Mr Spencer Le Marchant: The Bill is probably one of the best pieces of legislation on housing that there has been for a long time, according to Father Byrne, of Shelter. It is a major step forward. We on this side of the House accuse the Opposition members of the Committee of shift—not of shift such as we have seen on Europe, but of a shift of practice, evasion, rotation, the substitution of one thing for another....
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: I have heard that before, but I am glad I gave way to give the hon. Gentleman the opportunity of repeating about the most amusing contribution we had in the Committee proceedings. I come to the hon. Member for Gates-head, West (Mr. Horam), who said at the first sitting that there would be no filibuster. He promised an honest, sensitive and understanding perusal of the Bill. Those of us who...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: That is absolutely correct. I hope I have given enough examples to show the House that the Opposition have no intention of discussing the Bill.
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: No, I will not give way. I was saying that the Opposition have no intention of discussing the Bill. It is an excellent Bill which I commend to the House. A widow in the constituency of Bolsover was recently complaining to me that she, who lived in her own bungalow, was having to subsidise those richer than herself who lived in a council estate at Hindes Green. She said to me "Get this Bill...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: Name him!
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: I completely fail to understand what the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin) was talking about. Does he not realise that the last Government robbed all holders of gilt-edged stock by devaluing the currency? It is obvious to me that if the currency is devalued people are being robbed of what they have earned. For that reason, and because I believe there is a real risk for the investing...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: No. I believe in Government credit. I believe that it should be as high as possible. Obviously, my hon. Friend for St. Ives (Mr. Nott) feels that just because his constituents have land they are not interested in gilt-edged. I believe that it will also help people in all income groups. The rich man who went into this would be paying a great deal of his interest away. Therefore, the hon....
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the increase in the money supply in the second quarter of 1971.
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: Does Friday's Bank of England Consultative Paper show a change of policy? Does it mean that monetary policy will be used to manage the economy or, on the other hand, is it just part of the general policy?
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: I believe that The High Peak has about a quarter of the highest quality limestone in the country. A happy relationship, which works, exists between thoroughly responsible employers and a very good labour force. In my estimation at least 10,000 people, counting dependants, in my constituency depend on these quarries. This concerns not only the quarries but the ancillary services connected with...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: (The High Peak) : I cannot accept the assertion of the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elysian Morgan) that this is a failure of private enterprise. The 1968 Act was in no way an Act of private enterprise. Indeed the last year has been a serious blight. I will state the reasons why I believe it happened. We lost this large number of passenger hours for two main reasons. The hon. Gentleman will...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: Hon. Members on both sides of the House clearly understand the difficulties of bus companies. I have received nothing but kindness when I have been to the North-West Car Company about the difficult rural areas which I represent, in its efforts to try to help me in connection with those services. It has been difficult, though, explaining to people throughout the constituency why city fares are...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: I am grateful to you, Mr. Speaker, for having called me. I will be brief. It is impossible not to be controversial in this debate. Anyone who has sat throughout these two days of debate would not be able to make a remark that would not be controversial to someone, and I bear in mind that in the next few days I must perforce away to Banbury and that on the way back to High Peak I have to pass...
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to encourage savings through life assurance and unit trusts.
Mr Spencer Le Marchant: Is my hon. Friend aware what an advantage it would be to the insurance industry if it were exempted from paying short-term capital gains tax, and equally if unit trusts were exempted from capital gains tax—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—quite right; I am sorry—where there would be no net disinvestment.
