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Column 1030

Callaghan, Jim

Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE)

Campbell-Savours, D. N.

Clark, Dr David (S Shields)

Clwyd, Mrs Ann

Cohen, Harry

Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

Cook, Robin (Livingston)

Cox, Tom

Cryer, Bob

Dewar, Donald

Dixon, Don

Dobson, Frank

Douglas, Dick

Eadie, Alexander

Eastham, Ken

Ewing, Harry (Falkirk E)

Ewing, Mrs Margaret (Moray)

Flannery, Martin

Foster, Derek

Fyfe, Maria

Galbraith, Sam

Galloway, George

Garrett, John (Norwich South)

Garrett, Ted (Wallsend)

Godman, Dr Norman A.

Gordon, Mildred

Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

Haynes, Frank

Hogg, N. (C'nauld & Kilsyth)

Home Robertson, John

Howarth, George (Knowsley N)

Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)

Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

Illsley, Eric

Ingram, Adam

Johnston, Sir Russell

Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside)

Kennedy, Charles

Kirkwood, Archy

Lambie, David

Lestor, Joan (Eccles)

Livsey, Richard

Loyden, Eddie

McAvoy, Thomas

McKelvey, William

McLeish, Henry

Maclennan, Robert

Madden, Max

Mahon, Mrs Alice

Martin, Michael J. (Springburn)

Maxton, John

Michael, Alun

Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley)

Michie, Mrs Ray (Arg'l & Bute)

Moonie, Dr Lewis

Nellist, Dave

Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon

Patchett, Terry

Pike, Peter L.

Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

Redmond, Martin

Reid, Dr John

Robertson, George

Salmond, Alex

Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert

Sillars, Jim

Skinner, Dennis

Snape, Peter

Spearing, Nigel

Steel, Rt Hon David

Strang, Gavin

Thomas, Dr Dafydd Elis

Vaz, Keith

Wallace, James

Wareing, Robert N.

Watson, Mike (Glasgow, C)

Welsh, Andrew (Angus E)

Wigley, Dafydd

Williams, Alan W. (Carm'then)

Wilson, Brian

Wise, Mrs Audrey

Worthington, Tony

Wray, Jimmy

Tellers for the Noes :

Mr. Allen Adams and

Mr. Nigel Griffiths.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Mr. Deputy Speaker-- forthwith declared the main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved,

That this House notes the continued success of the present Government's policies in securing for Scotland record living standards and the advantages of membership of the European Community within the United Kingdom, alongside a strong defence of the United Kingdom's essential interests, and the rejection of the Scottish National Party's policy of independence in Europe by the overwhelming majority of voters in Scotland at the European elections ; and recognises the potential damage to the real interests of Scotland underlying the constitutional change advocated by opposition parties.

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Column 1031

London Regional Transport (Penalty Fares) Bill [Lords] (By Order)

Order for consideration, as amended, read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill, as amended, be now considered.-- [Mr. Thorne.]

7.22 pm

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett (Denton and Reddish) : On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You will be aware that towards the end of the Second Reading debate Opposition Members pressed the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Thorne), who is responsible for the Bill, for an undertaking that when the new ticket barriers were introduced on London Underground and the penalty fares scheme came into effect, people would not be forced to use the mechanical ticket barriers. The hon. Gentleman gave that undertaking. I asked :

"Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that there will always be an alternative to using the mechanical ticket barriers?"

He replied :

"The intention is that there will always be that option available."--[ Official Report, 6 February 1989 ; Vol. 146, c. 762.] That undertaking has not been carried out. That is fairly serious, particularly when private Bills are involved. There is a procedure by means of which undertakings are given, either in writing or orally in Committee or in the House, that something will happen. If that does not happen, the principle of the private Bill procedure is defeated. About three weeks ago I took up with the hon. Member for Ilford, South the fact that he had given this undertaking. It had become obvious at Westminster Underground station that people were being forced to go through the mechanical barriers. He asked for more information and eventually sent to me a copy of a letter which says :

"The procedure at all stations where automatic gates are in operation is that a member of staff is available to give assistance if persons have difficulty using those gates and he may invite the passenger to use an alternative gate which he operates manually." It is quite clear from a meeting that I had yesterday morning with the hon. Gentleman that the individual passenger does not have the right, for which I asked and about which I was given an assurance, not to go through the automatic gates. He can ask the London Regional Transport representative at the barrier, but if that individual decides that he must go through the gates he is denied that choice. It is quite clear that the House was misled. Apart from making that statement, the agents for the Bill had the privilege of being in the Box. I understand that London Regional Transport representatives were also present. They made no attempt between 6 February when the Bill had its Second Reading and the point at which I took it up with them, three weeks ago, to correct that mistake.

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