Hon. Anthony Berry: Would the hon. Gentleman have a further look at this matter? In an earlier answer the Minister said that he knew the M4 very well. Would he not agree that, because of overhead lighting, that is one of the safest roads? Therefore, will he not look into the whole question since it would cost only £8 or £9 million to light a thousand miles of motorway? Is it not worth spending such a sum at...
Hon. Anthony Berry: The hon. Gentleman referred to the 1963 London Government Act. Does he recall that there has been another London Government Act since his party came to power, which put off local elections by a year? If he feels so strongly about this issue, could not a Clause have been inserted in that Bill to meet the point that he is making about the parks?
Hon. Anthony Berry: I am always pleased to follow the hon. Gentleman the Member for Lewisham, North (Mr. R. Moyle) even though he called me purblind. I have not been called that before. It is an interesting word. He recalled the discussions we had at the time of the London Government Act during the debates on which I made a num- ber of interventions, as he did. I forecast at that time that forcing through a...
Hon. Anthony Berry: If the hon. Gentleman was so convinced that it was right to have done that, I remind him that the London borough elections will be coming up this year and he will have a chance to show my borough and others that Labour Government works, ha! ha! It is a rare treat in these days to find myself supporting a Bill. Since I have been in this House there have not been many occasions when I could do...
Hon. Anthony Berry: Apart from mentioning the long list of Amendments that have been put down, his speech contained little about the Bill. But the hon. Member for Lewisham has decided to open the G.L.C. campaign here in the House of Commons. If he wishes, so be it. No doubt he will see that his local paper next week will print his speech in full, and his constituents, or his few supporters among them, may or...
Hon. Anthony Berry: I am not sure that a Bill of this kind is the right vehicle for such provisions.
Hon. Anthony Berry: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that intervention. I, too, hope that the hon. Gentleman and some of his hon. Friends will be here Friday week and will vote for the Bill to which my hon. Friend referred by about 3 o'clock, because I have the Bill following that one. As my hon. Friend pointed out, this is not the sort of Bill for that type of legislation. Compensation is a central ...
Hon. Anthony Berry: Mr. Berry rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
Hon. Anthony Berry: Does the Leader of the House recall that last week I asked him for a statement, if possible, about the impending strike on 1st January in London Transport? While appreciating that talks are still going on, could he ask his right hon. Friend to make a statement tomorrow, if not on the causes of the strike, then as to what emergency arrangements will be made for Londoners and commuters?
Hon. Anthony Berry: It is a privilege to take part in this debate, particularly as I must be one of the few hon. Members who does not have a close constituency connection with the ports or docks. I am delighted to speak following the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes), a fellow Welshman. I know the docks in his area well, and I wish that I could agree with him about the likely outcome of the Bill. In...
Hon. Anthony Berry: asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the number of housing completions for 1969 and 1970 now planned necessitates revision of the estimated overall housing surplus by 1973.
Hon. Anthony Berry: Is the Minister satisfied that giving the impression of an overall surplus in 1973 was fair in view of his recent words about acute shortage in some areas? Does he include the nearly 2 million condemned houses in that figure? Will he look at the matter again?
Hon. Anthony Berry: asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on his policy regarding the report of the working party set up to formulate a manual of principles for local authorities for carrying out new construction by direct labour.
Hon. Anthony Berry: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I welcome the withdrawal of Circular 50/65 which was a grave mistake and which cushioned the direct labour departments of local authorities in such a way that it inevitably led to increased costs, delay and total inefficiency?
Hon. Anthony Berry: Is the Leader of the House aware of the grave danger of a major disruption in travelling arrangements in London on 1st January? Londoners have had a great deal of trouble during the past few months. While I appreciate that talks are being held, if it appears likely that a strike will occur, will he give an assurance that the Minister will make a statement?
Hon. Anthony Berry: asked the Minister of Transport (1) how many prosecutions received from local interests in the Milford Haven Area regarding the Government's impending legislation on the reorganisation of the ports; and what replies he has sent.
Hon. Anthony Berry: I am grateful to the Minister for his statement that he will reconsider this. Does he agree that this is one of the great harbours of the world because of its deep water? As it is carrying out this task of importing oil which is vital to our economy, it should be left undisturbed by threats of nationalisation, even when disguised as reorganisation.
Hon. Anthony Berry: The hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. R. W. Brown) made an extraordinary attack on Mr. Desmond Plummer, who is responsible for the great work which is to start on 1st January, 1970, and who has led London so magnificently during the last two and a half years. Mr. Plummer will be soundly vindicated in the elections on 5th April next year. I thought that the hon. Gentleman was going...
Hon. Anthony Berry: As the hon. Gentleman is so interested in the figures, I am sure that he has knowledge of them. They have gone up and down over a long period before now. I will remind him of them. In 1965, the figure was minus £1 million; in 1966, it was minus £5·9 million; in 1967, it was minus £10·9 million; in 1968, it was minus only £10 million. I suppose that to the hon. Gentleman the slight...
Hon. Anthony Berry: If the right hon. Member for Belper (Mr. George Brown) had had the privilege of listening to my hon. Friend the Member for Tavistock (Mr. Michael Heseltine) he would have heard in great detail about these figures. My point is that there was a balance in the two years 1963 and 1964 and that since then there has been an ever-growing deficit, except in 1968, when it was a little less than in...
