Mr Michael Trend: Why does my hon. Friend feel that a legal framework would stifle rather than help to bring about a change in attitude or approach? I can think of some circumstances in which a change of attitude might be stifled by a draconian measure, but in the present case a change of law may encourage and accelerate—as seems to have happened in other parts of the English-speaking world—a move...
Mr Michael Trend: Does my hon. Friend agree that magistrates have been discouraged in recent years from committing offenders to gaol in certain circumstances? Some have become demoralised and have left the Bench because they felt that they were not encouraged to take the steps that my hon. Friend advocates.
Mr Michael Trend: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the economic indicators published since the Budget for car registrations, industrial production and retail sales; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Michael Trend: Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is extremely encouraging that the upturn in economic activity is so broadly based? Is it not evident that this improvement has been under way for some time now in the face of unremitting gloom from the Opposition Front Bench?
Mr Michael Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further action his Department is taking to reduce fraud.
Mr Michael Trend: Does my right hon. Friend agree that every pound lost to fraud means less for those in real need? Does he agree that the Government have a moral commitment to pursue vigorously fraud and abuse, which hurts the very people whom the social security system is designed to help?
Mr Michael Trend: We have heard some fairly extravagant claims about the supposed tyranical powers of government, and the efficacy of a right to know Bill, so I shall begin by setting the Bill in context. Although I do not feel that I can support the Bill of the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher), there is a great deal of value in it and I hope that many of its ends will be achieved...
Mr Michael Trend: I accept the hon. Gentleman's last point, but the experience of other countries such as Canada and Australia, set out in excellent papers given at a conference earlier this month, shows that there was not a groundswell of opinion in favour of change there before their legislation was introduced. I am not saying that it is necessary to have that groundswell for there to be a Bill, but I am...
Mr Michael Trend: I am essentially saying that because the wind appears to have changed, there is an opportunity to get on to a better tack. Such opportunities may have occurred in the past, but the wind changed and the ship of state sailed in its familiar direction again. In my concluding remarks, I shall say that if I do not feel that there has been a sea change, I shall be more inclined—probably...
Mr Michael Trend: Still, that ballot reveals who is up and who is down in a most delightful manner. The Cabinet Committee minutes might do the same. I approve of recent initiatives to release more historical material, and they could be extended to other areas. Such developments are of a piece with the citizens charter. In an age when the most frequently heard response to all of life's problems seem to be,...
Mr Michael Trend: No, not at all. If the House is determined, in the end, who can stop it?
Mr Michael Trend: While we are dwelling on partisan matters, I might add that experience from other countries suggests that freedom of information legislation adds nothing to the political response that one might achieve by asking a direct question in the legislature. Most Members of Parliament in Canada and Australia are obtaining their information in that way, rather than using freedom of information legislation.
Mr Michael Trend: I have experienced that once in my brief career. By thinking carefully which information it would be impossible for the Minister not to give in reply, I thought my way round one flank, but I am afraid that the pincer movement did not quite work. I am saying that the power of hon. Members to ask a question is greater than any other power.
Mr Michael Trend: rose—[interruptionl I should like to make a little progress. I know that the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms. Jackson) is keen to speak and I am keen to hear her. I do not subscribe to another claim made by some freedom of information enthusiasts that only through such legislation can rights be ensured. The same effect will occur as the Government move ahead with their own...
Mr Michael Trend: It was brilliant.
Mr Michael Trend: From listening to the Opposition, one would think that a £37 billion national health service was the end of the world, instead of the envy of the world which indeed it is. We have witnessed the political football marked "underfunding" being kicked about wildly and heard the national health service being talked down. Overall, I believe that the national health service is in good shape and...
Mr Michael Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment she has made of the effect of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill on the rights of individual union members.
Mr Michael Trend: Will my hon. Friend confirm that the legislation is another positive step towards establishing individual rights for trade union members and that it is in the best traditions of the Conservative party since 1979? Will he also confirm that every extension of trade union democracy has been opposed by the TUC and the Labour party?
Mr Michael Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about human rights in Tibet.
Mr Michael Trend: In view of the appalling human rights record in Tibet, will the Government use their good offices and best endeavours to encourage direct negotiations between the People's Republic of China and the Tibetans on the basis—and this is the heart of the matter—that there be no pre-conditions on either side?
