Captain Walter Elliot: asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decision she has made in response to the request from the Cheshire County Council that it should cease to maintain the Nautical Training School, known as HMS "Conway", as an aided school, with effect from 31st August 1974.
Captain Walter Elliot: Is my hon. Friend aware that when Cheshire County Council gave notice in November 1972 to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that it wished to cease responsibility for HMS "Conway", the Conway Club considered taking over the school to save it, but was choked off by the Cheshire County Council's demand for a rent of £20,000 per annum, with a review every five years, including a full...
Captain Walter Elliot: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with magistrates on the non-payment of fines ; and if he will make a statement.
Captain Walter Elliot: Will my hon. and learned Friend examine the action that has been taken by the Manchester City justices? During the last quarter of 1971 a total of 243 defaulters were committed to prison forthwith, and they all paid up at once. The process was continued during 1972. It was so successful that the cashier had to attend the court to collect the fines. In addition, the justices were able to make...
Captain Walter Elliot: HMS "Conway" was established in 1859. For nearly 11 years she has given valuable service to the nation. During that period many changes have taken place and "Conway" has adapted to the needs of the times. Credit is due to generations of management committees and shipowners who have recognised the vital contribution made by "Conway" to our maritime interests and who have given their time and...
Captain Walter Elliot: A good many tens of thousands of pounds of that money were depreciation costs, and Cheshire has been using the buildings for its own purposes, and so on.
Captain Walter Elliot: My hon. Friend says that he cannot offer that undertaking from the Dispatch Box. I appreciate that, but perhaps the matter can be looked into.
Captain Walter Elliot: The Opposition motion is a typical Labour motion. It blames the Government for not doing someone else's job. If the Government are responsible for services in London, obviously they are responsible for services in every other big city. That is quite absurd. The Government can help, of course, but it is the Greater London Council which is responsible for services in the city. In the motion we...
Captain Walter Elliot: The shortage of specialised teachers is serious. I do not belittle the problem for a moment, but the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury did not say that. He gave the impression that the Inner London Education Authority was gravely short of teachers. He should have given the true picture, as I am giving it.
Captain Walter Elliot: I know those figures, too; I do not deny them. But I will not dwell on the point any longer. In the screed from the GLC there is a reference to a decline in privately rented accommodation. There is a decline, but it lies ill in the months of Socialists to remark on it. They are largely responsible for the shortage, for the blackguarding of good landlords who have done a good job for a...
Captain Walter Elliot: I intervene only because of my earlier remarks in praise of London. Does the hon. Gentleman realise that only in England is milk delivered? That service does not obtain anywhere else in the world.
Captain Walter Elliot: Does my right hon. Friend agree that the trouble in London is not the overall shortage of teachers but the shortage in various specialised subjects?
Captain Walter Elliot: Is my right hon. Friend aware that part of the trouble is the gross misrepresentation of this business by the ILEA? In all the circumstances, is it not time to look at this authority as a whole to see whether it is efficiently carrying out its job and, if possible, to get rid of it?
Captain Walter Elliot: I should like to introduce a cautionary note. ZANU and ZAPU have both been given observer status at the United Nations, as was the party from Guinea Besau which went on to be recognised. The writing is on the wall.
Captain Walter Elliot: Will my right hon. and learned Friend give way to me?
Captain Walter Elliot: Before the hon. Lady leaves the differentials between public service employees and others, can she state the difference in pension expectations between the two groups?
Captain Walter Elliot: If, as appears likely, large Egyptian forces are surrounded, unless they get food and water they are likely to die of hunger or thirst. Before that happens, does not my right hon. Friend feel that fighting may well break out again, and does he not feel that some approach should be made to see that those forces get food and water?
Captain Walter Elliot: My hon. Friend referred to the means which we have at present to repel boarding attempts. Does my hon. Friend agree that if the Icelanders seriously step up their attempts to board our ships that will greatly increase the risk of serious injury or even of death to the people concerned? Will he bear that in mind?
Captain Walter Elliot: With this we are to take Amendment No. 9, in page 8, line 5, leave out ' £1,000 ' and insert ' £1,050 '.
Captain Walter Elliot: Order. Did the Minister of State give way or had he finished his speech?
