Mr Ralph Howell: I welcome the chance to speak in the debate. The Bill, called the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, could well be described as the "mixed bag" Bill. I find myself in agreement with some of it, but with some I am very much in disagreement. I very much welcome the new measures for the eradication of brucellosis. My right hon. Friend should be congratulated on the speed with which he...
Mr Ralph Howell: Marketing boards are mentioned in them, but probably I should not expect them to have anything to do with marketing boards. The President of the N.F.U., Mr. Plumb, has been speaking at its annual general meeting today. He said: A majority of the Council and branches have recently expressed their support for the principle of statutory producer boards, at any rate for cereals and meat. The...
Mr Ralph Howell: I am grateful for the opportunity of speaking in the debate. I have only one point to make. Right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House have spoken about the need to alleviate the conditions of the pensioner. We are all agreed that our pensioners need better justice. Tremendous resentment is felt by pensioners about the tax system, which they regard as grossly unfair. I should...
Mr Ralph Howell: Although I agree in general with the aims and objects of the Bill, I have reservations about the way in which it is to be implemented. I want first to consider why housing in this country is in such an appalling state. All hon. Members will agree that the present situation is a disgrace to this Government, the previous Government and all Governments of recent years. We have failed miserably...
Mr Ralph Howell: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are engaged in making tax refunds arising from the exemption of unemployment, sickness, and social security benefits from taxation.
Mr Ralph Howell: Is my hon. Friend aware of the growing resentment amongst old-age pensioners and other low wage earners who, in some cases, are taxed on incomes as low as £8.50 a week, when they know that other people are receiving up to £30.35 in State benefits and tax rebates, tax-free? May I have an assurance that something will be done rapidly to correct that injustice?
Mr Ralph Howell: asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that when unemployment pay is disallowed because an employee has left employment of his own accord or because of misconduct, he can receive more in social security benefit than he would have received in unemployment benefit; and if he will take steps to remedy the situation.
Mr Ralph Howell: Is my right hon. Friend aware that in certain instances people who are on social security can receive as much as £2 more if they have lost unemployment as a result of misconduct?
Mr Ralph Howell: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the tax revenue to be derived from the taxation of sickness, unemployment and supplementary benefits at present exempt from tax; and what adjustments in the standard rate of income tax will be required to offset the extension of taxation to such benefits.
Mr Ralph Howell: Is my hon. Friend aware that the present P.A. Y. E. system is grossly unfair and that the way in which it operates causes great resentment among regular workers and old-age pensioners because all their pay ranks for taxation while others are exempt?
Mr Ralph Howell: I would like to add my congratulations to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture for the excellent work he has done during the past year. He has had possibly the most difficult task of any Minister in the Government, and he has rescued the agricultural industry from a dangerous position. By pursuing our policy of increased production and getting the most we can out of the land we...
Mr Ralph Howell: While I recognise the Bill to be a great reforming Measure, I think that it is a pity that the reform of P.A.Y.E. has been left out. We have been promised that at a later date—after several years—it will be reformed, but grave damage will be done by the fact that we are still perpetuating the grave injustices which occur under the present P.A.Y.E. system. We are confronted by rising...
Mr Ralph Howell: I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on an excellent Budget. It represents a turning point in our history. We are turning our backs on the Socialism and semi-Socialism which we have been operating for the last 25 years and have set sail on a free-enterprise course. I welcome this, as do my constituents. While I am pleased that my right hon. Friend has decided...
Mr Ralph Howell: I am grateful for this opportunity to make my maiden speech in this important debate. My constituency of North Norfolk has been represented in this House for the past six years by Mr. Bert Hazell, whose example as an excellent constituency hon. Member I shall do my best to follow. Mr. Hazell, who is President of the National Union of Agricultural Workers, has worked all his life to improve...
Mr Ralph Howell: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider a rise in the minimum import prices for eggs and egg products, in order to preserve the stability of the shell egg market in the United Kingdom; and whether he will consider an adjustment in the ratio between the minimum import prices for dried egg and frozen whole egg.
Mr Ralph Howell: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been received from levies on egg imports so far this year.
Mr Ralph Howell: In view of his Replies, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he will consider reviewing the whole of the egg levy system?
