Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: Will the Leader of the House accept that it is imperative for us to have an early debate on the unemployment problems of the North-West, which has 357,000 people unemployed—12·5 per cent. of the total population in the region—a fact that is creating misery and distress? May I exhort the right hon. Gentleman to recognise that we need to debate thoroughly and quickly the causes of the...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: What Easter message will the Prime Minister send to the thousands of young people and school leavers in my area, many of whom are leaving school when there are only four job vacancies? How does he suggest that they should share the joys of Easter when their first job will be to join the dole queue, which in my area already consists of 5,000 unemployed?
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the April meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: I shall speak as rapidly as possible. The House will agree that the position of the textile industry as a whole is lamentable. The industry has declined over the last 20 to 25 years. It has been totally ignored by successive Governments, who have treated its problems with no urgency, even though that was absolutely imperative if the industry was to survive over that period. Ultimately we...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: I want to refer first to one or two matters raised by the Secretary of State for Energy, and particularly to the mining industry. He wondered why—in my opinion his remark will be interpreted by the British mining industry as a rather niggardly and grudging compliment—morale was low, as Opposition Members alleged, when productivity was so high. There is no single reason for high...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: It is too early. All that is against the background of 7,000 fewer miners in the industry and many colliery closures. Sir Derek Ezra, the chairman of the National Coal Board, said: These improved results are coming at the right time—they are badly needed to help the industry to cope with major problems inflicted on us by the general recession in Britain. Who created the general recession?...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: I shall come to that later. I am sure that the hon. Member will be attentive. There are alternative formulas to the straitjacket of pure monetarism. Let us examine the current situation developing in the industry. The Secretary of State called for greater efficiency in industry. The British mining industry has nothing to fear in that respect. Its record is impeccable in comparison with other...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: I regret that the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) is not in the Chamber. He attempted a statistical slug-out over increases in productivity reflecting unit costs. In Committee he consistently distorted beyond recognition the facts, figures and image of our mining industry. It is claimed that Labour Members are too pessimistic about the future of our mining industry, but the Government are...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: The National Union of Mineworkers has said that it would like to be financially independent. However, it has also said that independence must be given over a rationally phased period. The Opposition have repeatedly and clearly said that if industry is given incentives, and is allowed to use its initiative, it will create the type of financial conditions that all parties would welcome....
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: As a political apprentice serving on my first Committee, I appreciated the help which was given to me to understand the mechanics, intrigue and straight ideological conflicts that take place between hon. Members on both sides in Committee. The Government's programme and legislation depict their attitude towards a philosophy that is obviously consistent with the sectional profits interest of...
Mr Lawrence Cunliffe: Like all new Members of Parliament, may I start, as my first duty, by placing on record my appreciation and gratitude for the help, advice and kindness which is usually shown to us by established Members of Parliament. I should like to mention my predecessor, Harold Boardman, who served this House for 34 years. He had a reputation as a quiet, efficient and methodical constituency Member of...
