MP also welcomes law and order, immigration and Equitable Life announcements
During yesterday’s debate on the Queen’s Speech, John Baron MP welcomed a number of the new coalition Government’s pledges, but also sought clarification on a number of other manifesto commitments. For example, in a Green Paper prior to the election, the Conservatives had promised to give councils tougher powers to deal with illegal development whilst also promising to address the shortage of authorised sites, yet there was no mention of these policies in the coalition agreement.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman MP, replied that legislation will be introduced to close the retrospective planning permission loophole, extend the power of stop notices and give incentives to local authorities to provide more suitable sites.
Speaking afterwards, John said:
“I welcome the Government’s confirmation that it will retain Conservative commitments to a tougher approach to travellers who develop land illegally, combined with encouraging other councils to provide more authorised sites. The Labour Government did nothing to help with the situation at Dale Farm, and in fact made matters worse.
“I was pleased to see the recent Government announcements on immigration and law and order, such as the introduction of an annual limit on non-EU immigrants and the establishment of a Border Police Force, together with the reduction in police bureaucracy in order to get more officers out onto the streets. The commitment to give Equitable Life policyholders the justice they have long deserved is also to be welcomed.”
Ends
Date: 28th May 2010
Word Count: 242
Notes to Editors:
John’s speech can be found in full here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100527/debtext/100527-0013.htm
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