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5.31 pm
Mr. Shailesh Vara (North-West Cambridgeshire) (Con): May I start by thanking all the speakers who took part in the summer recess Adjournment debate? Some of the faces are familiar, and some less so, and one Member admitted to being a newcomer to recess Adjournment debates. As usual, we have covered a number of subjects, including domestic and constituency matters. We have also covered the international spectrum. All arguments were put forward effectively and in excellent speeches, and I commend all hon. Members present for having stayed the course until almost the last minute before the recess.
The right hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) started off the proceedings by expressing his concerns about local health provision. He raised the issue of the misuse of public funds, a subject that gives rise to controversy in all of our constituencies. My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Angela Browning) raised a number of important points, including the efficiency of Ministers. I hope that the letter that she hoped would be on her desk by close of business today has duly arrived.
Mr. Vara: I am sorry that the letter has not arrived. I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House has taken that on board, and that her assistants are dealing with it. The hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) spoke about drugs and their impact on the global market. I am sure that all of us in the Chamber are familiar with the distress and havoc that drugs cause, as a result of people coming to see us in our surgeries, and from the letters that we receive.
The hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) raised the issue of the closure of a 24-hour clinic for mentally ill people, an
issue that causes much concern. Mental illness carries an undue stigma, and it is right that we raise the issue as often as possible, so that we can get rid of that stigma. The hon. Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) gave a learned speech about local education. It is noteworthy that he spoke of the interaction between all the schools in Norwich. Long may his local schools continue to flourish.
We then heard a passionate speech from my hon. Friend the Member for Worthing, West (Peter Bottomley), who raised the important matter of British citizens in Australia not getting what can be called a fair pension. I very much hope that the Deputy Leader of the House took those arguments on board and that she will relay them to the relevant Minister. I wish my hon. Friend well in his campaign to get clemency for Krishna Maharaj on his visit to the United States during the recess.
The hon. Members for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) and for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) both made eloquent speeches on the need for a referendum on the European treaty. I was struck by the point made by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston when she rightly pointed out that the issue concerns not just a small number of people, but many throughout the country.
My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) spoke about Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust and the revelation of an £87 million deficit. That is an extremely serious matter, and I wish him and his community well in their efforts to resolve it expeditiously. My hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess), a regular attender at Adjournment debates, spoke of the breakdown in British society. He was right to point out that the new Prime Minister cannot distance himself from the problems that have emerged over the past 10 years, because he has been closely involved in the running of the country over the past decade.
The hon. Member for Glasgow, North-West (John Robertson) raised a number of topics, including community initiatives. He highlighted the good work being carried out by Insight Radio for blind and partially sighted people, a group which is extremely vulnerable in our society. I am sure they welcome all that the radio does for them. The hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) spoke of the need for more council houses. Regrettably, I must inform him that in every year of the past decade less social housing has been built than in every year of the preceding Government.
The hon. Member for Hove (Ms Barlow) brought a light touch and a slightly happier tone to the debate by giving a big welcome to the new stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion. I am sure that all the supporters locally will join in those congratulatory messages. The hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Davies) made an argument that comes regularly from Opposition Members about the importance of police officers being present on the street in greater numbers, rather than sitting at desks writing reams of forms. I hope that his point will add to the argument about police officers on our streets.
The hon. Member for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer) dealt with the breaches of electoral law—again, a matter that concerns many in the Chamber—and what happens at
local elections. She made a valid point about the need to ensure that there is proper training for returning officers and all their officials who look after elections in our constituencies. My hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink), despite having lost his voice, made an enthusiastic speech. As usual, he covered a number of local issues. On the national level he was very serious, and I am sure we share his concern, about the threat to palliative care. We wish him well in his campaign.
The hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) spoke about, among other things, the inaccurate bills and material received by consumers of British Gas. That is a serious matter which affects consumers of other utility companies as well. I wish him well in dealing with his constituents, and I hope that utility companies throughout the country will take note that the complaint is not confined to British Gas. My hon. Friend the Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) spoke in his first recess Adjournment debate, and what a welcome contribution it was, if I may say so. He drew attention to the closure of the GP service in one of his villages, a service that has existed for some 100 years. I hope that the dispute between the two health authorities will be resolved quickly, because people are suffering as a consequence of the failure to arrive at a solution.
The hon. Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones) spoke about a number of issues. He raised several serious questions concerning the relationship between council officials and a private company. I believe that some serious answers are required, and I hope that he receives them.
The hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) discussed access to free banking, which many people, particularly in rural areas, obtain through their local post offices. Many rural people are suffering in all sorts of ways with the decline in any number of other services. I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House has taken that point on board and that she will relay it to the relevant Minister.
The hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) made his speech in his inimitable style. He raised the serious issue of access for disabled people at Tilbury railway station. I wish him well for his constituents, and that important point needs to be taken on board by railway companies throughout the country.
My hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) discussed the enormous difficulty and misery that many of his constituents are experiencing as a result of the flooding that has affected so many people throughout the country. The flooding will, of course, mean costly reparations for both infrastructure and people’s houses and valuables. I think that hon. Members agree that it should be a priority when the House returns after the recess to have a debate in Government time on the lessons to be learned, so that in the event of a threat of future floods, we can avoid the damage and destruction that has occurred on this occasion.
Finally, despite being deprived of his full quota of speaking time, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) eloquently put forward all that he had to say. He discussed the noise and disturbance caused by aircraft flying in and out of East Midlands airport. Those of us who are fortunate enough not to live or work in areas where aircraft fly
overhead sometimes underestimate the distress that aircraft can cause to those who have to put up with regular noise. The campaign will not be easy, but I know that he is a doughty campaigner on the issue. I wish him well and hope that there will be a resolution that brings a bit of peace to all those concerned.
All that remains for me to do is to wish all hon. Members and you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a happy, peaceful and restful recess. I want to extend that wish to all the staff of the House and particularly to the security staff, who in these difficult times do so much to ensure that we can carry on living, working and trying to look after the interests of all whom we serve.
5.43 pm
The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Helen Goodman): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara), who has kept to his side of the bargain on keeping to time in a very co-operative manner.
I, too, shall begin with a confession: this is my first summer Adjournment debate. Now that I have been initiated into its mysteries, I hope that hon. Members will be satisfied by the way in which I respond to their points.
My right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) raised a delayed private finance initiative project. As I understand it, the project has been delayed because the costs have risen by more than £200 million. That is obviously a matter for the Department of Health, and I will draw it to the attention of Health Ministers, but in so far as my right hon. Friend is concerned about the proper use of public money, that is, of course, a matter for the National Audit Office.
My right hon. Friend also raised the serious problem of video games, and I will refer the matter to colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Finally, my right hon. Friend raised the case of his constituent whose car had been impounded. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are aware of that case, but I will ensure that Treasury Ministers take account of it.
The hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Angela Browning) is concerned about the advent of unitary status in her county. I can tell her that the parliamentary question has now been answered, and I hope that there is a letter on the Letter Board. I will draw the attention of my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government to her concerns about the criteria. As for floods, I heard this morning that we have had more rain than in any summer since 1789, so she is right about the assessment of the flood plains.
My hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) talked about the economy of the drugs market. When he began, I thought that I would be called on to refer those issues to the Home Office, or possibly to the Ministry of Justice, but as he developed his argument it became clear that the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development also have an interest in what is happening in this terrible trade.
The hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) asked about the position of the Sri Lankan Tamils. I have been informed that the Border and Immigration Agency is actively engaging with detainees to discuss their concerns.
The hon. Gentleman talked about the housing problems in his constituency, his concern about the closure of Maudsley hospital, about post office closures and about transport. I hope that he realises that we are continuing with the Crossrail legislation because we are committed to that piece of infrastructure for the capital. The issue of financing will follow once the legal infrastructure is in place.
My hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) talked about academies, particularly about Heartsease school in his constituency. He was concerned about the role of sponsors and the quality of education in that school, which has clearly been a controversial matter. It was evident that he is a former Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, given his particular concern about the quality of science teaching in the school.
The hon. Member for Worthing, West (Peter Bottomley) raised several issues. I am fully aware of the problem of overseas pensioners, which centres on the contributory part of the state retirement pension. He talked about the reconfiguration of hospitals in West Sussex and his frustration about that. I am sure that he is aware of the next-stage review that Lord Darzi will undertake. Although there may be some difficulties with the reconfiguration of the hospitals, his primary care trust has had a 31.2 per cent. increase in resources over the past three years, and waiting lists in the NHS south-east area are down from over 30,000 to 32.
Finally, the hon. Gentleman raised the question of the clemency appeal in the United States for Krishna Maharaj. I understand that the former Foreign Office Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), has written to the Americans about that and that British consul will attend the clemency hearing on 10 August.
The hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) also talked about the Maudsley. She mentioned several policy issues where she has looked for significant change—cannabis, casinos, licensing and a referendum on the European Union treaty. I think that she will be more fortunate on the first three than on the last one. She spoke about the Post Office and the liberalisation of the postal market. I will draw her remarks to the attention of my hon. Friend the Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs. It is quite clear that the current stand-off between employees and management is partly about short-term issues, but partly about some long-term policy questions.
The hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) talked about the Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust, and was well apprised of the complex issues in NHS financing. He pointed out that guidance on how to run PFIs has improved with experience, and I remind him that it is up to the primary care trusts to commission local services.
My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) talked about “The Governance of Britain” Green Paper and the need for it to have a more European emphasis. She also talked about her desire to see a referendum on the EU reform treaty. That is unlikely to be forthcoming because the Government’s four red lines, which we set at the outset of the negotiations, have not been broken. That is the
matter that will weigh most heavily when we see the final text of the treaty in September. She is absolutely right about one thing: to be a real European does not mean being totally uncritical of all things European. Like her, I speak as one with mixed parentage.
Mr. Jenkin: Will the Minister give way?
Helen Goodman: No. I am very sorry.
I had always known the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) as a quiet, charming, unassuming member of the Chairman’s Panel, but he proved himself to be rather wilder than that in his assessment of the current state of the country, and he made a number of points with which I totally disagree.
My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, North-West (John Robertson) talked about his ATM campaign. I think that I must have heard the first speech he made on that two years ago in Westminster Hall. It has been a very successful campaign and many people—in his constituency, in mine and in those of other hon. Members—will have benefited hugely from the work that he has done.
The hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) referred to two constituency cases. I will draw those to the attention of the Home Office, and I will raise the question of the rights of the children concerned, as well as the rights of the women. My hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Ms Barlow) raised a connected case, which I shall refer to my hon. Friends in the Home Office and the Foreign Office.
I know that the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Davies) has been active in defending the interests of the Remploy factory in his constituency, and he raised the question of the way in which 90-day consultations operate.
My hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer) raised important issues relating to the running of local elections, and she is quite right to say that those matters need to be referred to the Ministry of Justice. The hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) also talked about the Post Office.
My hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) talked about the need to control utility prices, and I hope that he will be satisfied by the forthcoming energy Bill.
The hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) referred to the closure of a GP surgery in his constituency. Closures of local facilities are a matter of concern, but I point out to him that hitherto, NHS resources were not fairly distributed. The north had far lower per capita resources than the south.
My hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones) was unafraid, as usual, to challenge what he perceives as abuses. He has been energetic in covering scams and I shall raise the issues that he mentioned with the Department for Communities and Local Government.
The hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) talked about fire stations and the problems of providing services in rural areas. Again, I will raise the matter with the Department for Communities and Local Government.
My hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) spoke about Tilbury town railway station. He also asked about the way in which post office closure consultations will be handled and I will refer his comments to the Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs. He considered the welfare of ex-servicemen and women and called for a comprehensive care package, which should, of course, cover members of the Territorial Army. I will refer that matter to the Minister with responsibility for the armed forces.
The hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) talked about the serious problems that his constituents are facing because of flooding. Obviously, the whole House shares his concerns. He will be aware of the arrangements for keeping in touch with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers during the recess. The Department for Communities and Local Government will take on board his points about the long-term implications for water companies to provide sufficient investment. He, too, talked about some of the problems—in the context of ambulance cover—of providing services in rural areas.
The hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) spoke about aircraft noise. I had expected it to be an issue for the Department for Transport or the Department for Communities and Local Government, but I forgot that he was a lawyer. His point about the injunction, if it is applied, is obviously for the Ministry of Justice.
I thank all hon. Members who took part in the debate. I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and your colleagues. I thank all the staff of the House, for their support not only this afternoon but since the previous recess. I wish everybody a pleasant recess. As well as continuing with all the great work in their constituencies, about which we have heard in the past three hours, I ask hon. Members to find some time to have a happy holiday.
Mr. Bob Blizzard (Waveney) (Lab): I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
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