"The White House in Harrow, thanks to NHS capital money, will shortly become even better than its American namesake. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) for the way in which he introduced the debate. I agree very much that levels of capital investment …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"9. What steps she plans to take to ensure that people are adequately supported to maintain an active lifestyle at each stage of life. ..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"The clearly remarkable Fay Bond took up athletics at the age of 90 and won three gold medals last year at the US senior Olympics at the age of 101—the oldest of over 12,400 older athletes who took part. Given the many benefits of an active lifestyle in later life, …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"Harrow council was on the verge of bankruptcy until Ministers announced substantial extra funding in the local government settlement. Council officers told councillors that they were facing a budget deficit of more than £32 million, and they were planning to use virtually all the council’s reserves to fill the gap …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"I am happy to give the right hon. Gentleman a way into the debate, but he might prefer to sit down and make a longer contribution later...." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"I am happy to join the right hon. Gentleman in again condemning the role that the Liberal Democrats played, but if he was the sane voice in the Government at the time, I hope he will forgive me for being—slightly—even more concerned about what was going on.
"Conservative councillors in Harrow promised not to raise council tax but duly did so. I hope the hon. Gentleman will join me in urging the shadow Secretary of State to ask the leader of the council to explain to the people of Harrow why he reneged on his promise.
"I would certainly welcome the news that the Conservative councillors in Harrow responsible for housing were looking at councils that are committed to building more council homes, like those in my hon. Friend’s constituency.
The failure to complete the redevelopment means that residents have had to put up with mice, …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I have given way to him once, and I leave him to hope to catch your eye later, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The public will get their say on the situation in Harrow in May, but the failures at Harrow council raise other questions. …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech
"The shadow Minister will remember that when the Conservative party took control of Harrow council four years ago, it did so on a promise of freezing council tax, which he presumably campaigned on. Instead, council tax has risen by 20% over the past four years. Will the shadow Minister take …..." Gareth Thomas - View Speech