Mr Neville Sandelson: In view of the chaotic conditions now reigning— [HON. MEMBERS: "Reading"]—will the Prime Minister now hold an inquiry into the financing of London Transport to ensure that there is a rational system of subsidies that will provide the proper level of fares and the efficient service that the people of London have a right to expect?
Mr Neville Sandelson: I hope that the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) will forgive me if I do not take up all the points that he raised, although I sympathise with much of what he said. The debate is short and I shall be brief. I hope to be to the point. I agree with almost everything that the right hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Concannon) said. The renewal of the emergency provisions is both...
Mr Neville Sandelson: First, I thank the Minister for his kind reference to me when I entered the Chamber. I apologise to him for having missed his opening remarks. As he rightly observed, this is a rather special day for the Social Democratic Party, both at Westminster and in the country. On behalf of my party, I express its anger and sorrow at the wicked murder of Robert Bradford, which has resulted in a great...
Mr Neville Sandelson: No, but we believe that the present high rate of the pound is acting as a major deterrent to British export performance both here and in the Province and that the Government are showing an inflexible disregard for the position in which British manufacturing industry and exporters are finding themselves. Every week brings its increasing sorry toll of more and more good companies under...
Mr Neville Sandelson: It is certainly my view that Britain must, in all circumstances, accept a high share of responsibility in regard to the position in Northern Iraland. However, I will try to answer the question put to me by the Minister. Britain on her own is no longer in a position to bring about a solution to the political issues or the deteriorating economic problems of the Province. The United Kingdom and...
Mr Neville Sandelson: For a long time ahead, Britain will have to shoulder the primary burden. However, I believe that in both areas—the political and economic—we should introduce a wider international dimension.
Mr Neville Sandelson: I take the point made by the right hon. Gentleman about—
Mr Neville Sandelson: I am most obliged, Mr. Deputy Speaker. As I am now back on course, I shall conclude with a statement of some importance concerning the enunciation of the basic principles of Britain's future relationship with the Province. Dealing with the industry and the economy of the area—
Mr Neville Sandelson: I shall not take up that point. It is a point of much wider debate and economic consideration. I shall stick to what I believe to be the important theme that I have tried to make in the debate. If I have overstepped the appropriateness of the occasion, I apologise to the House. Nevertheless, it is important that I conclude my remarks by maintaining the theme that I have been putting forward....
Mr Neville Sandelson: Perhaps the debate has not been the appropriate occasion, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for the kind of statement I have made. However, I believe it to be an important statement, and perhaps nothing has been lost. In conclusion, my contention is that Britain alone cannot resolve the problems that are the subject of tonight's debate, or the problems of the the wider area. Britain's duty to the Ulster...
Mr Neville Sandelson: I welcome the initiatives that have been taken by the Government, which will have our firm support, but what consideration has been given by the right hon. Lady and Dr. FitzGerald to the introduction of a wider dimension as an aid to further progress? Is it not possible that the European Community and its agencies can be of great practical assistance, and that an international solution,...
Mr Neville Sandelson: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Mr Neville Sandelson: I assure the Home Secretary of the firm support of my right hon. and hon. Friends for his measures and for any measures that will strengthen the hand of the police in these unprecedented times. Does he recognise—I heard what he said to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer)— that the Government will ignore the social factors at their peril and at the peril of the nation? Under...
Mr Neville Sandelson: Go back to Moscow.
Mr Neville Sandelson: In view of what the hon. Gentleman has said, will he make it clear to the House that the captain to whom he referred played no part in the offence committed by the other two men and that his only offence—if it was one—was to withhold information?
Mr Neville Sandelson: My right hon. and hon. Friends supported the motion calling for an inquiry, but there should be no misunderstanding about our reasons. We do not believe that there should be any lowering of our guards against terrorist activity and the continuing threat of it. Our vote did not signify any complacency or moral weakness, faced as we are by deadly, clandestine groups in our midst. We have...
Mr Neville Sandelson: If the Secretary of State fails to reappraise and to accept the position that we have urged this evening, we, too, may have to reconsider our position should he return to the House for a continuance of these powers yet again.
Mr Neville Sandelson: I shall be as brief as possible, because time is so short. It has been painfully obvious that the position in London has been deteriorating for several years. It has certainly grown worse over the past two years. The responsibility lies with successive Labour and Conservative Governments. It is hypocrisy for either of the two main parties to claim a monopoly of virtue or to attribute a...
Mr Neville Sandelson: I was, but I cannot guarantee that I shall stay much longer.
Mr Neville Sandelson: rose—
