| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Mr. Bradshaw: The right hon. Gentleman says that they are bogus. He may have heard the Home Secretary on the "Today" programme this morning, challenging anyone who says that. He made it clear that, outside the House, he would call that person a liar. If they wanted to, they could sue him. The figures are not bogus, but good and reliable, and they should be welcomed by hon. Members on both sides of the House. It is hypocritical of Conservative Members to moan on about asylum and then oppose measures because they affect their constituencies that would make the asylum system more effective. That seemed to be the attitude of the hon. Member for Gosport in opposing a secure centre in or near his constituency.
Speeches were made about the general repercussions of devolution. The hon. Member for Strangford (Mrs. Robinson) spoke about Northern Ireland, where devolution is temporarily suspended. My hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mark Tami) spoke about Wales, as did my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, West (Gareth Thomas).
Several hon. Members chose highly specific subjects. The hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) spoke about cystic fibrosis sufferers and their inability to secure drugs on prescription. I have personally written to the relevant Health Minister on that subject and would be happy to secure a substantive response from him. The hon. Member for Southend, West raised similar issues about rheumatoid arthritis. My hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Hurst) expressed the justifiable concern of his constituents about any expansion of Stansted airport. In doing so, he showed what an excellent constituency MP he is.
My hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks) revealed himself, not for the first time, as a great champion of London's Olympic bid, and I am sure that he will continue to fight to ensure that the bid is successful. The whole House will wish him well in that campaign.
My hon. Friends the Members for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) and for Nottingham, North made thoughtful speeches about the importance of good parenting in tackling antisocial behaviour and other social problems for which bad parenting may be responsible. My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North made some important points about how to engage young people in some of our most challenging communities.
The hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) spoke about the case of Kenny Ritchie, which I heard about at length in a recent radio programme. It is indeed a worrying case and I will draw his comments to the attention of the Foreign Office, to see whether it can do any more to help his constituent on death row in the United States.
As we prepare to head off for the Whitsun recess, my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) painted a terrifying picture of the perils of flying. He should be congratulated on his campaign to make airline companies liable for the health of passengers. I suggest to him and the House that that is all the more reason for hon. Members and members of the public outside who may not have decided what to do with any free time over the next few days to spend it in the United Kingdom—holidaying here rather than spending their money abroad.
Finally, that brings me to a regular theme in recess Adjournments—various invitations by hon. Members to experience the delights of their own constituencies. The hon. Member for North Cornwall drew our attention to the beauty of his county and my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, East surprised me—I have to say—by painting a very attractive picture of West Bromwich. The Times journalist, Mr. Andrew Pierce, whom he had a go at, must have been unkind about the area in a recent article. I hope that Mr. Pierce will take up my hon. Friend's offer to visit West Bromwich during the Whitsun recess and experience some of the delights that he described. I hope that he will not be insulted to discover that I intend to spend the recess in Exeter and Devon—the best part of Britain.
Mr. Phil Woolas (Oldham, East and Saddleworth): I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
PETITIONS
Pharmacy Services
6 pm
Ms Julia Drown (South Swindon): I present a petition, collected in the South Swindon constituency, of more than 2,000 signatures, entitled "Save our pharmacy services". My constituents value the dedicated service that they get from their local pharmacies and want to see them protected.
- The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to reject proposals that would allow unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.
Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme): I have pleasure in presenting a petition signed by 2,140 people, on behalf of Michael Morrell of Morrell's pharmacy in Knutton, Richard Else of Bradwell pharmacy, Anthony Milward of Milward's chemists in Milehouse, Judith Hagen of Cornwall's chemists in Silverdale and Mr. Patel of Hollowood chemists in Clayton, all of whom are community pharmacists in my constituency.
- We declare that the removal of restrictions on pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions will have a detrimental effect on local chemists.
The Petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to urge the Government both to reject proposals that would allow unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions and to preserve local pharmacies and safeguard their continued services to local communities.
The Petitioners remain, etc.
Fireworks
6.1 pm
Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme): I have pleasure in presenting petitions signed by more than 550 people on behalf of my constituents, Derek Blackford, Stephen Jones and Lillian Hadley.
- We declare that the year-round sale of fireworks is detrimental to the well-being of those who find their use upsetting, such as the elderly, wildlife and pets. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons introduce legislation to restrict the sale of fireworks to the general public to the week before the 5th November.
The Petitioners remain, etc.
ADJOURNMENT
- That this House do now adjourn—[Mr. Woolas.]
- Adjourned accordingly at two minutes past Six o'clock.
| Index | Home Page |