Working in Parliament

Speeches & Questions

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Over the last year, I've spoken in the Chamber once a week, on average - and many more times in committees.

Many of my speeches are connected with economics and tax issues, because I am the Liberal Democrats' Spokesman on Economic Affairs. Fortunately, I am not restricted to my economics brief, so I also raise constituency issues, such as my opposition to cuts to the Metropolitan Police budget and the discrimination against Kingston in the grant settlement. Below are a few extracts from my speeches:

"Leafy" Kingston: Need for more cash for the Royal Borough

Mr.Davey: Last year, the Deputy Prime Minister referred to Kingston as a "leafy borough" and went on to announce one of the worst settlements for our borough for many years, resulting in cuts across the board. If this is indeed one of the most generous settlements in the past seven years, does he realise that the others have been really mean? Does he realise that there are pockets of genuine need and deprivation in boroughs such as Kingston and other boroughs in London? Will he confirm that as his SSA changes are phased in over the next few years, London boroughs such as Kingston will lose out?

Mr. Prescott: I still think that the settlement is generous. My reference to leafy Kingston recalls the time when I fought my first election as a candidate in Hull, which was Kingston-upon-Hull, against the representative of Kingston-upon-Thames, who later became the Chancellor and then Lord Lamont. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that compared to Hull, Kingston-upon-Thames looks rather leafy. Hansard 2.12.98

Pensioners: Tax rise hits poorest

"Pensioners in my constituency feel completely betrayed by the Labour party. They hear that there is a minimum pension guarantee, but when they read the small print they realise that they are not eligible and that there is no guarantee at all... Instead, some pensioners in my constituency are having the dividend tax credits, that they used to get every year from the Inland Revenue, taken from them." Hansard 20.4.99, Col.792

Millenium Bug: Kingston Hospital

I welcome the Minister's statement that his working group's remit will be widened to cover the whole public sector. Will he confirm that much of the statement-this certainly applies to the figures that it contains-refers simply to central Government Departments rather than to the wider public sector and the public services on which the ordinary citizen depends? We are delighted that ministerial laptops will be working when the new millennium comes, but will the computer systems in Kingston Hospital, and indeed in hospitals throughout the country, still be operational? Hansard 8.6.98: Col.721

Economy: Sterling & Competitiveness of UK Exporters

Does the Minister agree that many pro-euro businesses have concerns about the rate at which the pound will join the euro? Will she acknowledge that it is important that the level of the pound be reduced, because it is not competitive?

Will she promote a public debate in the country and among our European partners on the sustainable long-term rate for the pound so that we can join the euro at that rate? Hansard 19.1.99

Post Office Reform

May I have the Secretary of State's assurance that the model of commercial freedom he has announced today will be sufficiently flexible to allow local managers to pay the postmen & women working in places such as my constituency, which is a high-cost area, sufficient wages to recruit & retain them in order to reduce staff turnover & improve mail delivery performance? Hansard 7.12.98,Col 37

Kingston A3 By-pass: Safety Barriers

"Will he review the criteria now used to prioritise safety improvement schemes ..... will he now take another look at the case for safety barriers on the Kingston A3 bypass?" Hansard 31.7.98, Col. 673

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