To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what projections she has made of the number of additional households there will be in each region in the period 2003 to 2026; how many of these additional households she expects to be as a result of migration in...

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what projections she has made of the number of additional households there will be in each region in the period 2003 to 2026; how many of these additional households she expects to be as a result of migration in...

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the impact of net migration on (a) housing demand in England over the last five years and (b) future housing demand in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the impact of net migration on (a) housing demand in England over the last five years and (b) future housing demand in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department’s latest estimates are of (a) net migration and (b) household growth in each Government office region in England in each of the next 20 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department’s latest estimates are of (a) net migration and (b) household growth in each Government office region in England in each of the next 20 years.

This month, the European Council will be held on 14 and 15 December, and the formal agenda will, as usual, cover a wide range of topics. On Africa, we expect that the conclusions of the Council will inject some momentum into the EU Africa strategy by highlighting key priorities for...

This month, the European Council will be held on 14 and 15 December, and the formal agenda will, as usual, cover a wide range of topics. On Africa, we expect that the conclusions of the Council will inject some momentum into the EU Africa strategy by highlighting key priorities for...

I may regret it, but I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman.

I may regret it, but I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman.

I have battled with the Minister on the subject since 1990 or earlier, but it is quite amazing to hear him say so, as he and the Government do not have the faintest idea of what kind of Europe they want. The Prime Minister has said that we cannot implement...

I have battled with the Minister on the subject since 1990 or earlier, but it is quite amazing to hear him say so, as he and the Government do not have the faintest idea of what kind of Europe they want. The Prime Minister has said that we cannot implement...

The difference between our respective positions is that I have consistently supported the European Union. To change the EU, we must argue constructively and positively. I have never been entirely sure what the hon. Member for—I have forgotten his wretched constituency—[Interruption.]—Stone believes. He referred to the time that he opposed...

The difference between our respective positions is that I have consistently supported the European Union. To change the EU, we must argue constructively and positively. I have never been entirely sure what the hon. Member for—I have forgotten his wretched constituency—[Interruption.]—Stone believes. He referred to the time that he opposed...

The Minister criticises Her Majesty’s official Opposition for not having a policy, but we have a very clear policy on the European constitution. Will he rule out in the House the Government acceding in any circumstances to that new constitution?

The Minister criticises Her Majesty’s official Opposition for not having a policy, but we have a very clear policy on the European constitution. Will he rule out in the House the Government acceding in any circumstances to that new constitution?

The Government have a very clear policy on the European constitution and I have set out in a written ministerial statement, agreed by the Government, the basic principles that will guide renegotiation. Again, that demonstrates the difference between us. As I pointed out to the hon. Member for Altrincham and...

The Government have a very clear policy on the European constitution and I have set out in a written ministerial statement, agreed by the Government, the basic principles that will guide renegotiation. Again, that demonstrates the difference between us. As I pointed out to the hon. Member for Altrincham and...

Is it correct to summarise the Government’s position by saying that whatever comes out of Europe, they simply say yes?

Is it correct to summarise the Government’s position by saying that whatever comes out of Europe, they simply say yes?

On one’s birthday one can reflect on such things, and the hon. Member for Stone has consistently taken that view. My hon. Friend has consistently subjected me to friendly fire for many years, but I do not accept his description of our position on the EU. It is vital, in...

On one’s birthday one can reflect on such things, and the hon. Member for Stone has consistently taken that view. My hon. Friend has consistently subjected me to friendly fire for many years, but I do not accept his description of our position on the EU. It is vital, in...

Indeed. If Turkey joined the EU, its borders with those friendly states would be our borders, too. It is impossible for Turkey to police those borders robustly, with controls of the standard we require from Poland and will require from Romania and Bulgaria—our new neighbours. That situation is unfortunate, but...

Indeed. If Turkey joined the EU, its borders with those friendly states would be our borders, too. It is impossible for Turkey to police those borders robustly, with controls of the standard we require from Poland and will require from Romania and Bulgaria—our new neighbours. That situation is unfortunate, but...

Syria?

Syria?

I was speaking more about references to Britain needing a different relationship with the European Union. I made notes, and I think that that point was made by the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski). The hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker), in his comic-book description of the...

I was speaking more about references to Britain needing a different relationship with the European Union. I made notes, and I think that that point was made by the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski). The hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker), in his comic-book description of the...

The point that the hon. Gentleman misses about his approach is that in any international organisation such as the European Union it is simply not possible to pick and choose, although he pretends that it is. It is necessary to be engaged, to debate and discuss, and to argue one’s...

The point that the hon. Gentleman misses about his approach is that in any international organisation such as the European Union it is simply not possible to pick and choose, although he pretends that it is. It is necessary to be engaged, to debate and discuss, and to argue one’s...

For the sake of clarity, I should point out that the Minister misunderstood me. If anything comes forward from the European Union that this country does not like, we should say, ““No, we’re not implementing it because it is not in our national interest.”” Is that clear enough for him?

For the sake of clarity, I should point out that the Minister misunderstood me. If anything comes forward from the European Union that this country does not like, we should say, ““No, we’re not implementing it because it is not in our national interest.”” Is that clear enough for him?

May I begin by expressing my appreciation to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) for his good wishes? I clearly could not think of a better, more satisfying way of spending the first day of my 54th year. The debate was obviously specially arranged for me by the Whips...

May I begin by expressing my appreciation to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) for his good wishes? I clearly could not think of a better, more satisfying way of spending the first day of my 54th year. The debate was obviously specially arranged for me by the Whips...

I am sorry to interrupt the Minister on his birthday, and I hope that he enjoys the rest of the evening more than he enjoyed this afternoon. We have been very clear: we have no difficulty engaging with our EU partners to tackle climate change, and I referred to that...

I am sorry to interrupt the Minister on his birthday, and I hope that he enjoys the rest of the evening more than he enjoyed this afternoon. We have been very clear: we have no difficulty engaging with our EU partners to tackle climate change, and I referred to that...

Actually, I know where Malta is as I sometimes look at maps. What the hon. Gentleman says is demonstrably so. Malta is part of the EU and the EU should recognise it as a problem to be shared. For that reason, I invite the Minister to confirm that the Dublin...

Actually, I know where Malta is as I sometimes look at maps. What the hon. Gentleman says is demonstrably so. Malta is part of the EU and the EU should recognise it as a problem to be shared. For that reason, I invite the Minister to confirm that the Dublin...

It has been an excellent debate, in which we have heard 13 speeches. The hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) was the unlucky 13th, but he delivered an excellent, witty, off-the-cuff speech. The House was privileged to hear it; it was well worth waiting for. I should apologise for the...

It has been an excellent debate, in which we have heard 13 speeches. The hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) was the unlucky 13th, but he delivered an excellent, witty, off-the-cuff speech. The House was privileged to hear it; it was well worth waiting for. I should apologise for the...