 1992 and January 1993, and that the vacancy rates in January 1993 were the lowest ever recorded. Vacancies have fallen to only 1,343 this year. This is good news for schools. It represents a further 30 per cent. fall in vacancies, to little more than one vacancy for every 20 schools. The fall is even more marked in mathematics, science and modern foreign languages. Provisional teacher numbers in LEA-maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools and self-governing state schools rose by 0·2 per cent. from 394,900 full-time equivalent teachers in January 1992 to 395,600. The estimated overall pupil to teacher ratio is 17·66: 1.

  I am placing fuller details of the vacancy figures in the Library.

TRANSPORT

  Reclaim the Streets Campaign
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Ministers in his Department have received a London Transport travelcard from the Reclaim the Streets Action Campaign; and what use each of those Ministers who received one made of the card for official journeys by(a) bus (b) tube or (c) rail in the week including 15 May.
  579
  Mr. Norris
  I and my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Transport have received London Transport travelcards from the Reclaim the Streets Action Campaign. It would not be appropriate to accept these cards. We shall therefore be returning them to the campaign organisers.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue will be raised from vehicle excise duty in 1993.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The latest forecast for the financial year 1993–94 is £3,690 million net.

  Oxleas Wood
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department expects to reply to the letters from. the hon. Member for Greenwich concerning Oxleas wood, dated 13 October 1992 and 3 March 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  I have written today to the hon. Member to explain that I had thought it right to delay my reply until matters in the Court of Appeal and with the European Commission have been resolved.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the reports commissioned from private consultants concerning the crossrail proposals.

  Mr. Norris
  No. The reports contain commercially sensitive information. If it is decided that crossrail should proceed as a joint venture with the private sector, a great deal of the information will be published.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to make an announcement as to the location of the new midlands channel tunnel terminal.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a commercial matter for British Rail in co-operation with the private sector. The Government have no plans at present to make an announcement.

  Buses
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of pollution from diesel exhaust emissions of buses one year old up to seven years old.

  Mr. Freeman
  No assessment has been made which specifically addresses pollution arising from buses. However, the Department has an extensive research programme looking at control technology and other measures to reduce emissions. In the light of the results of this research, the Government will consider the need for a feasibility of establishing emission requirements for specific categories of vehicles, for example buses, operating in the urban environment.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of buses currently in 580
  operation which are not controlled by European Community legislation on account of the age of the vehicle.

  Mr. Freeman
  There is currently no European Community legislation relating specifically to the construction of buses, although buses are affected by a number of EC directives setting technical standards for various aspects of motor vehicles. We have no estimate of the number of buses affected, which will depend on the precise requirements of the many directives in question, the date on which they came into effect and the manner in which they are applied in United Kingdom law.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Safety
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to the food industry in a full year of implementing the Food Safety Act 1990.

  Mr. Soames
  The Food Safety Act 1990 is an enabling piece of legislation which, of itself, does not require any additional expenditure by food businesses. The requirements that it places directly on businesses relating to food safety and consumer protection are couched in general terms, and are no more than any prudent well-run business would involve itself in as part of ensuring its good reputation with its customers. It is, therefore, not possible specifically to identify the cost to the industry of complying with the Act.

  Research Strategy Documents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many copies of his departmental reports on(a) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food environmental research strategy and requirement document 1993–95 and (b) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food arable crops and horticulture research strategy document 1993–95 have been printed; at what cost; and to whom they have been distributed.

  Mr. Curry
  One thousand five hundred copies of(a) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food environmental research strategy and requirement document 1993–95 and 800 copies of (b) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food arable crops and horticulture research strategy document 1993–95 have been printed, at a total cost of £3,880. They have been distributed to contractors and other parties known to have an interest in research and development, and publicised more widely by means of a press notice.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to seek the adoption in the European Community of siphoning on transfers of milk quotas so as to provide a pool of quotas for new entrants under the age of 40 years into farming in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Curry
  The Government have no plans to do so. However, we shall be looking to see whether any lessons
  581
  for milk quotas may be drawn from experience in the operation of quotas in the sheep and suckler cow sectors, where arrangements for new entrants have been proposed.

  Research Expenditure
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cuts in expenditure in near-market strategic and basic research have been implemented since 1978; and if he will list the size of his Ministry's budget and the numbers of projects and

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Subject area

  £ million cash

  £ million real1terms

  £ million cash

  £ million real1terms

  £ million cash

  £ million real1terms

  Protecting the countryside

  1·6 (16)

  1·6

  1·7 (19)

  1·6

  1·7 (20)

  1·6

  Farm woodland and set aside

  2·7 (20)

  2·7

  2·7 (21)

  2·5

  2·8 (16)

  2·6

  Protecting water supplies and rivers

  7·1 (39)

  7·1

  8·1 (61)

  7·8

  7·9 (60)

  7·4

  Soil protection

  1·5 (16)

  1·5

  1·4 (21)

  1·4

  1·7 (19)

  1·6

  Protecting the air

  1·6 (15)

  1·6

  1·6 (15)

  1·5

  1·8 (17)

  1·7

  Pest and pesticides

  21·3(174)

  21·3

  22·2(172)

  21·5

  20·0(158)

  18·8

  Flood and coastal defence and climate change

  3·0 (63)

  3·0

  3·7 (76)

  3·6

  4·0 (71)

  3·7

  Marine protection

  3·5 (32)

  3·5

  3·6 (31)

  3·5

  3·8 (29)

  3·6

  Genetic conservation and modification at RBG. Kew

  8·7 (—)

  8·7

  10·3 (—)

  10·0

  9·1 (·)

  8·6

  Protecting fisheries

  4·7 (81)

  4·7

  5·1 (69)

  5·0

  5·2 (67)

  4·9

  Totals

  55·8(456)

  55·8

  60·4(485)

  58·4

  58·0(457)

  54·5

  1 Using GDP deflator 1991–92= 100.

  Figures for years before 1991–92 are not available in the form requested.

  No information is held centrally about the number of personnel employed on each subject area.

  Bovine Eyes
  Mr. Roger Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether bovine eyes are used in food for human consumption in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am aware of the suggestion that bovine eyes are used in meat products. All the main meat industry organisations have assured me that they have no evidence of any use of bovine eyes in food. Moreover, the British Meat Manufacturers Association has pointed out that under its accredited standard scheme eyes are totally banned from use in meat preparations and meat products by their members.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Northern Ireland Electricity
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to privatise the Northern Ireland electricity service; what estimate of asset proceeds he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The first phase of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Northern Ireland—the trade sale of the four existing power stations to three private sector companies—was completed in March 1992. The 582
  personnel employed with respect to each of the subject areas outlined in "MAFF NR 143/91" in nominal and real terms for each year since 1978.

  Mr. Gummer
  Research projects are not classified routinely in the terms specified in the question. However, near-market projects, by definition, would seldom, if ever, be expected to fall into the strategic or basic research categories.

  My Department's expenditure in cash and real terms on environmental R and D by subject area is set out in the table. The number of projects is shown in brackets. Individual projects differ in value.

  second phase—the floatation of Northern Ireland Electricity plc on the stock exchange—is due to take place in June 1993. The sale of the four power stations realised some £350 million. It is too early to provide an estimate of proceeds from the floatation of NIE plc, details of which will be announced in due course.

  Fishing Permits
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a concessionary rate game fishing permit for pensioners for Northern Ireland at the same level as is applicable in Great Britain.

  Mr. Hanley
  No. The legislation which governs angling licensing in Northern Ireland does not provide the flexibility to issue licences at concessionary rates except, in limited circumstances, to outside visitors.

PRIME MINISTER

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister when he now expects the report by the National Radiological Protection Board into the effects of radiation on veterans of British nuclear tests to be published; how this relates to the orginal envisaged publication date; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The National Radiological Protection Board anticipates that a report will be sent for
  583
  peer review to a recognised scientific journal in the late summer or early autumn of 1993, with a view to publication as soon as possible thereafter later in the year.

  Delays have been caused by changes in scope made by the National Radiological Protection Board to update their final report. These changes include the incorporation of all deaths of participants up to 1 January 1991 rather than 1 January 1989 as originally envisaged and of a detailed case study into the effects of emigration and a more complete check of mortality and cause of death.

  The Government are not aware of any evidence which would change the conclusions of the National Radiological Protection Board report published in 1988 that the overall incidence of cancer among nuclear test participants is no greater than that among the population as a whole.

  Child Migrant Trust
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister when he received the letter of 4 May from Nottinghamshire county council regarding the Child Migrant Trust; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The letter was received on 6 May and was acknowledged.

  Ms Beata Brookes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Prime Minister what reference he has made to the public appointments unit in relation to the appointment of Ms Beata Brookes as chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council in 1991; what account he has taken of whether the chairman of the Wales area of the Conservative and Unionist party carries out executive duties; and how his policy on such appointments has changed since his answer of 28 November 1991,Official Report, column 608.

  The Prime Minister
  The public appointments unit is consulted in seeking nominations for all appointments to public boards, including the chairmanship of the Welsh Consumer Council, as are a number of other bodies. As chairwoman of the Wales area of the Conservative and Unionist party, Miss Brookes is not an officer carrying out executive duties in the party. Her role does not, therefore, conflict with the long-standing and now publicly available guidelines for members of public boards on political activities. This is in line with the answer I gave on 28 November at column 608.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Allivane International
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1992,Official Report, column 77, whether Customs and Excise has decided upon prosecution against Allivane International.

  Sir John Cope
  No prosecution has been commenced against Allivane International.

  Indirect Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the retail prices index is expected to rise as a result of the increase in indirect taxes in the 584
  current Budget; and if he will disregard the effect of that increase on the rate of inflation in formulating his economic policies.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Budget measures add ¼ per cent. to the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments in 1993 compared with the autumn statement forecast, and a further ½ per cent. by the second quarter of 1994.

  The Government's objective is to keep underlying inflation within a range of 1 to 4 per cent., and to bring it down to the lower part of this range by the end of this Parliament; monetary policy will be set to achieve this.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislation to extend 100 per cent. of inheritance tax relief in respect of farms which are let.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current base rate in each EC member state.

  Mr. Nelson
  Short-term market interest rates in each European Community country were as follows on 12 May:

  Interest rates

  United Kingdom

  5·8

  Germany

  7·4

  France

  7·8

  Italy

  11·0

  Spain

  15·4

  Netherlands

  7·5

  Belgium

  7·2

  Denmark

  10·9

  Greece

  23·0

  Portugal

  18·0

  Ireland

  8·1

  Inflation
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation in each EC member state.

  Mr. Nelson
  Data for inflation rates in each European Community country are published in the OECD's main economic indicators. The latest figures show that only Denmark of the European Community countries has a lower headline inflation rate than the United Kingdom.

  Gilts
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about information on gilts and the gilt-edged market.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Bank of England will be issuing on 17 May a new guide providing information for institutional investors about gilts and the operation of the gilt-edged market.

  The costs of producing the booklet will fall to the Treasury's 1993–94 vote—class XVII, vote 1. parliamentary approval for this new expenditure will be sought in a

  585
  summer supplementary estimate. The resulting increase in the Treasury's cash limit and gross running costs limit will be fully offset by a reduction in the Bank of England's cash limit and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Ministerial Cars
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), of 26 February,Official Report, column 764, whether the rules regarding the provision of car benefits are in practice implemented for Ministers in exactly the same way as the Inland Revenue expects them to be implemented for employees in general.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]: The same rules apply to Ministers as to other employees, and the Inland Revenue seeks to apply the law even-handedly to Ministers and to others.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase for each of the 10 commodities whose prices have increased the most on the commodities markets since the pound left the exchange rate mechanism.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 10 May 1993]: Of the 30 main commodities that make up The Economist all-items commodity price index, the 10 that have increased in price the most since the 15 September 1992 are shown in the table.

  Commodity price rises: 15 September 1992 to 5 May 1993

  (Per cent.)

  Commodity

  Dollar prices

  SDR prices

  Sterling prices

  Timber

  90·1

  93·0

  126·9

  Sisal

  24·8

  26·7

  48·9

  Sugar

  22·3

  24·2

  46·0

  Groundnut oil

  17·9

  19·7

  40·7

  Coffee

  16·1

  17·9

  38·6

  Beef

  13·6

  15·4

  35·6

  Soyabean meal

  8·4

  10·1

  29·4

  Lamb

  7·9

  9·6

  28·8

  Soyabean oil

  6·2

  7·8

  26·7

  Cotton

  5·3

  6·9

  25·7

  All-items

  1·1

  4·1

  21·9

  Source: The Economist

  Company Cars
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what benefits-in-kind an employer should report on the form P11D in respect of an employee who is driven from home to his normal place of employment in a chauffeur-driven car provided by his employer.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 May 1993]: If the car is a pooled car and the journeys are merely incidental to the business use of the car, the employer should make no return.

  In other circumstances, the employer should return on form P11D the benefit of the car and the costs of the chauffeur.

  Whether or not an employee's private use of a car is incidental to its business use will depend on the facts of
  586
  each particular case. If employers or employees are in any doubt about the correct treatment, they should consult their tax office.

  European Community (Convergence)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what requests he has received from institutions of the European Community for a report on their programme for attaining convergence within the economies of the Community; what reply has been sent; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Nelson
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1993, c. 147]: The United Kingdom has today submitted a convergence programme. A copy of this programme is being placed in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Ministerial Cars
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if Ministers in his Department are ordinarily allocated their own ministerial car.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]: Ministers are provided with first-call cars from the Government car service pool.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Hosni E. Farhat
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received regarding the implications for administrative routines within the Law Officers Department of the case of Hosni E. Farhat.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Attorney-General what information he has on contacts between prosecution witnesses in the case of Hosni E. Farhat and Ahmed Gaddafi Aidain of Libya; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Unemployment Benefit (Appeals)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General how many appeals relating to unemployment benefit were heard by social security appeals tribunals in 1992; and in how many cases the appeal succeeded wholly or in part.

  Mr. Burt
  [holding answer 11 May 1993]: I have been asked to reply.

  Information is not available in the form requested. The latest information, which covers the first nine months of 1992, indicates that 12,327 unemployment benefit appeals were heard and decided of which 5,310 were decided in the appellant's favour.

HEALTH

  Regional Health Authorities (Consultancy Companies)
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to recover inappropriate loans and illegal payments to consultancy companies and related businesses employed by regional health authorities.
  587
  Mr. Sackville
  Recovery action is a matter for the authorities concerned. The Department closely monitors progress.

  GP Fund Holders
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the reasons for excluding terminations of pregnancy from the list of goods and services which general practitioner fund holders may purchase elsewhere when they are not available locally; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The list of goods and services is currently limited to procedures which all fund holders are required to purchase on behalf of their patients where clinically indicated. Some general practitioners for ethical reasons are unable to refer patients for termination of pregnancy and such GPs could not be required to purchase these services.

  Numbers of deaths of children under 18 years of age in England and Wales by age and sex registered in the years 1979 to 1991

  Year and sex

  Total deaths

  Age in years

  Under 1

  1 to 4

  5 to 9

  10 to 14

  15 to 17

  1979

  Male

  7,420

  4,731

  641

  602

  605

  841

  Female

  5,059

  3,447

  527

  368

  386

  331

  1980

  Male

  7,051

  4,471

  668

  517

  546

  849

  Female

  5,038

  3,428

  518

  349

  373

  370

  1981

  Male

  6,640

  4,119

  651

  447

  573

  850

  Female

  4,461

  2,902

  529

  302

  368

  360

  1982

  Male

  6,317

  3,914

  652

  391

  546

  814

  Female

  4,288

  2,861

  485

  253

  353

  336

  1983

  Male

  5,933

  3,654

  604

  391

  514

  770

  Female

  4,160

  2,727

  489

  269

  332

  343

  1984

  Male

  5,624

  3,443

  610

  348

  501

  722

  Female

  3,956

  2,594

  454

  260

  302

  346

  1985

  Male

  5,651

  3,510

  638

  328

  503

  672

  Female

  4,008

  2,631

  497

  260

  308

  312

  1986

  Male

  5,682

  3,724

  573

  325

  380

  680

  Female

  3,890

  2,589

  491

  248

  272

  290

  1987

  Male

  5,580

  3,637

  578

  309

  404

  652

  Female

  3,878

  2,635

  489

  237

  246

  271

  1988

  Male

  5,639

  3,649

  587

  374

  402

  627

  Female

  3,866

  2,621

  498

  232

  218

  297

  1989

  Male

  5,318

  3,368

  606

  371

  337

  636

  Female

  3,641

  2,440

  472

  241

  226

  262

  1990

  Male

  5,105

  3,207

  593

  333

  338

  634

  Female

  3,499

  2,357

  434

  220

  230

  258

  1991

  Male

  4,771

  2,966

  554

  341

  354

  556

  Female

  3,350

  2,192

  439

  248

  222

  249

  588

  Alternative Medicine
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to health authorities and general practice fund holders on the purchase of complementary and alternative medical services.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Our guidance makes it clear that we expect general practitioner fund holders to purchase high-quality and cost-effective care. We have not issued guidance on purchasing specific services as this is a matter of clinical judgment. Fund holders may employ alternative practitioners using the staff element of their fund.

  Child Mortality
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of deaths of children under 18 years by age and sex, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.
  589

  Year and sex

  Total deaths

  Age in years

  Under 1

  1 to 4

  5 to 9

  10 to 14

  15 to 17

  1992

  Male

  4,147

  2,606

  487

  302

  322

  430

  Female

  2,953

  1,933

  387

  214

  199

  220

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) male and (b) female consultants are working between one and 11 sessions per week, broken down by number of sessions.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Hospital medical consultants by contracted notional half-days (NHD) England—30 September 1991

  Consultants

  NHD

  Male

  Female

  Under 1

  15

  5

  1 to less than 2

  54

  6

  2 to less than 3

  32

  16

  3 to less than 4

  53

  22

  4 to less than 5

  45

  19

  5 to less than 6

  98

  73

  6 to less than 7

  92

  102

  7 to less than 8

  97

  72

  8 to less than 9

  105

  81

  9 to less than 10

  397

  105

  10 to less than 11

  17

  0

  11

  10,891

  1,829

  Total

  11,895

  2,329

  Note:

  (a) Figures do not include honorary consultants

  (b) Totals do not add due to rounding up/down

  (c) Both full-time and maximum part-time consultants are shown as working 11 NHDs.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) male and (b) female consultants are working part and full time.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is shown in the table.

  Hospital medical consultants by sex and nature of contract England (whole-lime equivalent) 30 September 1991

  Consultants

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Full time

  6,328

  1,452

  7,780

  Maximum part time

  4,563

  377

  4,940

  Part time

  1,004

  500

  1,504

  Total

  11,895

  2,329

  14,224

  Note: Figures do not include honorary consultants.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to reject any proposals to end payments of allowances to pharmacists who dispense fewer than 2,000 prescriptions a month.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are exploring a range of options for restructuring pharmacists' pay. Consultations are continuing and no options have yet been ruled out.
  590

  Pharmacies (West Midlands)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of pharmacies in the west midlands; and how many dispense fewer than 2,000 prescriptions a month.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In the west midlands, all the 227 pharmacists dispensed fewer than 2,000 prescriptions a month in 1991–92, the latest year for which figures are available.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many in-patients were treated by the national health service in England in 1992 and in 1979;

  (2) how many out-patients were treated by the national health service in England in 1992 and in 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1991–92, there were 7,759,000 in-patients and 36,941,000 out-patients treated in the NHS in England. This information is based on counts of finished consultant episodes. In 1979, 5,400,000 in-patients and 34,100,000 out-patients were treated. In-patient information for 1979 is based on numbers of discharges and deaths and is, therefore, not directly comparable.

  Source:

  1979 In-patients Form SH3

  1991–92 KP70 Finished Consultant Episodes (these figures include over 500,000 well babies)

  Out-patients 1979 Form SH3, 1991–92 K H09 and KH18 Returns

  Operations
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations the national health service performed in England in 1992 and in 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1989–90, the latest year for which information is available, an estimated 3·8 million non-maternity operations were performed in the national health service in England. The information is based on counts of finished consultant episodes. In 1979, there were 2·5 million non-maternity operations. Information for 1979 is based on numbers of discharges and deaths and is, not therefore, directly comparable.

  Source: Hospital In-Patient Enquiry 1979

  Hospital Episode Statistics 1989–90

  Deaf People (Sight Tests)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which representatives of deaf and hard of hearing people she consulted prior to her decision to exclude them from free sight tests;

  (2) what representations she received from deaf and hard of hearing people concerning the introduction of charges for eye tests.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We are not aware that any representations were made by deaf and hard of hearing people when charges for sight tests were introduced on 1 April 1989; nor were their representatives consulted.
  591

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many transplants were carried out in the years 1991 and 1992 of(a) kidneys, (b) hearts, (c) livers and (d) hearts and lungs;

  (2) what estimate she has of how many people died in the years 1991 and 1992 while waiting for organ transplants.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows the numbers of solid organ transplants carried out in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 19921.

  Year

  Cadaver ic kidneys

  Hearts

  Livers

  Hearts and lungs

  Lungs

  1991

  1,628

  281

  420

  79

  72

  1992

  1,641

  301

  501

  53

  89

  1 Figures supplied by United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority. 1992 figures are provisional.

  There are no figures available centrally on people who die while waiting for kidney transplantation, but in 1991, the only year for which such figures are available, deaths of people awaiting other organs were as follows: hearts 69, livers 33, hearts and lungs 41, lungs 161. Causes of death are not recorded.

  Hospital and community health services (HCHS) Expenditure on computers and computing

  £ thousands (cash)

  Purchase of hardware and operational software

  Revenue Maintenance of hardware and software (including licensing fees)

  Contract services

  Capital Purchase of hardware and operational software

  £ thousands

  £ thousands

  £ thousands

  £ thousands

  1990–91

  61,538

  44,216

  28,809

  119,233

  1991–92

  49,871

  65,268

  35,281

  1 31,710

  1 Main frame systems only. Excludes an element within a total of £103·5 million for office and information technology equipment. (Note 2 to the table refers).

  General medical services—expenditure on computers

  Year

  £000 (cash)

  1990–91

  17,449

  1991–92

  34,117

  Sources:

  a. Annual accounts (1990–91) and annual financial returns (1991–92) of regional and district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  b. 1991–92 annual financial returns of the first wave NHS Trusts.

  c. Financial information system (FIS) returns of family health services authorities (1990–91 and 1991–92).

  Notes to the table:

  1. HCHS covers all services directly managed or accounted for by the health authorities (and NHS Trusts) including hospital, community health, patient transport (ie ambulance), blood transfusion and other services.

  2. The HCHS figures for 1991–92 (which are derived from annual financial returns rather than accounts) are provisional. Following the introduction of capital asset accounting and changes to the analyses provided in annual financial returns the figure for capital expenditure is not comparable with that for 1990–91. It represents expenditure only on mainframe information technology (IT) systems and excludes additional expenditure on computers within a total of some £103·5 million for "office and IT equipment" and which is not separately identifiable centrally. Revenue "purchases" may include elements for

  592

  Sefton General Hospital
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are treated annually at Sefton general hospital's chest clinic; how wide is the catchment area from which they are drawn; how many staff are employed in the unit; where it is to be relocated; what is the future of the jobs of the clinic staff; and what estimate has been made of travelling times and costs of patients currently being treated at Sefton general.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. D. H. Tod, the chairman of Liverpool health authority, for details.

  Computers
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual expenditure within the national health service on(a) computers in hospital and (b) computers in general practice for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 27 April 1993]: The available information for 1990–91 and 1991–92 is shown in the table.

  rent and leasing.

  3. The figures for general medical services are the costs of direct reimbursements made by family health service authorities to general medical practitioners for computers.

  4. The table excludes costs incurred by family health services authorities on their administrative functions etc., and by special health authorities providing central services to the national health service.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability, Living Allowance
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the turnround of correspondence relating to disability living allowance applications met his targets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The arrangements for replying to correspondence relating to operational questions on disability living allowance are a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  593
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 13 May 1993:
  As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the targets for the turnround of correspondence on Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  I would refer to my letter to you of 25 February 1993 in response to an earlier question from you on this matter (Official Report 25 February 1993, Column 751). As I explained in that letter, the Agency is responding to the majority of letters on DLA now being received from Members within 20 working days. In April 61 per cent. of the letters I sent on DLA were within the 20 day target. In additiion the DLA Unit is now responding within 20 working days on 79 per cent. of the letters they receive direct from Members.
  The percentage of cases cleared within 20 days is continuing to increase. It is my firm intention that by the end of May the vast majority of letters on DLA will be replied to within the 20 day target.
  I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings would be made by restricting child benefit to households which have total incomes of(a) 80 per cent., (b) 100 per cent., (c) 120 per cent of (i) average earnings and (ii) average household income.

  Mr. Burt
  If child benefit were restricted to households with less than(a) 80 per cent., (b) 100 per cent., and (c) 120 per cent. of average gross male earnings, it is estimated that benefit savings of (a) £4 billion, (b) £3·2 billion and (c) £2·4 billion would accrue.

  If child benefit were restricted to households with less than (a) 80 per cent., (b) 100 per cent., and (c) 120 per cent. of average gross household income, it is estimated that benefit savings of (a) £3·9 billion, (b) £3 billion and (c) £2·2 billion would accrue.

  The estimates are made at 1993–94 levels, based on 1988, 1989, and 1990 family expenditure surveys, and the 1992 new earnings survey. The estimates assume that families in receipt of income-related benefits are not compensated for any loss in child benefit.

WALES

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been total sales proceeds from the sale of council houses in Wales to date since 1981; and how much has been(a) allocated from proceeds to develop social housing and (b) held in local authority bank accounts or short-term investments.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Between 1 April 1981 and 31 March 1992, receipts including the repayment of principal on local authority mortgages from the sale of council housing amounted to £793 million. Information on the allocation of the receipts from the sale of council housing to develop social housing and the amounts held in local authority bank accounts or short-term investments is not held centrally.
  594

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated asset base of local authority housing stock in Wales net of debt.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the value of local authority housing stock is not collected centrally. However, the national value of housing revenue account dwellings at 1 April 1993, net of accumulated debt, was assumed, for HRA subsidy purposes only, to be £4·5 billion.

  Consultancy Services
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the operation of and future of consultancy services provided under the enterprise initiative in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The consultancy services available under the enterprise initiative are provided by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and delivered in Wales on his behalf by the Welsh Development Agency. On 10 March, my right hon. Friend announced that the scheme will continue until 31 March 1994 with reduced rates of subsidy, thus allowing development of a new and more flexible package of support services within the available resources.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to encourage the growth of the small business sector in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  As well as helping entrepreneurs set up new businesses through the business start-up programme, I support a broad range of measures designed to help existing small businesses to grow. Measures include regional selective assistance, regional enterprise grant, Enterprise Wales consultancy support, overseas trade missions and export advice, skills development support and technology initiatives.

  In October 1992, I set up the enterprise and business support working group with representatives from the public and private sectors. The group has been comprehensively reviewing business support services in Wales and will shortly be making recommendations, particularly about improving access for the small business man to available assistance. A range of other measures which assist the small business sector include:

  Regional Selective Assistance, Regional Enterprise Grant
  Small businesses continue to take advantage of the help available under regional selective assistance. In the year to end of April 1993, 124 small firms, employing up to 200 people, accepted offers of RSA. The value of these offers amount to £21·7 million. A further 156 small firms, employing fewer than 25 people, or 50 in the case of innovation projects, accepted offers of regional enterprise grant totalling £2·24 million.

  Enterprise Wales
  Launched in January 1988, the consultancy initiatives have proved extremely popular in Wales. More than 6,476 companies have applied. In 1992–93 alone, 1,299 applicants were received, 30 per cent. above the economic weight, and 1,186 business reviews were commissioned, 42 per cent. above the economic weight.
  595
  Overseas Trade Services
  My Department's overseas trade services branch provides in Wales those export advisory services which are made available by the Department of Trade and Industry in England. In addition, I have recently introduced for small and medium-sized enterprises based in Wales, a programme of 24 subsidised trade missions over the next three years.
  A trade fair representative service, which allows small firms to place their literature at selected trade fairs, which I initiated last year, has already begun to pay dividends for many of the participating firms.

  Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology (SMART)
  The number of small Welsh companies which received a SMART stage I award during the past 12 months was 16, and nine companies received the SMART stage 2 awards. The maximum value of each stage 1 award is £45,000 and the maximum award is £60,000. On a per-capita basis, Wales has continued to do better than most other regions in this annual competition, receiving about 9 per cent. of the total awards nationwide.

  Support for Products Under Research (SPUR)
  This scheme, which was introduced in 1991 is intended to support highly innovative projects by companies employing up to 500 persons. During the second year of its operation, offers of financial assistance were made to nine Welsh companies, to a total value of £960,443.

  Managing in the 90s
  Managing in the 90s is an umbrella scheme encompassing a number of programmes designed to encourage the growth of small and medium sized businesses. Initially focusing on four areas of industrial performance—design, production, purchasing and quality—it has recently been expanded to include marketing and new product introduction.

  WDA and DBRW
  The Welsh Development Agency provides established small businesses with advice and financial support to assist their growth, helps them to establish business links in other EC countries and helps them to exploit new technologies. The agency also seeks to ensure that an adequate supply of industrial and commercial workspace is available.
  The Development Board for Rural Wales has delivered a comprehensive programme to stimulate interest in business creation and to help business start-ups. This has been achieved by establishing a network of seven business centres in partnership with the region's local authorities and local enterprise agencies. In 1992–93 the agencies provided a total of £273,000 in direct grant support to Wales's 22 local enterprise agencies.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  The training and enterprise councils in Wales are responsible for running a range of measures which assist small businesses. They are continuing to develop provision to help new and existing businesses to acquire and build on skills which will enable them to compete and grow. During the last financial year, Welsh TECs trained more than 12,700 owner-managers and helped more than 2,676 people to start their own new businesses. In addition TECs handled over 41,000 inquiries through business information services and provided 8,800 counselling sessions for new and existing small businesses.

  Disability Payments
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to empower local authorities in Wales to make direct payments to people with disabilities following the completion of needs assessments.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No. Now is not the time to be adding to local authorities' very full agendas. Direct payments are, and should continue to be, the province of the social security system.
  596

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Welsh Office made known the necessity of completion of the integrated administration and control system forms to Welsh farmers and the farming unions.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Following the publication in December of the Commission regulations on the integrated administration and control system, Agriculture Departments issued a joint press notice on 13 January announcing further details of the claim procedures for arable aid payments. In the same notice, we alerted livestock producers to the fact that they, too, would need to comply with the general arrangements relating to IACS.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what day the European Community directive for the preparation of integrated administration and control system forms was communicated to the Welsh Office.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The governing Commission regulations were published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 31 December 1992.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Welsh Office made known to Welsh farmers and the farming unions that the integrated administration and control system forms should be completed using black ink; and when that requirement was communicated to the Welsh Office by the European Commission.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The explanatory booklet on the integrated administration and control system, available from 2 April, advises farmers to make copies of the forms they submit and, therefore, recommends that they are completed clearly and in black ink in order to make photocopying easier.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Toxic Waste Exports
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the forms of industrial toxic waste exported from the United Kingdom and their destinations, identifying third world destinations separately, and the quantities involved, over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to her of 19 April 1993,Official Report, column 44.

  Animal Experimentation (Cosmetics)
  Mr. Hoon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to support any moves to strengthen the common position on the proposed cosmetics directive with respect to the phasing out of cosmetic tests on animals when it is discussed by the Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Leigh
  The common position on the proposed sixth Council amendment to the EC cosmetics directive agreed by the member states under the United Kingdom presidency last year represents a fair and reasonable balance between the concerns of those who wish to phase out testing on animals of the ingredients of personal care products and the need to protect the consumer by ensuring
  597
  that alternative non-animal tests are validated. I do not believe there is scope for strengthening the measure without jeopardising the proposal as a whole.

  Trading Standards
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to British industry of implementing the trading standards regulations.

  Mr. Leigh
  No such estimate has yet been made. However, as part of the deregulation initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry is reviewing all the regulations for which it is responsible.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions were brought by trading standards officers in each of the last five years; and what percentage of(a) cases and (b) contested cases resulted in prosecution.

  Mr. Leigh
  In England and Wales the numbers of prosecutions brought by trading standards departments have been as follows:

  Numbers

  1987–88

  10,921

  1988–89

  12,682

  1989–90

  9,921

  1990–91

  10,469

  1991–92

  10,425

  In Scotland, the numbers of prosecutions resulting from investigations made by standards trading departments and brought by the Crown through the procurators fiscal have been as follows:

  Numbers

  1987–88

  355

  1988–89

  383

  1989–90

  300

  1990–91

  220

  1991–92

  267

  Information about the number and outcome of comparable prosecutions in Northern Ireland and about the outcome of prosecutions in England, Wales and Scotland is not readily available.

  Deregulation Task Forces
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what remuneration or other benefits and expenses the members of the deregulation task forces receive; and on what basis such remunerations were calculated.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The chairmen and members of the deregulation task forces receive no remuneration, but are eligible to apply for travel and subsistence expenses on standard civil service terms.

  Area

  Licensing round

  Northern

  Central

  Southern

  Drill by

  10th

  0

  4

  0

  1993

  11th

  41

  60

  47

  1995

  12th and subsequent

  13

  75

  66

  1997–2000

  598
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade from what date the six months life of the deregulation task forces is regarded as commencing.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The deregulation task forces were launched on 19 March 1993.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the membership of each deregulation task force, and the approximate number of regulations allocated to each task force.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  A complete list of deregulation task force members has been placed in the Library. Each task force has been surveying the whole range of Government regulation as it applies to its sector.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it will be open to deregulation task forces to propose extensions of existing legal provisions.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The deregulation task forces are free to make any recommendations they wish, within their broad remit to advise Ministers on priorities for deregulation and on ensuring a continuing voice for business in the regulatory process.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is his intention to publish the reports of the deregulation task forces.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The deregulation task forces will not be producing formal reports. They will be giving advice to Ministers which will feed into the public debate on deregulation.

  Car Exports
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cars were exported from Britain to Japan in 1978 and in 1992.

  Mr. Needham
  In 1992, more than 11,700 passenger cars were exported from Britain to Japan, compared with almost 3,400 cars exported to Japan in 1978.

  Offshore Oil and Gas
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of commitment wells required to be drilled by each licensee in each United Kingdom continental shelf sector under existing licences granted by his Department; and for what period these wells are to be drilled.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 10 May 1993]: The total number of commitment wells outstanding as at 16 March 1993, to be drilled by licensees on the United Kingdom continental shelf, is 306, as follows:
  599
  As licence commitments are commercial-in-confidence, I am unable to supply the numbers by individual licensee.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many obligations remain outstanding for drilling(a) firm and (b) contingent wells under the 11th and 12th United Kingdom offshore licensing rounds.

  Mr. Eggar
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1993, c. 493]I have now been informed that there are 296 outstanding obligation wells from the 1lth and 12th rounds of offshore licensing. Of these, 185 are firm obligations and 111 are conditional.

  Welsh Consumer Council
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the annual salary of the chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council.

  Mr. Leigh
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]The appointment of chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council attracts a salary of £4,600 per annum, plus as a member of the National Consumer Council, an additional £4,600 per annum, both of which are subject to tax and national insurance.

  "The Observer"
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement on the proposed sale of The Observer.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1993, c. 560–61]: I have today received an application for my consent to the proposed transfer of The Observer newspaper to Guardian Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of The Guardian and Manchester Evening News plc. The application invites me to give my consent without a Monopolies and Mergers Commission reference under section 58(3)(a) of the Fair Trading Act 1973. This section gives me discretion to consent to a newspaper transfer without an MMC inquiry where I am satisfied that the newspaper concerned is not economic as a going concern and as a separate newspaper, and that, if the paper is to continue, the case is one of urgency.

  I should like to reach a decision as quickly as possible on whether the application falls within section 58(3)(a) of the Act, and if so whether I should give my consent without requiring an MMC report. I am, therefore, inviting comments from interested parties by 21 May. Any person wishing to comment should write by 5 pm on 21 May to:

  Mr P Sack

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Competition Policy Division 1B

  Room 534

  Ashdown House

  123 Victoria Street

  London SW1E 6RB

  Fax: 071–215 6565

  600

SCOTLAND

  Gruinard Island
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Gruinard island off Wester Ross was de-crofted during the time it was under Government control; if it was returned to crofting status when it was returned to its previous owner; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My Department has no information on the precise status of Gruinard island when the land was originally acquired by the then Ministry of Supply. The Crofters Commission has no record of the island ever being under crofting tenure. Under the Crofting Acts, any person with an interest may refer to the Scottish Land Court questions as to whether a holding is a croft.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance or advice he is making available to the agricultural industry for schemes to minimise water pollution.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]: The code of good practice "Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity" which the Government published in March 1992 gives comprehensive advice to farmers. Advice may also be obtained from the Scottish Agricultural College.

  Grants of up to 50 per cent. are available under the farm and conservation grant scheme towards the cost of waste management facilities.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has commissioned or is conducting into the effects of agriculture on water quality in Scotland; and what sums have been allocated to such research.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]: The following projects currently form part of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department's commissioned programme of agricultural and related research and development:

  Measurement, modelling and prevention of transfer of pollutants from land to aquatic systems.

  Development of methods and a computer programme for treatment of livestock wastes and regulation of waste management systems.

  Protozoan, bacterial and viral pathogens, farm animal wastes and water quality protection.

  Biological mechanisms in mass algal cultures controlling the emission of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon from animal wastes.

  Use of photobioreactor to investigate the influence of irradiance, light/dark cycles and carbon dioxide concentration on the growth of microalgae and their application to waste treatment and biotechnology.

  The effect of livestock farming (beef and dairy cattle) activities on catchment water quality.

  Use of geographical information systems techniques with process-based environmental assessment procedures for water quality modelling.

  Quantifying sources and sinks of acidity under selected hill land use, and their effects on water quality and quantity.

  Quantifying the principal hydrological and hydrochemical consequences of forestry in relation to soil type, atmospheric inputs and management practices.

  Water resource modelling: the effect of land use change and atmospheric deposition.

  Economic analysis of the effect of agricultural pollution on water quality and the potential for its control.

  601

  Operational research and modelling studies of environmental problems associated with silage effluent, slurry and other pollutants.

  The current cost of these projects in 1993–94 is estimated to be about £0·9 million.

  In addition, the Scottish Office Environment Department is funding research which is likely to improve understanding of the effects of agriculture on water quality. The work includes a study of nutrient transport in estuaries. £54,000 will be allocated to these projects in 1993–94.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects of agriculture on water quality in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 13 May 1993]: Figures compiled by the Scottish farm waste liaison group show that in 1992 there were 400 water pollution incidents arising from agricultural operations compared with 521 in 1991. This significant drop is welcome. The Government hope that greater awareness of and compliance with the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 1991 will result in further improvement.

ENVIRONMENT

  A40 Bypass
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the proposed A40 bypass route to the north of Oxford.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I have been asked to reply

  In accordance with the requirement of EC directive 85/337, as applied by section 105A of the Highways Act 1980, an environmental statement in respect of the proposed A40 north of Oxford bypass was published on 25 March 1993. This coincided with publication of draft statutory orders for the scheme.

DEFENCE

  Muidden Chemie (Netherlands)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements his Department has made with Muidden Chemie (Netherlands) since 1982.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department has no records of placing any contracts with this company in the last three years. Records for previous years could be checked only at disproportionate cost.

  Equipment
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements his Department has with Luchaire of France for provision of military equipment.

  Mr. Aitken
  The value of contracts placed with Luchaire Defence SA over the last three years is as follows:

  1992–93—nil

  1991–92—two contracts, total value £16,832.

  1990–91—five contracts, total value £2,738,356

  The contracts were for a variety of grenades and associated items.
  602

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recommendation was made by Rolls-Royce and Associates in respect of reassessment of the need to establish a safety case before lifting nuclear submarines;

  (2) what the criteria now are for establishing a safety case for the Faslane Trident shiplift.

  Mr. Aitken
  Before a nuclear-powered submarine is lifted at the Clyde submarine base it will be necessary to demonstrate that no reasonably foreseeable event, whether internal—for example, mechanical or electrical breakdown—or external—for example, extreme winds, waves, floods, tides or an earthquake—would result in catastrophic failure of the shiplift or an unacceptable risk to the general public. This is in line with practice in the civil nuclear industry. To provide confidence in the progress of the safety case, we commissioned independent advice from Rolls-Royce and Associates. The company made a number of detailed recommendations, all of which are either under consideration or already being implemented. The shiplift will not be used to lift a nuclear-powered submarine until its safety has been established to the satisfaction of the nuclear safety authorities.

  Rolls-Royce and Associates
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultancies have been awarded by his Department to Rolls-Royce and Associates.

  Mr. Aitken
  Of some 280 current contracts between my Department and Rolls-Royce and Associates, only one is specifically for consultancy services. This was placed in 1992, and requires the preparation of reports on nuclear safety at the Clyde submarine base, Faslane. The hon. Member will appreciate that a full investigation of all past and present contracts to determine whether any consultancy services were required could be carried out only at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Faslane Shiplift
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment has been supplied by Northern Engineering Industries for the shiplift project and the syncrolift, Faslane.

  Mr. Aitken
  Northern Engineering Industries supplied the syncrolift, control systems and five cranes.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been paid to firms contracted to establish the safety case for the Faslane Trident shiplift.

  Mr. Aitken
  Expenditure to date is estimated at £20 million.

  Vanguard Class Submarines
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average surface displacement weight of the Vanguard class missile submarine.

  Mr. Aitken
  The surface displacement of the Vanguard class Trident missile submarine is some 14,000 tonnes.
  603

  Defence Work (Relocation)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what future plans he has to encourage the allocation of defence work and related employment to the north of England and Scotland.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Ministry of Defence does consider the employment implications when placing contracts, consulting the DTI and other Departments as appropriate. My Department's prime concern, as a customer, must be to obtain the best value for money for the taxpayer. It is for companies to decide where to locate their facilities and where to carry out work arising from contracts, though in so deciding they no doubt take into account the various Government measures to assist industry in particular areas. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry informed the House on 12 May,Official Report, column 801, of the measures being considered to help Tyneside.

  Iraq (Defence Equipment)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what letter he sent to defence industry firms concerning Government policy on exports of defence equipment to Iraq in(a) 1984 and (b) 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  This is a matter for Lord Justice Scott's inquiry to consider.

  Documents (Destruction)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 759, what criteria are used when considering whether or not to destroy documents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's records are reviewed in accordance with the terms of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967. No file of administrative or possible historical value is destroyed before five years after closure. Files are reviewed for permanent preservation after 25 years.

  Scott Inquiry
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information resulting from recent inspections of Iraq by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations has been provided to the Scott inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  It would be inappropriate for me to comment in detail on the nature of information provided to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry, which is a matter between the inquiry and the Government Departments concerned.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 759, if he will publish a list of all the documents relating to the Scott inquiry that have been destroyed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 April,Official Report, column 573.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police, South Wales
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now agree to the chief constable of South Wales's bid for an increase in the police establishment.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No. My right hon. and learned Friend has decided that, in view of the need to maintain firm controls over public expenditure, the costs of increases in police establishments in 1993–94 cannot be justified.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish centrally funded facilities to assist overseas domestic workers seeking protection from abusive employers.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has given to the report of an investigation into the conditions of overseas domestic workers, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  We have replied to the organisation that sent a copy of the report to my right hon. and learned Friend. I have placed a copy of our reply in the Library.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were held on remand in custody in prisons in England and Wales as at 1 May.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 12 May 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the population of remand prisoners in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. The latest available information is for 31 March 1993 and shows that 9,687 male and 309 female untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners were held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. No prisoners were held in police cells at this time.

  Metropolitan Police (Racialism)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been dismissed from the Metropolitan police force following proven charges of racialism in the course of their duties as police officers in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This is a matter for the Commissioner. However, I am informed that no Metropolitan police officer has been found guilty of the disciplinary offence of racially discriminatory behaviour in the past three years.
  605

  Life Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were serving a life prison sentence in prisons in the United Kingdom as at 1 May.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 12 May 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the population of life sentence prisoners in Prison Service establishments. The latest available information is for 31 March 1993 and shows

  Arrests for all types of offences

  Police force area

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Avon and Somerset

  35,891

  38,350

  37,930

  39,796

  40,687

  34,190

  36,290

  37,592

  39,852

  42,421

  39,216

  Bedfordshire

  15,831

  16,679

  16,068

  16,699

  17,147

  14,232

  15,694

  15,864

  14,886

  17,705

  17,543

  Cambridgeshire

  17,757

  16,544

  16,303

  15,702

  16,187

  15,552

  17,239

  16,388

  16,466

  18,389

  17,699

  Cheshire

  18,511

  19,526

  19,730

  19,824

  21,265

  21,207

  23,310

  24,068

  25,103

  27,823

  29,684

  Cleveland

  24,565

  24,181

  27,560

  25,982

  27,049

  24,226

  24,670

  24,351

  25,527

  26,584

  28,061

  Cumbria

  12,434

  13,612

  13,379

  14,430

  15,959

  14,446

  14,591

  16,346

  18,244

  19,479

  21,275

  Derbyshire

  17,850

  19,253

  20,167

  22,120

  21,687

  19,044

  20,126

  20,751

  22,781

  23,079

  23,708

  Devon and Cornwall

  21,499

  23,336

  25,819

  26,679

  28,999

  25,342

  27,704

  28,717

  30,786

  31,404

  34,024

  Dorset

  13,068

  14,197

  14,356

  13,332

  13,554

  12,880

  13,478

  13,981

  16,048

  17,487

  18,382

  Durham

  16,616

  18,427

  18,274

  19,712

  18,943

  18,286

  21,762

  23,303

  25,415

  25,965

  25,125

  Essex

  31,138

  33,792

  34,805

  47,965

  38,184

  32,398

  35,140

  35,607

  37,913

  39,990

  40,100

  Gloucestershire

  11,758

  12,559

  12,438

  12,078

  12,814

  11,557

  12,428

  12,787

  14,409

  17,043

  17,020

  Greater Manchester

  102,118

  110,537

  107,746

  110,213

  116,647

  101,804

  109,963

  110,307

  115,248

  116,678

  116,916

  Hampshire

  42,551

  45,063

  44,325

  44,022

  50,194

  49,796

  52,052

  54,419

  61,063

  63,171

  62,330

  Hertfordshire

  19,092

  19,463

  20,129

  18,963

  18,487

  16,405

  20,538

  20,114

  22,868

  22,648

  23,191

  Humberside

  30,662

  34,081

  35,095

  33,480

  35,997

  34,807

  35,106

  32,981

  35,568

  36,066

  35,847

  Kent

  37,003

  39,173

  38,491

  38,236

  41,520

  41,428

  46,808

  47,806

  47,253

  47,007

  47,992

  Lancashire

  39,844

  39,983

  45,261

  49,848

  48,666

  46,197

  47,881

  51,053

  53,129

  57,235

  62,104

  Leicestershire

  21,202

  21,293

  20,660

  19,952

  22,159

  20,262

  20,945

  22,181

  24,604

  24,949

  26,417

  Lincolnshire

  13,203

  13,938

  14,747

  11,987

  13,010

  13,797

  17,282

  16,550

  18,089

  21,474

  22,680

  London, City of

  3,390

  3,577

  3,582

  3,596

  3,511

  3,558

  3,702

  4,248

  4,489

  4,809

  4,688

  Merseyside

  57,139

  57,165

  60,452

  60,554

  59,216

  51,467

  54,088

  56,914

  62,559

  69,207

  72,930

  Metropolitan Police1

  340,809

  362,137

  364,703

  349,941

  1109,786

  103,084

  109,587

  108,706

  111,420

  116,865

  113,586

  Norfolk

  10,155

  13,951

  16,010

  16,292

  16,448

  14,812

  17,232

  17,765

  19,131

  22,727

  20,898

  Northamptonshire

  15,151

  15,505

  15,407

  15,868

  14,572

  13,382

  14,193

  16,088

  16,993

  18,242

  19,353

  Northumbria

  62,121

  61,180

  56,764

  53,704

  57,203

  54,999

  60,206

  59,302

  62,415

  65,694

  68,847

  North Yorkshire

  11,829

  12,370

  12,532

  13,780

  14,308

  14,216

  16,656

  17,541

  17,531

  20,221

  20,936

  Nottinghamshire

  32,625

  33,532

  34,106

  29,835

  35,485

  35,970

  37,423

  38,481

  42,679

  45,468

  46,487

  South Yorkshire

  44,550

  46,653

  46,097

  48,903

  49,681

  32,791

  35,859

  37,731

  39,914

  43,979

  45,722

  Staffordshire

  31,833

  33,719

  34,782

  38,118

  36,405

  31,831

  34,585

  32,351

  36,481

  36,861

  39,142

  Suffolk

  12,452

  12,509

  12,434

  13,134

  13,778

  10,450

  12,010

  12,574

  13,053

  13,905

  15,796

  Surrey

  17,536

  18,255

  19,357

  18,622

  17,101

  16,569

  18,582

  18,495

  19,468

  20,920

  19,940

  Sussex

  35,294

  36,492

  35,817

  34,174

  33,348

  29,872

  32,448

  31,329

  35,574

  37,358

  39,247

  Thames Valley

  42,076

  46,950

  49,254

  48,136

  51,817

  47,686

  48,199

  50,225

  57,246

  59,098

  59,458

  Warwickshire

  —

  8,846

  8,671

  8,667

  9,379

  10,112

  10,625

  10,998

  12,812

  13,161

  14,138

  West Mercia

  22,692

  24,104

  24,522

  25,525

  26,123

  25,004

  25,027

  26,114

  28,590

  32,285

  32,048

  West Midlands

  87,376

  91,158

  91,933

  90,816

  97,329

  86,602

  93,562

  104,116

  119,069

  123,868

  131,062

  West Yorkshire

  56,702

  59,504

  58,277

  55,609

  60,577

  67,103

  70,640

  70,093

  78,215

  84,172

  85,867

  Wiltshire

  8,857

  9,029

  9,388

  10,749

  10,876

  8,586

  9,846

  11,187

  13,195

  14,507

  13,670

  Dyfed-Powys

  8,605

  9,422

  9,589

  11,368

  10,932

  8,191

  8,803

  10,224

  11,774

  12,699

  13,466

  Gwent

  15,955

  16,407

  15,871

  14,949

  16,101

  14,811

  16,338

  16,694

  16,855

  17,060

  17,796

  North Wales

  11,003

  12,248

  13,977

  15,801

  17,461

  16,502

  18,092

  18,951

  20,626

  22,629

  24,338

  South Wales

  35,795

  42,915

  45,453

  50,964

  52,874

  44,814

  46,901

  50,099

  52,645

  56,061

  57,143

  1 From 1985 MPD decided only to record arrest figures in terms of notifiable offences.

  Police Evidence
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces are currently able to comply with the recommendations in the report of the working group on pre-trial issues(a) that witnesses'
  606
  that there were 3,108 prisoners in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales serving life sentences, of whom 3,000 were men and 108 were women.

  Arrests
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) arrested, (b) formally cautioned and (c) charged with an offence for each of the last 10 years in each police force area.

  Mr. Jack
  Information concerning arrests, for all offences, 1981 to 1991 is given in the table. Cautioning data by police force area is published annually in "Criminal statistics England and Wales Supplementary tables Volume 3", table S3.7A in issues 1981 to 1990 and table S3.6A in issue 1991 refer. Copies are available in the Library. 1992 information will not be available until the autumn. Data on the number of people charged are not collected centrally.

  statements, interview records, case summaries and records of previous convictions be typed, (b) that there be a time limit of three weeks for the police to provide a full file of evidence to the Crown prosecution service and (c) that there be a time limit of two weeks for the police to provide

  607
  an abbreviated file of evidence to the Crown prosecution service; and what is his assessment of the reasons for the extent of non-compliance.

  Mr. Jack
  Around a quarter of all police forces have so far implemented the full typing recommendations. The balance of forces are working to achieve this by 31 December 1993 a date set in 1992 as one of the recommendations of the steering group on pre-trial issues. All forces have introduced the time limit guidance for the provision of full and abbreviated files to the Crown prosecution service. While there will always be complex or difficult cases where it is not possible to meet the targets, police forces are working to achieve compliance with the standard.

  Prison Population
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of prisoners in each prison in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Dawn Primarolo, dated 12 May 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question, for written answer on 10 May, on the average population in each Prison Service establishment.
  The attached table shows the average population in all establishments in England and Wales in 1992–93.

  Average population figures for year ending 31 March 1993

  Number

  Acklington

  677

  Albany

  252

  Aldington

  103

  Ashwell

  384

  Askham Grange

  97

  Aylesbury

  231

  Bedford

  245

  Belmarsh

  732

  Birmingham

  888

  Blantyre House

  93

  Blundeston

  325

  Brinsford

  319

  Bristol

  398

  Brixton

  718

  Brockhill

  150

  Bullingdon

  418

  Bullwood Hall

  104

  Camp Hill

  396

  Canterbury

  167

  Cardiff

  424

  Castington

  239

  Channings Wood

  562

  Chelmsford

  337

  Coldingley

  205

  Cookham Wood

  112

  Dartmoor

  509

  Deerbolt

  493

  Dorchester

  193

  Dover

  218

  Downview

  280

  Drake Hall

  166

  Durham

  646

  East Sutton Park

  78

  Elmley

  502

  Erlestoke

  205

  608

  Number

  Everthorpe

  221

  Exeter

  380

  Featherstone

  547

  Feltham

  867

  Finnamore Wood

  76

  Ford

  457

  Frankland

  309

  Full Sutton

  439

  Garth

  484

  Gartree

  241

  Glen Parva

  686

  Gloucester

  190

  Grendon

  180

  Guys Marsh

  141

  Haslar

  110

  Hatfield

  146

  Haverigg

  304

  Hewell Grange

  134

  High Down

  319

  Highpoint

  598

  HIndley

  393

  Hollesley Bay

  288

  Holloway

  456

  Holme House

  445

  Hull

  330

  Huntercombe

  191

  Kingston

  94

  Kirkham

  465

  Kirklevington

  19

  Dr. Kypros Loucas
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 320, if a decision has yet been reached on the employment of Dr. Kypros Loucas at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 12 May 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the employment of Dr. Kypros Loucas.
  The employment of Dr. Loucas at HMP Wormwood Scrubs was terminated with effect from 22 March 1993.

  Minimum Sentences
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he uses(a) when deciding whether to make a recommendation of minimum sentence and (b) when making that recommendation.

  Mr. Jack
  It is assumed that by "recommendation of minimum sentence", the hon. Member refers to the part played by the Secretary of State in the administration of the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. This is the only occasion on which the Secretary of State would be involved in considering the minimum period that should be served in custody; in such cases, it is his responsibility to determine, after taking into account the views of the trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice, the minimum period necessary to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence. This period is known as the "tariff".

  Prison Medical Officers
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of whole-time equivalent prison medical officers in each prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Dawn Primarolo, dated 12 May 1993:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the number of whole time equivalent prison medical officers in each prison.
  There are 243 prison medical officers employed in the Prison Service. This figure includes medical officers of all

  Complaints cases received 1987–1992

  Police forces in England and Wales

  Total cases received

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Avon and Somerset

  412

  463

  446

  561

  641

  726

  Bedfordshire

  131

  117

  111

  125

  138

  183

  Cambridgeshire

  134

  174

  227

  273

  252

  212

  Cheshire

  298

  293

  315

  335

  313

  355

  City of London

  36

  41

  41

  45

  49

  24

  Cleveland

  339

  319

  311

  252

  293

  275

  Cumbria

  263

  239

  284

  298

  251

  275

  Derbyshire

  239

  258

  288

  310

  296

  315

  Devon and Cornwall

  254

  271

  294

  447

  500

  488

  Dorset

  220

  216

  201

  179

  170

  160

  Durham

  298

  329

  238

  201

  206

  166

  Dyfed and Powys

  149

  179

  184

  137

  156

  153

  Essex

  268

  294

  350

  405

  426

  394

  Gloucestershire

  182

  224

  230

  252

  322

  329

  Greater Manchester

  1,265

  1,289

  1,398

  1,700

  1,750

  1,820

  Gwent

  209

  226

  289

  266

  268

  234

  Hampshire

  394

  350

  614

  628

  586

  583

  Hertfordshire

  171

  212

  229

  239

  272

  238

  Humberside

  435

  447

  420

  501

  471

  463

  Kent

  359

  440

  428

  392

  452

  512

  Lanccashire

  260

  281

  317

  338

  447

  463

  Leicestershire

  340

  327

  345

  400

  286

  306

  Lincolnshire

  182

  134

  81

  74

  65

  74

  Merseyside

  778

  839

  1,008

  1,181

  1,101

  1,204

  Norfolk

  229

  216

  253

  299

  303

  328

  Northamptonshire

  110

  104

  136

  185

  195

  192

  Northumbria

  385

  413

  441

  508

  474

  470

  North Wales

  135

  112

  234

  317

  280

  314

  North Yorkshire

  131

  189

  200

  218

  184

  185

  Nottinghamshire

  283

  340

  380

  387

  389

  388

  South Wales

  539

  573

  596

  546

  580

  625

  South Yorkshire

  331

  349

  436

  442

  380

  435

  Staffordshire

  379

  441

  476

  499

  554

  478

  Suffolk

  203

  181

  229

  224

  198

  251

  Surrey

  210

  210

  247

  264

  232

  226

  Sussex

  193

  161

  199

  285

  368

  477

  Thames Valley

  438

  399

  420

  458

  398

  522

  Warwickshire

  110

  117

  171

  233

  155

  105

  West Mercia

  257

  320

  371

  381

  297

  321

  West Midlands

  644

  748

  944

  958

  948

  1,075

  West Yorkshire

  932

  922

  1,058

  977

  973

  944

  Wiltshire

  162

  160

  166

  193

  141

  151

  Metropolitan

  4,864

  5,294

  5,350

  4,371

  3,928

  4,294

  Total

  18,149

  19,211

  20,956

  21,284

  20,688

  21,733

  610
  grades and part-time medical officers where appropriate. In some instances two part-time posts will form a full-time equivalent.

  A list of all establishments showing the breakdown of prison medical officers in each prison by grade and indicating both full and part-time posts has been laid in the library of the House.

  Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of complaints against the police investigated in each police authority in England and Wales for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Figures of those complaints that receive a full investigation are not readily available. The table gives figures for all complaint cases received by forces during 1987–92. A case may consist of more than one matter giving cause for complaint.
  611

  NHS Loto
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the police completed their investigation into the National Hospital Trust lottery scheme, NHS Loto, mentioned in paragraph 85 of the report of the Gaming Board for Great Britain 1989–90; what was the outcome of the investigation; and what action has since been taken.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that the case is currently being considered by the Crown prosecution service in the light of recent reports by the police.

  Immigration Service (Privatisation)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to privatise or contract out duties presently carried out by immigration officials; what research has been carried out to assess the possibility of future privatisation in this area; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Unaccompanied1 children, aged 17 or under applying for asylum on their arrival in the United Kingdom, by nationality

  1992 (whole year)

  1993

  January

  February

  March

  April

  Afghanistan

  11

  2

  3

  2

  —

  Angola

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Colombia

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cyprus

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ethiopia

  19

  3

  —

  1

  —

  Ghana

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ivory Coast

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Iraq

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Iran

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kenya

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Lebanon

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Libya

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Malaysia

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pakistan

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Sierra Leone

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Somalia

  53

  7

  1

  5

  4

  Sri Lanka

  36

  4

  —

  7

  1

  Turkey

  14

  2

  1

  3

  1

  Uganda

  4

  —

  —

  4

  —

  Former Yugoslavia

  18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zaire

  10

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Total

  185

  22

  6

  23

  11

  1 Unaccompanied at the point of their arrival, and not known to be joining a close relative in the United Kingdom.

  Police (Contracting Unit)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for contracting out functions and duties currently carried out by the Metropolitan police and other police forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Compulsory competitive tendering is to be extended to 40 per cent. of the annual cost of police vehicle maintenance and repair in the first instance, and to 90 per cent. of the annual cost of the cleaning of police buildings. CCT will also be extended in due course to a proportion of the cost of police authority and construction services.
  612
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Home Office market testing programme for 1992–93 includes the provision of catering and security guard services and the recruitment of Immigration Service personnel by the immigration and nationality department. The proposals for 1993–94 are to market test in the immigration and nationality department, the typing, postroom and registries, reprographic and messengerial support services. Discussions have been held including with trade union representatives.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to market test the work of immigration officers at ports of entry or the work of other officials who take decisions on his behalf under immigration law.

  Refugees
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied children under 18 years applied for refugee status on arrival in the United Kingdom in 1992 and in each month in 1993; and what was the country of origin of these children.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information is given in the table.

  The Metropolitan police are not covered by local authority statutory requirements, but a policy of market testing has been introduced. The aim is to test up to 30 per cent. of the work of the personnel, finance, technology, and property services departments over the next two and a half years. Action plans are also being drawn up to market test other administrative and support functions. The extend to which the above work will be contracted out or retained in-house will depend upon the results of individual testing exercises.

  I refer also to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 16 February, at columnn 139, that the court escort service in the Metropolitan police district and in three other areas should be contracted out.
  613

  Safer Cities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the sums of money the Government are making available directly to each of the original 16 safer city projects during the transitional period, together with the date on which transitional finance will commence in each case and the length of time for which it will continue to be available in each case.

  Mr. Jack
  The original 16 safer cities projects will cease to receive Home Office funding after March 1994.

  Each of these projects has £100,000 available in grant funding in 1993–94 to support local crime prevention schemes. In addition, in the current financial year they have access to further funds from a central pool of £500,000 which has been set aside to assist the development locally of continuing structures from the maintenance of multi-agency crime prevention work.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are being used to decide how the transitional money being made available to the original 16 safer cities projects should be allocated to the respective projects.

  Mr. Jack
  The original 16 safer cities projects due to close in March 1994 have access to a central pool of £500,000 to assist the development locally of continuing structures for the maintenance of multi-agency crime prevention work. That is the only criterion for the use of this money. The projects were invited to submit their plans and expenditure proposals to the Home Office on the assumption that, subject to the viability of the plans, they will each receive about £31,000 from the pool.

  Rail Lines (Vandalism)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a table listing the dates, details and sentences of court hearings for acts of vandalism on rail lines during each of the last three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, for the period concerned the number of prosecutions for vandalism on rail lines is as follows:

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Total

  1991

  582

  48

  630

  1992

  531

  59

  590

  11993

  106

  11

  117

  1 1 January 1993 to 11 May 1993.

  Notifiable offences recorded by offence and Local authority, borough or district

  Metropolitan police district

  Borough/district

  Theft from a vehicle

  Theft of a motor vehicle

  1989

  1991

  19921

  1989

  1991

  19921

  Barking

  2,278

  3,204

  2,927

  1,830

  2,269

  2,187

  Barnet

  3,142

  4,362

  4,723

  1,345

  2,012

  2,019

  Bexley

  1,809

  2,561

  3,092

  1,715

  2,051

  2,290

  Brent

  3,517

  4,305

  4,094

  1,913

  2,298

  2,169

  Bromley

  3,306

  4,574

  5,090

  1,762

  2,674

  3,032

  Camden

  6,395

  6,929

  7,624

  1,938

  2,255

  2,144

  Croydon

  4,748

  5,670

  5,735

  2,551

  3,510

  3,420

  Ealing

  3,689

  4,462

  5,089

  2,280

  2,714

  2,723

  Enfield

  4,201

  4,475

  4,078

  2,154

  2,384

  2,342

  614
  These figures include summary and indictable prosecutions and sentences ranged from four years imprisonment to conditional discharges, depending on the severity of each individual incident.

  Traffic Wardens
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to bring forward any measures necessary to empower a traffic warden to require the production at a police station by a motorist of a current certificate of motor vehicle insurance in any case in which he or she is currently empowered to require production of a driving licence;

  (2) what powers he has to extend to traffic wardens the power to require a motorist to produce at a police station a certificate of vehicle insurance in any case in which he or she is currently empowered to require production of a driving licence.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answers 10 and 11 May 1993]: Sections 95(5) and 96 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 empower the Secretary of State to make a statutory instrument prescribing the appropriate functions of traffic wardens. Those provisions could be used to empower traffic wardens to require the production of a current certificate of motor insurance in the circumstances described. There are no plans at present to do so.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many crimes were recorded for the Metropolitan police area and for each borough within the metropolitan area in 1989, 1991 and 1992;

  (2) how many crimes were recorded for the Metropolitan police area and for each borough within the metropolitan area in 1989, 1991 and 1992 as (a) burglary of a house, (b), non-domestic burglary, (c) theft from a motor vehicle and (d) theft of a motor vehicle, including taking without consent;

  (3) how many crimes in each category of crime were recorded for the Metropolitan police area and for each borough within the metropolitan area in 1989, 1991 and 1992;

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 29 April 1993]: Tables giving recorded crime figures broken down by offence group and by borough within the Metropolitan police district are in the Library. Figures for burglary in a dwelling, other burglary and theft of and from motor vehicles by borough have been supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and are given in the tables.
  615

  Borough/district

  Theft from a vehicle

  Theft of a motor vehicle

  1989

  1991

  19921

  1989

  1991

  19921

  Greenwich

  3,953

  4,970

  5,839

  3,013

  3,760

  3,794

  Hackney

  4,762

  5,348

  5,510

  2,820

  2,938

  3,095

  Hammersmith

  3,661

  4,729

  6,297

  1,259

  1,534

  1,635

  Haringey

  3,867

  4,571

  4,711

  2,281

  2,482

  2,506

  Harrow

  1,723

  3,043

  2,840

  896

  1,166

  928

  Havering

  3,042

  3,325

  3,339

  2,272

  2,825

  2,833

  Hillingdon

  2,899

  4,337

  4,527

  1,964

  2,148

  2,076

  Hounslow

  2,345

  3,521

  4,444

  1,343

  2,000

  1,963

  Islington

  4,561

  5,520

  5,282

  2,078

  2,389

  2,381

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,389

  4,304

  6,778

  1,134

  1,267

  1,425

  Kingston

  1,546

  2,306

  2,321

  643

  936

  767

  Lambeth

  6,147

  8,084

  7,128

  3,628

  3,928

  3,560

  Lewisham

  4,874

  4,694

  4,454

  2,771

  3,381

  3,426

  Merton

  2,560

  3,454

  3,159

  1,332

  1,552

  1,175

  Newham

  5,528

  5,108

  4,476

  3,433

  3,550

  3,635

  Redbridge

  3,525

  3,223

  3,065

  2,173

  2,869

  3,027

  Richmond

  1,602

  2,543

  2,900

  563

  747

  723

  Southwark

  6,062

  7,761

  7,615

  3,039

  3,855

  3,414

  Sutton

  1,584

  2,493

  2,477

  1,126

  1,619

  1,513

  Tower Hamlets

  5,571

  6,158

  5,931

  2,745

  2,895

  2,699

  Wandsworth

  5,205

  7,044

  6,778

  2,254

  2,751

  2,526

  Waltham Forest

  3,560

  3,451

  3,571

  2,499

  2,956

  2,863

  Westminster

  6,458

  6,555

  8,110

  1,665

  2,030

  1,789

  Broxbourne (part)

  712

  918

  709

  373

  501

  490

  Elmbridge (part)

  479

  666

  857

  180

  214

  200

  Epping Forest (part)

  949

  982

  1,116

  544

  590

  853

  Epsom and Ewell

  475

  796

  867

  253

  427

  354

  Hertsmere

  732

  1,232

  1,277

  367

  477

  468

  Reigate and Banstead (part)

  492

  500

  522

  155

  250

  248

  Spelthorne

  723

  1,509

  1,806

  481

  686

  622

  Welwyn Hatfield (part)

  28

  25

  26

  6

  6

  3

  Heathrow Airport

  478

  735

  794

  117

  169

  140

  Thames

  —

  13

  —

  —

  11

  1

  Central cheque squad

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Total

  126,578

  154,424

  161,978

  66,895

  81,088

  79,459

  1 Provisional

  Notifiable offences recorded by offence and local authority, borough or district

  Metropolitan police district

  Borough/district

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary in other building

  1989

  1991

  19921

  1989

  1991

  19921

  Barking

  1,246

  2,136

  2,329

  1,056

  1,801

  1,546

  Barnet

  3,231

  4,209

  4,327

  1,311

  1,792

  1,692

  Bexley

  1,264

  1,896

  1,975

  889

  988

  1,301

  Brent

  3,700

  5,138

  5,819

  1,612

  2,029

  2,000

  Bromley

  3,178

  3,538

  3,973

  1,341

  2,062

  2,340

  Camden

  3,830

  4,602

  5,105

  2,515

  3,395

  3,108

  Croydon

  3,041

  4,063

  4,503

  1,723

  1,968

  2,199

  Ealing

  3,255

  4,455

  4,555

  1,608

  1,839

  1,867

  Enfield

  2,999

  3,131

  3,103

  1,379

  1,815

  1,844

  Greenwich

  3,097

  4,335

  4,560

  1,387

  2,134

  2,388

  Hackney

  4,854

  5,833

  5,559

  1,998

  2,588

  2,437

  Hammersmith

  2,616

  3,602

  3,266

  1,056

  1,126

  1,364

  Haringey

  3,941

  5,078

  4,072

  1,564

  1,837

  1,481

  Harrow

  1,682

  2,390

  2,852

  746

  988

  1,007

  Havering

  1,374

  2,340

  2,710

  1,193

  1,555

  1,596

  Hillingdon

  1,537

  2,418

  2,330

  1,445

  2,257

  1,600

  Hounslow

  1,780

  2,630

  3,122

  1,225

  2,250

  1,615

  Islington

  2,818

  3,356

  3,460

  2,033

  1,882

  1,961

  Kensington and Chelsea

  4,164

  4,492

  4,422

  1,406

  1,184

  1,441

  Kingston

  861

  1,256

  1,509

  643

  1,141

  1,329

  Lambeth

  5,584

  8,791

  8,488

  1,626

  1,951

  2,063

  Lewisham

  5,193

  5,555

  6,322

  1,479

  2,200

  2,247

  Merton

  1,893

  2,771

  2,862

  1,054

  1,151

  1,112

  Newham

  3,671

  4,713

  4,272

  2,105

  2,403

  2,521

  Redbridge

  2,071

  3,124

  3,463

  1,225

  1,531

  1,527

  Richmond

  1,348

  2,013

  1,791

  741

  1,526

  1,086

  Southwark

  5,270

  6,604

  6,322

  2,336

  2,939

  2,677

  Sutton

  1,305

  1,755

  1,966

  626

  1,166

  1,277

  Tower Hamlets

  2,549

  2,728

  2,685

  2,148

  2,314

  2,523

  Wandsworth

  3,775

  5,844

  4,244

  1,727

  2,092

  1,966

  Waltham Forest

  2,820

  3,229

  3,208

  1,474

  1,390

  1,438

  Westminster

  4,777

  5,264

  5,350

  4,286

  4,236

  4,339

  616 617

  Borough/district

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary in other building

  1989

  1991

  19921

  1989

  1991

  19921

  Broxbourne (part)

  369

  325

  324

  432

  291

  308

  Elmbridge (part)

  421

  510

  468

  245

  234

  339

  Epping Forest (part)

  487

  514

  587

  247

  324

  436

  Epsom and Ewell

  428

  708

  687

  360

  451

  435

  Hertsmere

  516

  614

  579

  415

  740

  681

  Reigate and Banstead (part)

  265

  357

  354

  138

  263

  173

  Spelthorne

  376

  417

  492

  464

  685

  560

  Welwyn Hatfield (part)

  17

  20

  8

  8

  6

  4

  Heathrow airport

  5

  16

  2

  27

  69

  26

  Thames

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Total

  97,608

  126,770

  128,026

  51,293

  64,594

  63,854

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many crimes were recorded in 1992 for(a) each county in England and Wales and (b) each district within each county; and what was the percentage change in each case compared with the equivalent figures for (i) 1991 and (ii) 1989;

  (2) how many crimes were recorded for each category of crime in 1992 for (a) each county in England and Wales and (b) each district within each county; and what was the percentage change in each case compared with the equivalent figure in (i) 1991 and (ii) 1989;

  (3) how many crimes were recorded for each police authority area in England and Wales in (a) 1991 and

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police by police force area and offence group

  England and Wales 1992

  Number of offences

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  Avon and Somerset

  175,404

  5,151

  586

  1,320

  43,163

  94,469

  5,699

  24,368

  648

  Bedfordshire

  59,436

  1,900

  254

  605

  15,775

  30,414

  2,101

  8,137

  250

  Cambridgeshire

  66,339

  2,777

  437

  291

  14,383

  38,752

  1,764

  7,529

  406

  Cheshire

  79,491

  2,784

  459

  320

  21,766

  39,514

  2,414

  10,866

  1,368

  Cleveland

  84,312

  2,651

  268

  289

  20,504

  44,798

  1,679

  13,839

  284

  Cumbria

  45,336

  1,945

  168

  100

  11,673

  22,543

  858

  7,744

  305

  Derbyshire

  88,449

  3,973

  418

  345

  22,225

  44,686

  1,349

  14,838

  615

  Devon and Cornwall

  114,675

  3,926

  665

  310

  28,728

  60,658

  3,601

  15,936

  851

  Dorset

  52,238

  1,505

  345

  164

  9,957

  29,997

  3,726

  5,761

  783

  Durham

  67,315

  2,447

  412

  153

  13,486

  34,822

  2,572

  12,923

  500

  Essex

  115,062

  4,334

  620

  530

  26,497

  61,748

  3,670

  16,959

  704

  Gloucestershire

  60,601

  1,646

  269

  268

  16,405

  34,074

  2,087

  5,439

  413

  Greater Manchester

  395,195

  10,128

  1,409

  4,310

  103,390

  192,988

  11,819

  68,498

  2,653

  Hampshire

  153,256

  5,245

  1,121

  605

  34,533

  83,636

  5,146

  21,736

  1,234

  Hertfordshire

  59,129

  1,882

  294

  349

  12,427

  32,734

  1,594

  9,426

  423

  Humberside

  128,743

  4,950

  773

  419

  38,954

  60,571

  3,184

  19,383

  509

  Kent

  159,881

  5,736

  1,100

  605

  31,099

  89,244

  4,356

  26,326

  1,415

  Lancashire

  132,138

  3,196

  420

  530

  27,480

  70,678

  3,833

  24,869

  1,132

  Leicestershire

  97,468

  3,490

  559

  864

  23,251

  52,480

  3,156

  13,141

  527

  Lincolnshire

  49,306

  2,229

  316

  119

  10,990

  26,057

  1,404

  7,636

  555

  London, City of

  6,768

  230

  29

  62

  875

  4,630

  485

  391

  66

  Merseyside

  149,672

  7,134

  705

  2,036

  34,624

  74,598

  5,098

  23,650

  1,827

  Metropolitan police district

  942,878

  37,669

  5,876

  23,555

  191,880

  465,564

  39,664

  171,949

  6,721

  Norfolk

  66,996

  1,833

  384

  212

  17,027

  36,744

  1,814

  8,503

  479

  Northamptonshire

  59,550

  2,466

  295

  293

  13,115

  29,600

  1,556

  11,820

  405

  Northumbria

  224,442

  6,348

  766

  1,064

  66,072

  93,193

  3,507

  52,664

  828

  North Yorkshire

  54,816

  1,921

  226

  129

  15,610

  29,511

  1,033

  5,951

  435

  Nottinghamshire

  164,417

  8,314

  1,083

  1,065

  36,374

  87,942

  4,023

  25,009

  607

  South Yorkshire

  137,336

  4,896

  593

  716

  41,907

  65,550

  2,009

  20,446

  1,219

  Staffordshire

  97,536

  5,452

  446

  391

  28,830

  46,184

  2,246

  13,503

  484

  Suffolk

  44,721

  2,087

  375

  150

  9,004

  23,729

  1,772

  6,997

  607

  Surrey

  53,468

  2,025

  395

  224

  12,021

  29,605

  2,078

  6,793

  327

  Sussex

  119,364

  3,134

  845

  542

  28,983

  66,402

  3,820

  14,363

  1,275

  Thames Valley

  197,799

  4,762

  845

  1,011

  37,424

  114,337

  7,651

  30,518

  1,251

  Warwickshire

  44,996

  1,275

  237

  128

  12,741

  23,384

  1,129

  5,832

  270

  West Mercia

  79,175

  3,429

  505

  246

  16,926

  45,033

  1,342

  11,203

  491

  West Midlands

  329,260

  11,637

  1,583

  5,008

  101,111

  150,994

  8,293

  48,804

  1,830

  618
  (b) 1992 as being (i) burglary of homes, (ii) non-domestic burglary, (iii) theft from motor vehicles and cars and (iv) theft of motor vehicles, including taking without consent.

  (4) what was the total number of crimes recorded for each category of crime for each police force area in England and Wales in 1992.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 29 April 1993]: The information collected centrally relates to police force areas and the available statistics are provided in the tables. Figures for crimes recorded by category in 1989 and 1991 are published by police force area in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" in table 2.5
  619

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  West Yorkshire

  305,264

  9,605

  1,361

  2,761

  90,231

  148,447

  6,183

  44,252

  2,424

  Wiltshire

  42,229

  2,570

  475

  135

  9,223

  21,621

  1,711

  6,069

  425

  Dyfed-Powys

  28,539

  2,188

  389

  49

  5,100

  14,307

  906

  5,311

  289

  Gwent

  40,961

  2,394

  334

  117

  8,239

  22,085

  1,095

  6,356

  341

  North Wales

  49,204

  2,611

  336

  113

  12,472

  23,891

  1,354

  8,040

  387

  South Wales

  168,554

  5,904

  552

  391

  38,799

  82,334

  3,819

  35,935

  820

  England and Wales

  5,591,719

  201,779

  29,528

  52,894

  1,355,274

  2,844,548

  168,600

  899,713

  39,383

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police by police force area

  England and Wales

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary in a building other than a dwelling

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1991

  1992

  Avon and Somerset

  15,795

  22,225

  18,166

  20,938

  Bedfordshire

  6,057

  6,999

  6,816

  8,776

  Cambridgeshire

  4,828

  6,361

  7,069

  8,022

  Cheshire

  8,317

  9,907

  8,220

  11,859

  Cleveland

  10,190

  13,151

  7,088

  7,353

  Cumbria

  4,426

  4,791

  6,400

  6,882

  Derbyshire

  7,116

  8,335

  11,384

  13,890

  Devon and Cornwall

  11,345

  12,894

  14,363

  15,834

  Dorset

  4,862

  5,286

  4,425

  4,671

  Durham

  6,464

  7,091

  7,101

  6,395

  Essex

  9,807

  10,016

  15,173

  16,481

  Gloucestershire

  5,387

  7,505

  7,214

  8,900

  Greater Manchester

  59,605

  63,868

  38,110

  39,522

  Hampshire

  14,062

  15,610

  17,941

  18,923

  Hertfordshire

  4,935

  5,391

  5,955

  7,036

  Humberside

  12,882

  15,190

  20,067

  23,764

  Kent

  15,836

  18,467

  10,699

  12,632

  Lancashire

  13,971

  16,654

  11,074

  10,826

  Leicestershire

  11,513

  12,330

  10,013

  10,921

  Lincolnshire

  4,251

  5,640

  4,740

  5,350

  City of London

  73

  40

  997

  835

  Merseyside

  21,473

  22,465

  12,136

  12,159

  Metropolitan police district

  126,861

  128,026

  64,621

  63,854

  Norfolk

  6,023

  6,078

  9,313

  10,949

  Northamptonshire

  5,742

  6,019

  6,406

  7,096

  Northumbria

  31,413

  32,499

  34,688

  33,573

  North Yorkshire

  4,975

  7,096

  7,363

  8,514

  Nottinghamshire

  14,092

  18,753

  16,476

  17,621

  South Yorkshire

  15,085

  18,372

  20,176

  23,535

  Staffordshire

  9,846

  12,570

  13,677

  16,260

  Suffolk

  2,859

  3,648

  4,779

  5,356

  Surrey

  5,157

  5,276

  6,280

  6,745

  Sussex

  13,427

  15,272

  13,047

  13,711

  Thames Valley

  17,545

  19,542

  16,520

  17,882

  Warwickshire

  3,228

  4,279

  7,062

  8,462

  West Mercia

  6,208

  7,760

  8,387

  9,166

  West Midlands

  41,624

  52,202

  42,460

  48,909

  West Yorkshire

  41,857

  51,825

  36,769

  38,406

  Wiltshire

  3,564

  4,334

  4,594

  4,889

  England

  602,701

  683,767

  557,769

  606,897

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,528

  1,545

  3,168

  3,555

  Gwent

  3,227

  3,960

  4,250

  4,279

  North Wales

  3,876

  4,586

  6,308

  7,886

  South Wales

  13,614

  14,374

  23,023

  24,425

  Wales

  22,245

  24,465

  36,749

  40,145

  England and Wales

  624,946

  708,232

  594,518

  647,042

  620

  621

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police

  England and Wales

  Theft from a vehicle

  Theft of a vehicle

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1991

  1992

  Avon and Somerset

  10,181

  32,109

  19,903

  24,873

  Bedfordshire

  12,035

  11,008

  8,292

  8,069

  Cambridgeshire

  8,998

  11,403

  4,655

  5,796

  Cheshire

  9,485

  12,866

  8,289

  9,010

  Cleveland

  12,369

  12,063

  11,712

  12,433

  Cumbria

  6,627

  8,315

  3,632

  3,113

  Derbyshire

  13,621

  17,052

  7,410

  9,024

  Devon and Cornwall

  19,526

  22,023

  7,923

  7,641

  Dorset

  8,618

  8,593

  4,560

  3,677

  Durham

  10,053

  9,760

  8,640

  8,588

  Essex

  20,610

  20,509

  11,377

  11,493

  Gloucestershire

  11,432

  14,563

  3,927

  4,642

  Greater Manchester

  60,461

  60,112

  55,338

  57,862

  Hampshire

  26,720

  28,824

  11,919

  11,003

  Hertfordshire

  10,548

  12,046

  6,149

  6,467

  Humberside

  17,909

  19,953

  8,506

  8,839

  Kent

  23,558

  24,971

  17,962

  18,910

  Lancashire

  21,687

  23,655

  11,042

  12,288

  Leicestershire

  16,104

  18,239

  10,751

  11,195

  Lincolnshire

  4,958

  6,801

  2,779

  3,241

  City of London

  839

  975

  239

  143

  Merseyside

  22,156

  20,514

  16,983

  15,894

  Metropolitan police district

  154,453

  161,978

  81,173

  79,459

  Norfolk

  12,780

  13,197

  5,510

  4,711

  Northamptonshire

  10,466

  8,909

  6,514

  6,701

  Northumbria

  32,680

  28,030

  30,356

  28,954

  North Yorkshire

  8,312

  9,069

  4,999

  4,300

  Nottinghamshire

  27,884

  27,523

  17,603

  16,913

  South Yorkshire

  21,848

  22,572

  16,323

  17,915

  Staffordshire

  15,382

  16,710

  9,290

  11,505

  Suffolk

  6,037

  6,453

  2,721

  2,702

  Surrey

  9,851

  10,923

  4,860

  4,912

  Sussex

  21,020

  22,981

  9,251

  8,953

  Thames Valley

  40,302

  42,834

  22,556

  22,017

  Warwickshire

  8,244

  8,925

  4,700

  4,898

  West Mercia

  11,937

  13,264

  8,652

  7,861

  West Midlands

  54,360

  56,249

  41,415

  39,574

  West Yorkshire

  55,425

  52,807

  40,235

  35,821

  Wiltshire

  5,900

  6,530

  2,967

  2,759

  England

  865,376

  905,308

  551,113

  554,156

  Dyfed-Powys

  3,029

  3,393

  1,476

  1,464

  Gwent

  6,786

  6,569

  3,240

  3,678

  North Wales

  6,970

  8,230

  3,102

  3,551

  South Wales

  31,115

  30,748

  22,970

  22,654

  Wales

  47,900

  48,940

  30,788

  31,347

  England and Wales

  913,276

  954,248

  581,901

  585,503

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Northern Cyprus
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Government Ministers have visited northern cyprus since 1979.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Five.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the United Kingdom's relations with the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, and on the implications of the visit of the Lord Chancellor to Northern Cyprus.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We do not recognise the so-called Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, and neither does any 622
  other country except Turkey. We do acknowledge the legitimate interests of the Turkish Cypriot community, and have contact with their leaders in order to promote United Nations efforts for an intercommunal settlement in Cyprus and where British consular or other interests are concerned. The Lord Chancellor's informal meeting with Mr. Denktash is in line with this policy; and has no implications for our policy of non-recognition.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department carried out with non-governmental organisations concerned with proliferation matters prior to preparing the British policy position and proposals for the first preparatory committee meeting on 10 to 14 May for the fifth review conference on the nuclear nonproliferation treaty; and what criteria were used in choosing the non-governmental organisations with which he consulted.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our Department has regular contacts with non-governmental organisations interested in the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and intends to continue these. We received no requests from such organisations for consultations on our policy in regard to this meeting.

  Arms Transfers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Booth) of 5 May,Official Report, column 144, what was the cost of compiling the United Kingdom submission to the United Nations register of conventional arms transfers; to whom it has been circulated; and what was the purpose of the exports to countries where this is not covered by a note.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested about the cost of the register is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The United Kingdom's return was submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General on 29 April. It was circulated to conference on security and co-operation in Europe participating states on 5 May. The purpose of exports not covered by a footnote in the United Kingdom's return was the fulfilment of contracts placed by the Governments of the countries concerned.

  Hungary
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the purpose and outcome of his recent visit to Hungary.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 12 May,Official Report, column 787.

  Belize
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of Belize about the proposals to withdraw British troops and personnel from Belize.
  623
  Mr. Garel Jones
  We forewarned the Belizean Government about our plans for the evolution of the British military presence and have taken account of their concerns.

  Diplomatic Estate
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373, if he will list those publications, in addition to the Official Journal, of the European Community, in which invitations are routinely published for construction companies to tender for work on the overseas diplomatic estate.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The answer is 2,595. Invitations to tender are not routinely published. It is our policy to invite tenders from construction companies shortlisted after pre-selection procedures.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373, how often, and in what format, the further information about a wider range of projects to which he refers is circulated to the Export Group for the Construction Industries; if that information includes all opportunities for work on the overseas diplomatic estate, or only selected opportunities for such work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The answer is 2,596. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office sends a list about once a year to the Export Group for the Construction Industries of key details about planned projects likely to be of interest to United Kingdom construction companies and of an estimated value above a stated threshold. For 1983–86 the threshold was £250,000; for 1987–89, £500,000; and since 1990, £1 million. The latest list will be sent within the next few weeks.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373, who are the current members of the Export Group for the Construction Industries.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We understand that the current membership of the Export Group for the Construction Industries is as follows:

  ACER Group

  Amec International Construction

  Balfour Beatty

  Biwater International

  Bovis

  Brown & Root

  CEGELEC Projects

  Costain Civil Engineering

  Drake & Scull International

  John Laing International

  Kier International

  Lilley Construction

  Alfred McAlpine International

  Maples

  Miller Construction

  Mivan Overseas

  Mowlem International

  Edmund Nuttall

  Rotary Group

  Sterling International Civil Engineering

  Tarmac construction

  Taylor Woodrow International

  Trafalgar House Construction

  Wade Adams Construction

  George Wimpey International

  624
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373 if he will make a statement on the grounds upon which the French company Glauser International was awarded the £4·8 million contract for the work on the new immigration and consular building in Islamabad.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Glauser International was awarded the contract, in preference to the other three firms—one of them British—who submitted tenders, because its tender was the lowest, it had an established presence in Pakistan and it offered higher levels of supervision, including an experienced British project manager, and an earlier completion date.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373, if he will list those criteria by which practicable participation is assessed when considering tenders by British companies for work on the overseas diplomatic estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The criteria for practicable participation in given local circumstances are assessed when drawing up the short list of companies to be invited to tender. The criteria include local regulations about the participation of non-local companies and of joint ventures, the managerial and technical competence and the financial status of companies under consideration, the extent of their local presence, experience and knowledge of local working conditions, and their track record in comparable circumstances.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 373, if he will make a statement providing details of the way in which best value for money is assessed when considering tenders by British companies for work on the overseas diplomatic estate.

  Mr. Goodlad
  British companies that meet the pre-qualification criteria are invited to tender in competition with local or other companies, similarly pre-qualified: this ensures competition and the best value of money for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. After their receipt, tenders are assessed on price, compliance with the technical documentation—or acceptable alternatives—and project execution capability.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish details of those contracts valued at £500,000 or more which have been awarded for work on the overseas diplomatic estate in each of the last five years for which figures are available; if he will indicate, in each case, the location of the work, the value of the contract awarded, the name and the nationality of the company which was given the contract; if any British company tendered for the work; in which publications advertisements for the tender were placed; and why, if a British company tendered for the work, its bid was not successful.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information requested is being deposited in the Library of the House.
  625

  Political Parties (State Funding)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place since his answer of 17 July 1990,Official Report, column 496, in arrangements for state funding for politcal parties in each of the Group of Seven nations.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The information available to us is as follows:

  (a) Canada

  No change from the answer of 17 July 1990, Official Report, column 496;

  (b) France

  A Bill passed in autumn 1992 provided for:

  (i) public funding of political parties which put up at least 50 candidates, in proportion to their share of the vote in the legislative elections and where applicable, to the number of their senators and deputies; and

  (ii) reimbursement of campaign expenses up to a maximum of FF50,000, provided that the

  626
  candidate obtains at least 5 per cent. of the vote in the first round.

  These arrangements will not come into effect until after 1994.

  (c)Germany

  The existing legislation—1990 answer—is under review.

  (d) Italy

  Italians voted in the referendums on 18 and 19 April to abolish state funding of political parties.

  (e) Japan

  No change in formal state funding.

  (f) United States

  President Clinton introduced on 7 May a proposal for campaign finance reform. Under it, candidates accepting voluntary limits on spending would receive vouchers for broadcast air time, postage and printing from federal funds. These would be financed by closing a loophole allowing tax deductions for lobbying expenses and increasing the voluntary check-off on tax returns to $5. The proposal is controversial.