House of Commons Hansard Debates for 12 Dec 1991

Mr. Andrew MacKay (Berkshire, East) : Is my right hon. Friend aware that a significant number of my right hon. and hon. Friends are bitterly disappointed that during today's Consolidated Fund Bill debate only one and a half hours have been allocated to discussing pension funds? We would wish to pursue further the criminal frauds committed by Robert Maxwell and others associated with the Daily Mirror. In particular, I ask my right hon. Friend to find time next week to allow us to pursue the role played by Mr. Joe Haines, sometime press officer of a Labour Prime Minister, an executive director of Mirror Group Newspapers--

Mr. Speaker : Order. I think that he is also a peer--

[Interruption.] No, he is not a peer.

Mr. MacKay : I hope, Mr. Speaker, that he never will be. In addition to being an executive director of Mirror Group Newspapers, Mr. Haines cringingly wrote the authorised biography of the late Robert Maxwell, in which he threw out of the window what little journalistic integrity he ever had.

Mr. MacGregor : It is clear that there is considerable interest and concern in the House about that matter. I know that the Consolidated Fund Bill allows for only a short debate, but there will be other opportunities for raising the matter, including tomorrow.

Ms. Joyce Quin (Gateshead, East) : Is the Leader of the House aware that decisions will be taken in Brussels on 18 December about the permitted level of support for the shipbuilding industry in Europe? Has any consideration been given to allowing right hon. and hon. Members to express an opinion on that matter, either on the Floor of the House or in European Standing Committee B? If not, can the Leader of the House at least persuade the silent Department of Trade and Industry to say something on the subject?

Mr. MacGregor : I will look into the point and will write to the hon. Lady.

Mr. John Marshall (Hendon, South) : My right hon. Friend intimated that the House cannot expect a statement on Sunday trading next week. Will he give an assurance that there will soon be a full day's debate so that the House can clarify its view, if that is possible, on Sunday trading?

Mr. MacGregor : I do not think that I can give that assurance in the near future, because my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office is continuing with her discussions. The House has been expressing its view quite a bit recently, such as on the two statements that we had.

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I would not necessarily say that it clarified its view. Certainly I felt that it made it clear that there were still strongly divided views in the House.

Ms. Hilary Armstrong (Durham, North-West) : The business of the House for next week means that we will yet again have a 10 o'clock vote on a Thursday. When the Leader of the House came to the Select Committee on Procedure when it was considering the sittings of the House, he tried to reassure us that right hon. and hon. Members with constituencies some distance from London would, through the usual channels, be able to return to their constituencies to conduct their business at weekends. As the right hon. Gentleman has already heard, we from the north are already having exceptional difficulty in travelling to and from London on public transport. There have been six votes at 10 o'clock on a Thursday evening since the right hon. Gentleman told us that that would not happen.

Mr. Speaker : Order. With great respect to the hon. Lady, what does that have to do with next week's business? Will she ask a question about that?

Ms. Armstrong : It has to do with the way in which the Leader of the House organises the business of the House. He is making it exceptionally difficult, given the commitment that he made to the Procedure Select Committee, for some right hon. and hon. Members to fulfil their responsibilities as Members of Parliament to their constituencies and to the House.

Mr. MacGregor : I did not give any commitment to the Select Committee ; that was not the purpose of the evidence. I made known a number of personal views, proposals, and recommendations for the Committee to consider. It is now for the Committee to do that, and to report to the House. I indicated also that, wherever possible, we endeavour--including through the usual channels--to assist right hon. and hon. Members representing constituencies well away from London to return to them on Thursday evening. However, it is not always possible to arrange that. I hope that the hon. Lady understands that next week's debate is of great significance, and I cannot believe that Members of Parliament feel that it would not be right to have that debate and the 10 o'clock vote on Thursday.

Mr. Tim Devlin (Stockton, South) : I shall be happy to vote in the hon. Lady's stead.

The Tees and Hartlepool port authority is currently being privatised. The board will decide on the preferred bidder on Monday, and the Government will make a statement on Thursday, but we shall have no opportunity to debate the matter in the House. May we have a statement on Monday or Tuesday?

The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in Banchory was destroyed by fire on 4 December. So far no statement has been made about its future. May we have such a statement?

Mr. MacGregor : I shall have to discuss the hon. Gentleman's second question with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. As for his first question, the Tees and Hartlepool port authority is the vendor in the current privatisation, and it is for the authority to assess bids for the port in the light of its objectives of sale and then to decide which bid

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to recommend. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will, I know, consider that recommendation carefully, but the decision will be his ; I cannot anticipate it, or the exact time when he will make it.

Mr. Brian Wilson (Cunningham, North) : We are now entering the coldest spell of the year. Once again, statistics show that the mortality rate among elderly people in cold conditions, whose homes lack heating facilities, is higher here than in any other European country.

Opposition Members wish that European standards in this regard could be imported. May we have a debate--not towards the end of the year, when conditions will have changed, but now, while the problem is urgent and immediate--about the effectiveness of support systems for elderly people in cold weather, and the possibility of delivering the pittance that is, potentially, available now, in time for it to have an effect? Can the House possibly be faced with a more urgent subject than that of the thousands of pensioners who will die in the weeks ahead because of a natural element against which this prosperous society has proved incapable of protecting them?

Mr. MacGregor : There is no need for a statement on cold weather payments. The Government introduced those payments, and they have also introduced significant improvements for this winter. All those eligible will be paid automatically and quickly. We also have the facility to base payments on forecasts made by the Meteorological Office, as well as on recorded information. The capital rule has been abolished, and 400,000 more people will be eligible as a result. The links with weather stations have also been improved. No statement is necessary ; the Government have done the right thing, and they have already acted.

Mr. John Browne (Winchester) : May I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to early-day motion 373?

[That this House, aware that as a result of the recent agreement at Maastricht the United Kingdom will now move inevitably, despite an opt-in' clause, towards a single European currency which will replace the present European composite currency or ecu ; recognises that such a new single currency will be heavily influenced by Germany and that its naming is of great importance ; suggests the name of Karl, derived from Karl der Grosse or Charlemagne, who in early times achieved the unification of much of Europe ; notes that the monetary sign of K- , like £, is unique and therefore well fitted to take its place beside the $ and Y= ; and urges Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer to put this initiative to his colleagues at the European Council of Ministers.]

Does he accept that the naming of a new single European currency is a matter of considerable importance? Please may we have a specific debate to consider that important matter so that we can present a well-considered British suggestion to our European colleagues?

Mr. MacGregor : I have no doubt that my hon. Friend will wish to make his own suggestions, and he will be able to do so next week. I do not think, however, that I can give a time for a specific debate on that one item.

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Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington) : May we have a debate on the future of the bus and commercial vehicle manufacturing industry, particularly in the light of Volvo's decision to close Britain's principal bus manufacturing plant, which is in Workington? Does the Leader of the House agree that it is not for private companies to decide to close strategic parts of British industry, and that it is for a British Government to be fully consulted and to be part of such decisions?

Mr. MacGregor : If the hon. Gentleman is recommending direct intervention in particular commercial decisions, I do not agree with him. Obviously, I have great sympathy for all who have been affected by the closure, but it is for the hon. Gentleman to look for opportunities to speak. I know that he has already tried, but other opportunities are available. I cannot promise a debate next week.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) : Will the Leader of the House make a statement next week about the plight of the homeless ? We shall not be occupying this place for three weeks during the Christmas recess. Why does not the right hon. Gentleman make a decent gesture, instead of just talking ? Why does he not throw open the doors of Parliament to the homeless of London ? There is plenty of heat and plenty of light here ; there are plenty of places to sleep--plenty of empty Benches. There are catering facilities, and there is plenty of security.

I think that it is high time that the Government did something about homelessness, instead of just talking about it. Open the doors--or will the Government opt out of that as well ?

Mr. MacGregor : We have already acted, rather than talking about it, and have provided substantial additional facilities for the homeless in London.

Adjournment (Christmas)

Mr. Speaker : I remind hon. Members that on the motion for the Adjournment of the House on Friday 20 December up to nine Members may raise with Ministers subjects of their own choice. Applications should reach my office by 10 pm on Monday next. A ballot will be held on Tuesday morning, and the result made known as soon as possible thereafter.

BILL PRESENTED

Protection of Pension Funds and Investments

Mr. Kenneth Hind presented a Bill to require that trustees of pension funds and investments shall be independent of the employer company concerned ; to require trustees to furnish annual reports and accounts to contributors and beneficiaries ; to give contributors and beneficiaries additional rights in respect of the control and ownership of pension fund assets ; to limit pension fund investment in the employer company ; to afford other protection to pension fund contributors and beneficiaries ; and for connected purposes : And the same was read the First time ; and ordered to be read a Second time on 31 January 1992 and to be printed. [Bill 42.]

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Adjournment (Christmas)

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That this House at its rising on Friday 20th December

do adjourn until Monday 13th January 1992.-- [Mr. MacGregor.] 4.15 pm

Sir John Stokes (Halesowen and Stourbridge) : The theme of my speech is the grievous shortage of officers in all walks of life in this country-- except, of course, in the armed forces of the Crown--and, more generally, to consider the state of the nation after the settlement reached at Maastricht, to enumerate the good and bad points of our institutions and our society, and to try to find out where remedies can put things right.

Constant visits to Europe over many years have made me realise more and more how different England is from nations on the continent. We are an island, unconquered for 900 years, and we still look to the great sea routes of the world, and to our cousins in America, as well as to our close neighbours on the continent.

Our whole history and background are different from those of most continental countries. We have had, on the whole, a long and peaceful history here. We have not had the appalling revolutions or wars which have so disfigured continental nations. We much value our Houses of Parliament, in contrast with the low esteem in which continental assemblies are often held. Not only our constitution but our laws are different from those of other nations. We have not had a Code Napoleon.

Until recently, we had a hierarchical and conservative society, with the great lords living on their estates--not at court in Versailles, as they were in France--and the small squires running the villages where they knew the people and their way of life intimately.

We have had few riots in this country, and no fighting for hundreds of years. In short, we are a quiet, kind, politically mature people who have learned over the centuries to live together. We are proud of our history and our traditions ; our monarchy is greatly beloved. In my view, our best institutions are the armed forces of the Crown. The Navy and the Army, of course, are very old, and the Royal Air Force, although founded only in 1918, has fully carried on their ideals. The hallmarks of the armed services of the Crown are chivalry, truthfulness, honesty, integrity and loyalty. Those are not always found in other occupations. The armed forces perform magnificently whenever called upon to do so, and when their members retire they are highly respected in civilian society.

As we all know, the forces consist of officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks. Those clearly separate roles are not usually found in other organisations--sometimes I wish that they were. We instantly know what the rank stands for. We know where we are, and we are never let down. Unfortunately, we do not always find such high standards in the other great institutions of the state or in the main professions.

We in this House should hold to the highest standards ourselves, and try to keep others up to the mark.

Most of the nation spends several hours a day looking at television screens and reading newspapers. How degrading the tabloid press has become. On television, the swearing and sexual licence is unacceptable. In the tabloid press, the emphasis on sex and sexual misbehaviour is

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nauseating. Unfortunately, the Church of England, that great institution established by law, fails to reprove those tendencies and even appears unable to control homosexuality among its own clergy. The bishops no longer, alas, have the respect that they used to have and the Church seems to fail to recruit the best men in the land for its clergy.

We find a further tragedy with education. Over the past generation, so- called progressive methods of teaching have meant that many children now leave school being unble to read, to write or to do simple arithmetic. Those responsible were sinning against the light and it will take another generation to get things right.

In the old days, Oxford and Cambridge and our great universities were admired throughout the world. It is a mistake to try now to increase the number of university students and to pretend that the polytechnics, which have a different, but most vital, role to play, are the same as universities.

The public schools have maintained their standards and are still a nursery of leaders. It would be far better if we were to increase the number of our public schools, even with the assistance of some taxpayers' money, rather than to continue to produce what some people fear are half-baked intellectuals in enlarged universities. We should also extend the assisted places scheme which has been so successful. The amount of crime, especially violent crime, is a blot on our society. Responsibility for that must lie to a great extent with how young people are brought up. Parents, teachers and clergy bear a heavy responsibility.

There was less dishonesty in high places when I was a young man and virtually none in the City of London. Unfortunately, the Maxwell case is only one of a long line in recent years of crime on a massive scale in financial circles.

We constantly find examples of poor management in some of our largest institutions. The banks, which seem to lend millions of pounds to doubtful Governments in South America, to property companies and, I am afraid to say, to corrupt financiers, often seem rude and unhelpful to ordinary customers who badly need the money to help them to carry on their businesses.

British Rail, the Post Office and the management of the health service--not the doctors and nurses--are of varying quality. If anything goes wrong in British Rail or in the Post Office, it is unusual to see anyone about above the rank of lance-corporal. My solution to all those problems is to try to educate, to train and to recruit more officers and leaders, as in the armed services, who can take charge in almost every walk of life. We should also cherish the House of Lords, especially the younger Lords who are coming on. The Lords are independent and highly respected, and always possess the most perfect manners.

We need better men in British industry if we are to compete on level terms with Germany, with the United States and with Japan. A career in industry should be as much respected as a career in the City.

We all know that the police face appalling challenges today. I am glad that they are highly paid, and they deserve all our sympathy and support. However, what is lacking, as I have said so often, is an officer class. The Home Office should insist on the refounding of the

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Hendon police college as it was under Lord Trenchard where officers were recruited and trained for leadership and the highest positions. We know from recent opinion polls that English people are still highly patriotic and that many more here in these islands are prepared to die for their country than is the case on the continent of Europe.

That deep, abiding patriotism is still found among the mass of the working people. The middle class, of which most of the country is now composed, still keeps high standards in that respect. However, it now unfortunately includes a number of over-educated intellectuals who believe in nothing and wish to destroy all that we hold most dear. One can have too much democracy. We are not all equal in our abilities. We must pay more attention to finding and choosing those who will become our leaders. The old grammar schools did the job so well--as well as the public schools-- until, alas, they were abolished. Let us hope that some grammar schools can now be re-established. When educating and training our leaders in society, we must ask what is our national purpose. What are we aiming at in our daily lives? We are a mature people, as I said earlier. Sometimes we are inclined to be lazy, but we are capable of great exertions in times of crisis. We now live in a highly competitive world. We must be as good at business as our competitors on the continent and elsewhere. Of course we must defend the nation properly and keep law and order. We must maintain moral standards and ensure that our children are properly educated. It is important that in every walk of life we should articulate where we are going and where we are trying to go. I learnt some of those principles as a young officer serving under General Montgomery both on the staff and in the field. We all knew what the object was and what we had to do. Above all, everyone was put in the picture.

In an organisation it is the people who matter most. Their performance can be improved enormously by proper training, example and leadership. As a people, in spite of the faults that I have enumerated, I believe that we have great talents. We must not hesitate to build on them. Therefore, after Maastricht I believe that our country, with all its experience and history and achievements, still has a great deal to give Europe and the world.

4.26 pm

Mr. Don Dixon (Jarrow) : I appreciate, as no doubt you, Mr. Speaker, appreciate as a former Deputy Chief Whip, the strictures that that places on hon. Members who hold that position. However, I am so concerned about a safety problem in my constituency that I want to intervene briefly in this debate. I have put myself on the Standing Committee of the Transport and Works Bill and I will speak on the matter in more detail there.

I want to draw to the attention of the House a very dangerous situation in relation to a railway crossing in my constituency. The railway crossing is an unmanned crossing at Newton Garths on the main Newcastle to Sunderland line which runs through my constituency and that of my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark). The crossing is located between two large housing estates--the Biddick Hall housing estate and Boldon

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Colliery estate. There are fields beside the crossing in which horses graze. As we know, children are often tempted to play near horses and feed them. On 14 May 1990, a seven-year-old girl called Lisa Mohamed was killed on the crossing. She had spent the day with her great-aunt and her younger brother. She had played in the field and walked along the road to the crossing.

Anyone who knows anything about crossings will be aware that the tracks on a vehicular crossing are recessed into timber to allow vehicles to cross the track. The young girl walked along the road believing that she was crossing the field on her way to feed the horses. Unfortunately, she was killed on the track by a train which came around the curve.

The crossing is particularly dangerous because the secondary school on the Biddick Hall estate has been closed and many of the children on that estate must cross to the Boldon Colliery secondary school. That unmanned crossing has become an unauthorised short cut for some children.

The crossing is about one mile from the signalman's cabin, and it is not visible because of the curve in the rail line. Therefore, no one can supervise the gate and crossing procedures. More than 120 high-speed trains pass over that crossing daily, at approximately 65 mph. I have visited the crossing several times, along with Lisa's father, Philip Mohamed, and one of our ward councillors, Councillor Mrs. Wagott. She is a new councillor, but she is capable and competent, and she has taken an interest in that dangerous crossing. The crossing has been and is plagued by vandals. Warning signs and telephones have been ripped out. Despite repeated warnings, children still use the crossing as a short cut. The crossing is used to service what used to be Harrison farm, and it is used by vehicles and by people riding horses. At times, the gate is tied back and not closed. It takes only one person to leave the gate open, and safety at the crossing goes out of the window.

Several letters have passed between myself and various Ministers at the Department of Transport and between me and the local authority. Ministers, the local authority and everybody on the estate have agreed that the crossing should be closed and are trying to find an alternative route into the farm. However, until it is closed, someone from British Rail should man that crossing.

What appalled me and led me to intervene in this Adjournment debate was a statement by a chap named Brian Ward, who is supposed to be a British Rail regional spokesman. Since Lisa died, her father Philip Mohamed has fought a campaign to have the crossing closed. I have been supporting his campaign. Philip Mohamed, like most people in our area, which has high unemployment, must work away. When Lisa was killed, he was working on an oil rig in the middle of the North sea. His wife has had health problems ever since--her nerves have suffered, as any parent can imagine.

On Friday 29 November, when I went to my constituency, I obtained a copy of the local paper, the Gazette. According to that paper, British Rail has decided that it should blame Lisa's parents for her death. That character, Brian Ward--I do not know who he is ; he is some pinstriped moron who works in a British Rail heated office--said :

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"We find that Mr. Mohamed has rarely, if ever, publicly expressed any concern for the train crew involved in his daughter's death We have no real wish to attack Mr. Mohamed or his family." He felt that Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed were to blame because of lack of supervision. That is an insensitive and scurrilous attack on loving parents who lost a seven-year-old daughter.

An editorial in the Gazette stated :

"British Rail's outburst against grieving South Shields father Philip Mohamed is astonishing in its insensitivity. Following the tragic death of his seven-year-old daughter eighteen months ago, Mr. Mohamed has waged a ceaseless campaign to get the railway crossing where she was killed closed down."

Any parent would join him in his campaign. He will not fetch Lisa back, but he did not want other parents to suffer the sadness that he and his wife have suffered since Lisa's death.

The article continues :

"Yet BR are adding to the heartbreak of the Mohamed family by blaming those who failed to supervise his daughter' for the tragedy.

Such a vitriolic attack does BR no credit whatsoever Now they criticise him for failing to show concern for the train crew involved in her death'. This statement is almost breathtaking in its tactlessness.

Only those unfortunate parents who have lost a child can know the suffering involved."

After that scurrilous article by Brian Ward appeared in the newspaper, Mr. Mohamed, the young father who lost his seven-year-old daughter while working in the middle of the North sea, stated : "British Rail have attacked me and my family. I was at work in the middle of the North Sea on the day she died. Lisa was on a visit to my aunt for the day.

At the time of the incident my aunt was in her front garden along with several other adults, and in front of her house is a large field surrounded by houses and a school.

There is virtually no traffic, only the occasional car going past to a nearby farm. My aunt has brought up a large family in that home for over 12 years and her children along with neighbouring kids have played on the field for many years without incident.

No one thought for a moment Lisa could without instruction or hindrance walk straight on the main Newcastle to Sunderland line after seeing horses on the other field."

That is precisely what happened.

Following that outburst from British Rail's so-called "public relations officer", I found on my return to the constituency last weekend that the Gazette had reported that a lorry had been hit by a train at the very spot on the crossing where Lisa was killed 18 months ago. The newspaper reported that the lorry driver, Andrew Atkinson, 25, narrowly cheated death when the 12.30 pm Sunderland to Newcastle train demolished the back of his lorry. I repeat that that happened on the very same crossing on which a young girl was killed, yet British Rail had the effrontery to blame her parents for not supervising their child. It is a dangerous crossing.

I ask British Rail to make a public apology to Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed for its outburst. I also call for the sacking of Mr. Brian Ward. Perhaps he should be sent to work on the North sea oil rigs where he could perhaps do the job that Philip Mohamed had to give up so that he could look after his ill wife following their daughter's death. I hope also that the Minister for Public Transport will disassociate himself from British Rail's remarks. I apologise to the House for having to speak in this

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Adjournment debate, but I was so appalled by British Rail's attack on parents who had lost their seven-year-old daughter that I felt that it was my duty to do so.

4.37 pm

Mr. James Kilfedder (North Down) : Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of calling on a new constituent, Mrs. Noreen Hill, at her new home in Holywood in my constituency. However, that visit was tinged with sadness because, as some hon. Members will recall, Mrs. Hill's husband, Ronnie, a former school headmaster, has been in a coma for over four years since being seriously injured in the notorious IRA terrorist explosion at the remembrance day service in Enniskillen in 1987.

I was deeply moved by Mrs. Hill's quiet courage, dignity and total commitment to the loving care of her husband. She prays as we all do, that Ronnie will one day come out of his coma. To that end, she constantly talks to him in the belief that he understands what she says and that it will eventually help his recovery. I am sure that, like me, all hon. Members admire that wonderful couple and I pray that Noreen Hill's hopes will be realised.

However, I compare the tremendous service that Ronnie Hill gave to the community of Enniskillen, especially as a headmaster, and the love, care and dedication of Noreen Hill, with the ruthless, merciless and cowardly behaviour of the IRA which caused that explosion and so many of the atrocities in Northern Ireland during the past 20 years and more.

The police have warned the people of Ulster that they face increased atrocities from the terrorists during the Christmas season. Is it not ironic that, when goodly people, prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and provide a memorable and happy time for their children, evil men lurk in the dark recesses of Northern Ireland and, indeed, mainland Great Britain, planning death, mutilation and destruction?

The massive 1,000 lb IRA van bomb which caused such grievous injuries and havoc last week in Belfast could easily have caused widespread carnage. Indeed, it was a miracle that no one died in that explosion, but the IRA demonstrated what, of course, we have known for years. It demonstrated by that bomb outrage that it was at war even with little children, because it badly damaged the opera house where a Christmas pantomime "Babes in the Wood" was being rehearsed, to which many families and their children were looking forward with infinite delight.

The IRA wishes to destroy the economy of Northern Ireland. I pay tribute to the spirit of the business men of the Province who, never daunted, though often depressed, reopen as soon as possible after their premises are damaged by IRA bombs or incendiary devices. Previously, grants were provided by the Government so that the firms could pay for security guards at the premises. It is time for the Government to reintroduce financial assistance. The money would be well spent. It could certainly save businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds.

I am deeply worried about the number of unemployed in my constituency of North Down and the lack of sufficient vacancies, especially for school leavers and graduates. I have complained in the past to the Minister responsible in Northern Ireland that the North Down area benefits least from Government help, because most effort is concentrated in the west and south of the Province.

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Therefore, I appeal to the Government to attract more inward investment to my constituency. I urge the Government to get the unemployment in the North Down area off the dole queues. I urge them to give hope and help to our young people. I have met many young people in my constituency who are out of a job. It is difficult to explain the position to them. They are disheartened, and I do not blame them. They are disenchanted, and I fully understand that. That is why I believe that we must help our most prized possessions in Northern Ireland--our young people. I make that appeal strongly and fervently to the Government tonight.

I appeal for adequate recreational facilities for children and young people in my constituency. For instance, they see the vast concrete marina in Bangor, which has cost millions of pounds and has row upon row of expensive yachts beyond the reach of the vast majority of people in the area. Indeed, many of the yachts belong to people from outside the area. The young people feel--in my opinion. rightly--that they are victims of economic discrimination. As no recreational facilities, or only inadequate facilities, are provided in their separate areas, either in Bangor, Holywood, Conlig or Dundonald, they feel that others are benefiting and they are losing. I refer in particular to places in Bangor such as Kilcooley, Whitehill and Bloomfield. I also think of Holywood, which is in need of better recreational facilities. Young children in Conlig have asked through me for playgrounds for many years. Other areas also suffer a lack of such facilities.

In this season of good will, when we concentrate our intentions on young people, the Government should bear in mind their needs and the fact that, if facilities are not provided, it is all too easy for young people to go astray. It would be money well invested to provide recreational facilities. I hope that the Government will listen to and heed my appeal.

4.44 pm

Mr. Alfred Morris (Manchester, Wythenshawe) : There are two very important issues I want briefly to raise before the House is asked to approve the motion. Both are of urgent public concern and affect the interests of people whose claims to the attention of this House are of undoubted priority. They are issues about which there ought at least to be ministerial statements before we rise for the recess. I turn first to the issue of homelessness this Christmas, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) referred in his business question. Everyone expects there to be more people sleeping rough this year than at any other Christmas in the post-war years. As the Leader of the House may be aware, I have for many years been a trustee of Crisis, still perhaps more widely known as Crisis at Christmas. The deep social concern of all who work for the charity, in whose splendid achievements Lady Macleod can take especial pride, is well appreciated on both sides of the House. My own approach to the challenge of homelessness is very much informed by their work. Crisis recognises that homeless people are to be found not only in London and gives vitally important help to voluntary organisations which work to reduce the suffering that homelessness causes in many parts of Britain.

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By contrast, the Government are widely accused of ignoring the claims of homeless people outside the capital. I quote a recent letter sent to me by Shelter. Simon Keyes, its director of housing services, said :

"The Housing Minister has announced some provision for people sleeping rough in London this winter but has, once again, limited the scope of this provision to London only. This is despite evidence from Shelter's report on the big freeze' last February and the recent official census data showing that the majority of people sleeping rough are outside London. Sixty per cent. of those counted in the census were outside the capital."

That is very strong criticism, well justified by the facts, and Shelter is right to call on the Government to extend to the rest of Britain the full range of initiatives being undertaken in London. After all, homelessness is no less calamitous for people living elsewhere in Britain than it is in London, especially at this time of the year. Nor can Ministers be unaware of its cost in human terms. Ministers must know that last year, in Manchester alone, there were five recorded cases of people dying from sleeping out during the winter. Their deaths in my native city naturally cause me very deep concern. Yet Manchester is not alone in the north-west it its difficulties in trying to cope with the worst-ever homelessness crisis. There, as elsewhere, the rising tide of repossessions by building societies is an ever more worrying factor.

Council-owned hostels in Bury are authoritatively reported to be almost full and bed-and-breakfast accommodation may have to be found by next Wednesday for families there who face repossession of their homes. At present only 91 council properties are vacant. Most of them are unsuitable for living in, owing to vandalism, fire damage, dilapidation or the fact that they are too small for families. The situation is set to worsen soon, and Joseph Robinson, the council's assistant housing director, said last week :

"This is the worst situation our staff can recall."

At the same time, the housing chairman said :

"We are in desperate circumstances. We have only one vacancy in our temporary hostels and nine families are due to have their homes repossessed by 18 December."

He went on :

"It's not helped by the fact that we are having to sell 300 council homes every year, but are unable to spend the money on building new ones."

I hope that the Leader of the House will accept that we must have a ministerial statement on this issue before the House rises for the Christmas recess. He may have seen Tim Rayment's reports in The Sunday Times about homelessness this Christmas, with their emphasis not only on London but on giving the national picture. His reports bear moving testimony to the priority of the claims of a huge number of our fellow citizens who, without very urgent help, will have to spend Christmas on the streets in localities all over Britain. The second issue I wish to raise concerns severely disabled people whose well-being and often whose personal freedom and safety depend heavily on the availability of services to which they are entitled under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. At Question Time on 3 December I raised from the Opposition Front Bench a number of crucial questions about the difficulties that more and more disabled people now experience in trying to secure and/or retain the services to which the Act entitles them. I asked the Minister for Health :

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