DOCSLIB.ORG

Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) Monday Volume 550 17 September 2012 No. 45 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday 17 September 2012 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 619 17 SEPTEMBER 2012 620 development should not be approved in the green belt, House of Commons and boundaries should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. Monday 17 September 2012 Simon Danczuk: As we all know, Rochdale is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in the United The House met at half-past Two o’clock Kingdom—[Interruption.] Can the Secretary of State assure me and residents of Rochdale that we will not PRAYERS have to swap some of our green-belt land for house building? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Pickles: For a moment I thought the hon. Gentleman was going to put that to the vote; I would have been on BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS his side. The Planning Inspectorate looked at Rochdale QUEEN’S SPEECH (ANSWER TO ADDRESS) metropolitan borough council’s core strategy, and as the hon. Gentleman will know, consultation ends next The VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD reported to the House, That Her Majesty, having been attended Monday. It was extended to allow consideration of the with its Address of 17th May, was pleased to receive the proposed release of 55 hectares of green-belt land on same very graciously and give the following Answer: the South Heywood development, but that has now been excluded from the core strategy. The inspector I have received with great satisfaction the dutiful and looked at the proposed removal of that area from the loyal expression of your thanks for the speech with which green belt, tested the council and found that plans for I opened the present Session of Parliament. making such an exception were not sufficiently robust. If hon. Members have any doubts about the importance ELECTORAL COMMISSION (ANSWER TO ADDRESS) of the green belt, they should see the hon. Gentleman, I have received your Humble Address praying that who can testify to the policy’s stringent nature. I should reappoint the Right Honourable Sir George Newlands Reid to be an Electoral Commissioner with effect from Dr Whitehead: As the Secretary of State will be 1st October 2012, for the period ending 30th September 2014. aware, on 2 September the Chancellor said that local I will comply with your request. authorities should swap parts of green-belt land for I have received your Humble Address praying that I other land to encourage housing development. In light should reappoint John McCormick to be an Electoral of what the Secretary of State has said today, will he Commissioner with effect from 1st January 2013, for the clear up the confusion about what is and is not green-belt period ending on 31st December 2016. I will comply with land by firmly repudiating what the Chancellor said on your request. 2 September? Mr Pickles: What I have said is absolutely compatible with what the Chancellor said; there is no difference Oral Answers to Questions between my views and those of my right hon. Friend. We have said from the Dispatch Box that a proportion of the green belt is former brownfield land—a disused COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT quarry, for example, or a scrap yard—and the national planning policy framework envisaged careful consideration of those boundaries. Does it not make sense to get The Secretary of State was asked— those kinds of sites back under development, and protect and enhance the green belt? Green-belt Land Mr Raab: I understand that the Government want to 1. Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): What his policy legislate further to streamline planning as part of their is on the protection of green-belt land. [120883] economic growth strategy. Elmbridge in my constituency is 57% green-belt land. Will the Secretary of State 10. Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): confirm that the proposed legislation will not contain What his policy is on altering green-belt boundaries. any new proposals that might weaken protection of [120893] green-belt land, and, critically, that planning inspectors will have no right to trump local democratic decision 14. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): making? What steps he is taking to protect the green belt. [120897] Mr Pickles: I have good news for my hon. Friend. Based on calculations, it is not 57% green belt, but 60%. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): The green belt is an important protection against urban sprawl, providing Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): It’s just a green lung around towns and cities. The national gone up. planning policy framework delivers the coalition’s agreement to safeguard the green belt. Inappropriate Mr Pickles: It is as the right hon. Gentleman says. 621 Oral Answers17 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 622 Of course we are not looking to affect my hon. Friend’s town team partners. I hope right hon. and hon. Members constituency. The green belt is immensely important. It will support their local town team partners so we can is a green lung and prevents major conurbations from ensure that our high streets can compete in future. bumping into one another. Peter Aldous: The Lowestoft town team are getting to Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): Will my right hon. work on implementing the plans set out in their successful Friend take steps to diminish planning inspectors’ powers Portas pilot bid. The town centre was enhanced in the over those who are democratically elected? summer by Lowestoft college’s short-term lease of an empty shop. Does the Minister plan to encourage landlords Mr Pickles: My hon. Friend must have come across to carry out more lettings of that nature? some grumpy planning inspectors. By and large, they are there to introduce the national planning policy Mr Prisk: Absolutely; we need to encourage that framework, and to ensure that decisions are made kind of innovation, and I commend what has happened in accordance with it. Local democratically elected in respect of Lowestoft college. That is why we have a representatives have a duty to look to the well-being of £10 million high street innovation fund to help those their constituents not only now, but in future. There with the highest vacancy rates. We need to get those must always be a balance, but the green belt remains empty shops back into use, whether as pop-up shops or very safe. as in my hon. Friend’s example. It is very important to tackle that aspect of the problem. Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): Will the Secretary of State guarantee that he will not alter Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) (Lab): Does the definition or designation of green belt? the Minister accept that as long as local authorities charge excessively for car parking, customers will simply Mr Pickles: Of course. choose to shop out of town and our town centres will continue to die? What can he do to encourage them in Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): North these difficult financial years not to charge for short-term Leeds, too, has some of the most beautiful green belt, car parking? which is hugely important to the whole city. I welcome the Secretary of State’s clear statement today, but does Mr Prisk: The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight he acknowledge that developers continue to target attractive this issue. That is why we have removed the floor that greenfield sites while brownfield sites exist that are underpinned the minimum charging for car parking. desperate for development, and that that needs to be We encourage local authorities in his constituency and addressed? elsewhere to think carefully about the rate of charges so that our high streets can compete with out-of-town Mr Pickles: My hon. Friend will recall the national shopping centres and others. planning policy framework, which makes it clear that previously developed areas should be given development priority. Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab): Thriving street markets offering local produce and community and specialist High Streets stalls attract shoppers to town centres and high streets, and encourage independent retailers to start new businesses. Does the Minister agree that it is important that councils 2. Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con): What steps his remember the important contribution that markets make Department is taking to support local high streets. and include them in any future town centre initiatives? [120884] 6. Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): What steps his Mr Prisk: I agree entirely with the hon. Lady. I am a Department is taking to support local high streets. big fan of local markets—they are where we can get [120888] fresh produce and where our small start-ups can begin—so I endorse entirely what she says. In the summer, of The Minister for Housing (Mr Mark Prisk): In response course, we tried to revive our markets locally, and we to the Portas review, the Government are taking positive will continue that work. I hope that all hon. Members action to help our high streets. That includes strengthening will play a part in that. local civic leadership through town team partners and business improvement districts, revitalising local markets Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): Shirley town centre and backing small businesses. partnership in my constituency was unsuccessful in bidding for the first tranche of funding to be a town Gareth Johnson: My local high street in Dartford has team partner. I am ever hopeful, however, that it will successfully applied to become a Portas town, which win an award under the second tranche.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download PDF on Watching the Watchmen
    REPORT Watching the Watchmen The Growing Case for Recall Elections and Increased Accountability for MPs Sam Goodman About the Author Sam Goodman is the author of the Imperial Premiership: The Role of the Modern Prime Minister in Foreign Policy Making, 1964-2015 (Manchester University Press: 2015). He is currently working as a political adviser to Peter Dowd MP the current Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and has previously worked for a variety of Labour Members of Parliament including: Julie Cooper MP, Sir Mark Hendrick MP, Michael Dugher MP, and Rt. Hon Jack Straw MP. Watching the Watchmen: The Growing Case for Recall Elections and Increased Accountability for MPs Members of the House of Commons have long flirted parliamentary conventions and much procedure with the idea of British exceptionalism—citing the is arcane, which makes it difficult even for the UK’s role as the ‘mother of all parliaments’, its most ardent politically engaged citizen to follow unwritten constitution, its unitary voting system, proceedings and debates in the House of Commons. and the principle of the sovereignty of Parliament This separation between the governors and over the people—as a bulwark against the instability governed is exacerbated further by the limited customarily found in other western democracies. avenues available to the public to hold those elected In modern times, this argument held water as to account, which is exemplified by recent political it delivered stable parliamentary majorities, scandals, including allegations of bullying and peaceful transfers of power between governments, sexual harassment in the House of Commons. At the and kept in check the ideological fringes of both time of writing this report, no MP has been forced major political parties.
    [Show full text]
  • The Labour Party Is More Than the Shadow Cabinet, and Corbyn Must Learn to Engage with It
    The Labour Party is more than the shadow cabinet, and Corbyn must learn to engage with it blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/the-labour-party-is-more-than-the-shadow-cabinet/ 1/11/2016 The three-day reshuffle of the shadow cabinet might have helped Jeremy Corbyn stamp his mark on the party but he needs to do more to ensure his leadership lasts, writes Eunice Goes. She explains the Labour leader must engage with all groups that have historically made up the party, while his rhetoric should focus more on policies that resonate with the public. Doing so will require a stronger vision of what he means by ‘new politics’ and, crucially, a better communications strategy. By Westminster standards Labour’s shadow cabinet reshuffle was ‘shambolic’ and had the key ingredients of a ‘pantomime’. At least, it was in those terms that it was described by a large number of Labour politicians and Westminster watchers. It certainly wasn’t slick, or edifying. Taking the best of a week to complete a modest shadow cabinet reshuffle was revealing of the limited authority the leader Jeremy Corbyn has over the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Against the wishes of the Labour leader, the Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn and the Shadow Chief Whip Rosie Winterton kept their posts. However, Corbyn was able to assert his authority in other ways. He moved the pro-Trident Maria Eagle from Defence and appointed the anti-Trident Emily Thornberry to the post. He also imposed some ground rules on Hillary Benn and got rid of Michael Dugher and Pat McFadden on the grounds of disloyalty.
    [Show full text]
  • TRANSFORMING the BRITISH ARMY an Update
    TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY An Update © Crown copyright July 2013 Images Army Picture Desk, Army Headquarters Designed by Design Studio ADR002930 | TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY 2013 TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY 2013 | 1 Contents Foreword 1 Army 2020 Background 2 The Army 2020 Design 3 Formation Basing and Names 4 The Reaction Force 6 The Adaptable Force 8 Force Troops Command 10 Transition to new Structures 14 Training 15 Personnel 18 Defence Engagement 21 Firm Base 22 Support to Homeland Resilience 23 Equipment 24 Reserves 26 Army Communication Strategic Themes 28 | TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY 2013 TRANSFORMING THE BRITISH ARMY 2013 | 1 Foreword General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE ADC Gen Chief of the General Staff We have made significant progress in refining the detail of Army 2020 since it was announced in July 2012. It is worth taking stock of what has been achieved so far, and ensuring that our direction of travel continues to be understood by the Army. This comprehensive update achieves this purpose well and should be read widely. I wish to highlight four particular points: • Our success in establishing Defence Engagement as a core Defence output. Not only will this enable us to make a crucial contribution to conflict prevention, but it will enhance our contingent capability by developing our understanding. It will also give the Adaptable Force a challenging focus in addition to enduring operations and homeland resilience. • We must be clear that our capacity to influence overseas is founded upon our credibility as a war-fighting Army, capable of projecting force anywhere in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Z675928x Margaret Hodge Mp 06/10/2011 Z9080283 Lorely
    Z675928X MARGARET HODGE MP 06/10/2011 Z9080283 LORELY BURT MP 08/10/2011 Z5702798 PAUL FARRELLY MP 09/10/2011 Z5651644 NORMAN LAMB 09/10/2011 Z236177X ROBERT HALFON MP 11/10/2011 Z2326282 MARCUS JONES MP 11/10/2011 Z2409343 CHARLOTTE LESLIE 12/10/2011 Z2415104 CATHERINE MCKINNELL 14/10/2011 Z2416602 STEPHEN MOSLEY 18/10/2011 Z5957328 JOAN RUDDOCK MP 18/10/2011 Z2375838 ROBIN WALKER MP 19/10/2011 Z1907445 ANNE MCINTOSH MP 20/10/2011 Z2408027 IAN LAVERY MP 21/10/2011 Z1951398 ROGER WILLIAMS 21/10/2011 Z7209413 ALISTAIR CARMICHAEL 24/10/2011 Z2423448 NIGEL MILLS MP 24/10/2011 Z2423360 BEN GUMMER MP 25/10/2011 Z2423633 MIKE WEATHERLEY MP 25/10/2011 Z5092044 GERAINT DAVIES MP 26/10/2011 Z2425526 KARL TURNER MP 27/10/2011 Z242877X DAVID MORRIS MP 28/10/2011 Z2414680 JAMES MORRIS MP 28/10/2011 Z2428399 PHILLIP LEE MP 31/10/2011 Z2429528 IAN MEARNS MP 31/10/2011 Z2329673 DR EILIDH WHITEFORD MP 31/10/2011 Z9252691 MADELEINE MOON MP 01/11/2011 Z2431014 GAVIN WILLIAMSON MP 01/11/2011 Z2414601 DAVID MOWAT MP 02/11/2011 Z2384782 CHRISTOPHER LESLIE MP 04/11/2011 Z7322798 ANDREW SLAUGHTER 05/11/2011 Z9265248 IAN AUSTIN MP 08/11/2011 Z2424608 AMBER RUDD MP 09/11/2011 Z241465X SIMON KIRBY MP 10/11/2011 Z2422243 PAUL MAYNARD MP 10/11/2011 Z2261940 TESSA MUNT MP 10/11/2011 Z5928278 VERNON RODNEY COAKER MP 11/11/2011 Z5402015 STEPHEN TIMMS MP 11/11/2011 Z1889879 BRIAN BINLEY MP 12/11/2011 Z5564713 ANDY BURNHAM MP 12/11/2011 Z4665783 EDWARD GARNIER QC MP 12/11/2011 Z907501X DANIEL KAWCZYNSKI MP 12/11/2011 Z728149X JOHN ROBERTSON MP 12/11/2011 Z5611939 CHRIS
    [Show full text]
  • Research Note: Former Special Advisers in Cabinet, 1979-2013
    Research Note: Former Special Advisers in Cabinet, 1979-2013 Executive Summary Sixteen special advisers have gone on to become Cabinet Ministers. This means that of the 492 special advisers listed in the Constitution Unit database in the period 1979-2010, only 3% entered Cabinet. Seven Conservative party Cabinet members were formerly special advisers. o Four Conservative special advisers went on to become Cabinet Ministers in the 1979-1997 period of Conservative governments. o Three former Conservative special advisers currently sit in the Coalition Cabinet: David Cameron, George Osborne and Jonathan Hill. Eight Labour Cabinet members between 1997-2010 were former special advisers. o Five of the eight former special advisers brought into the Labour Cabinet between 1997-2010 had been special advisers to Tony Blair or Gordon Brown. o Jack Straw entered Cabinet in 1997 having been a special adviser before 1979. One Liberal Democrat Cabinet member, Vince Cable, was previously a special adviser to a Labour minister. The Coalition Cabinet of January 2013 currently has four members who were once special advisers. o Also attending Cabinet meetings is another former special adviser: Oliver Letwin as Minister of State for Policy. There are traditionally 21 or 22 Ministers who sit in Cabinet. Unsurprisingly, the number and proportion of Cabinet Ministers who were previously special advisers generally increases the longer governments go on. The number of Cabinet Ministers who were formerly special advisers was greatest at the end of the Labour administration (1997-2010) when seven of the Cabinet Ministers were former special advisers. The proportion of Cabinet made up of former special advisers was greatest in Gordon Brown’s Cabinet when almost one-third (30.5%) of the Cabinet were former special advisers.
    [Show full text]
  • ASPATRIA HORNETS RUGBY LEAGUE FC Season 2013
    ASPATRIA HORNETS RUGBY LEAGUE FC Season 2013 ASPATRIA HORNETS RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB Home Ground: Saint Mungo’s Park Colours: Black & Amber/Scarlet & White Club House: The Grapes Hotel, Market Place, Aspatria. Official Teamwear Supplier Canterbury Newcastle www.canterburynewcastle.co.uk Committee Details 2013 Chairman - Mr. Alan Reynolds Secretary - Mr. Peter Thorndike Treasurer - Mrs. Caroline Hamilton Club Welfare Officer- Mr. Brian Crossman Head Coach- Mr. Michael Hazlewood First Aider- Mr. Mark Ashworth General Committee Messrs /Mmes. David Abram, Mike Bain, Mally Barclay, Mark Brown, Craig Hamilton, Philip Hetherington, Jenna Robinson, Stuart Robinson, Mike Storey, Angela Taylor. *Cover photograph by kind permission of Mr. B. Clegg Chairman’s Message 2013 A warm welcome to visitors, old and new, as we embark on the 2013 Rugby League season; it seems like last season passed by in the blink of an eye. This season is, again, one of innovation for the Cumberland Rugby League with the advent of the Cumbria Men’s League and the Iggesund Cumberland League becoming the single Cumberland based competition. It has to be said that this is a positive step for the game in Cumbria as a whole. The Cumbria League will provide an intensely contested competition for the higher level clubs and the rejuvenated Cumberland League will mean that clubs get a better quality league with closer games and fewer matches conceded or having ‘blow-out’ scores. This, coupled with the successful transition to summer rugby, augurs well for the long term health of the game in our part of the world. Last season was another part in our learning curve here at Aspatria; a slow start meant that we were chasing the coat tails of our nearest rivals but a change at the helm, with Mike Hazlewood taking over, meant that we made some big strides forward.
    [Show full text]
  • Download (9MB)
    A University of Sussex PhD thesis Available online via Sussex Research Online: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/ This thesis is protected by copyright which belongs to the author. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Please visit Sussex Research Online for more information and further details 2018 Behavioural Models for Identifying Authenticity in the Twitter Feeds of UK Members of Parliament A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF UK MPS’ TWEETS BETWEEN 2011 AND 2012; A LONGITUDINAL STUDY MARK MARGARETTEN Mark Stuart Margaretten Submitted for the degree of Doctor of PhilosoPhy at the University of Sussex June 2018 1 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ 1 DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 5 FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................... 6 TABLES ............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jones Thanks Fans As England Celebrate Grand Slam
    TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU April 2016 Issue 189 JONES THANKS FANS AS ENGLAND CELEBRATE Series Sevens Rugby 10. HSBC World Round Union Football Rugby GRAND SLAM As England celebrated the 21-31 victory in the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam clincher in Paris, Head Coach Eddie Jones praised URBAN FOOD FEST the fans for their support throughout the tournament. From the 15,000 who were at Twickenham’s open training FOR TWICKENHAM session in January to the more than 20,000 who travelled to France for the finale and the thousands watching on TV, Jones CHARLOTTE HARWOOD said: “I’ve just got to thank the fans. They have been absolutely This year’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series finale at fantastic. The warmth of support for the team is just outstanding Twickenham is partnering with Urban Food Fest for a Feast and has been instrumental to our success.” of Rugby. England’s 13th Grand Slam, the first since 2003, was Urban Food Fest is famous for its street food and night markets accompanied by full-voiced support. in Shoreditch, London and Manchester where street food trucks “It was fantastic,” said Jones. “You could hear it at various and stalls serve exquisite global dishes, offering treats from times during the game, the support of the English. It was like France to Fiji. Slow roasted and smoked pulled pork burgers, that in Rome. In the three away games the English support was sweet and savoury crepês and Venezuelan maize arepas are just absolutely fantastic. The French were really up for it and to have some of the delicacies that will be on offer over the HSBC London that support in the French back yard was very, very valuable so Sevens weekend.
    [Show full text]
  • Past Forward 37
    Issue No. 37 July – November 2004 Produced1 by Wigan Heritage Service FREE From the Editor Retirement at the History Shop This edition of Past Forward reflects BARBARA MILLER, Heritage Assistant, manner. If she could not answer your the many exciting things which are retired on 6 June. It was a memorable query herself, she always knew going on in the Heritage Service at day for her. Not only was it the someone who could. the moment. There is an excellent beginning of a new and exciting stage Barbara joined the then Wigan exhibition programme for the rest of in her life, but also her 60th birthday (I Museum Service at Wigan Pier in 1985 the year, for example, as you will see am sure she will not mind that and, I am glad to say, remained with us – and our new exhibition leaflet will revelation!) and of course, she was a through our transformation into Wigan be out very soon. You can also read ‘D’ Day baby! Heritage Service and the development about the increasing range of Many of you will have met her on of the History Shop. In the past, she not the reception desk at the History Shop, only undertook a variety of clerical ventures in which our Friends have and been impressed by her duties for us, but also spent many been engaged. knowledgeable, friendly and efficient hours working on the museum I would draw your attention to collections, helping to make them more the questionnaire which appears in accessible. this issue – designed as a pull-out On her last day at work, we all had insert, as I know many of you a good laugh reminiscing about old treasure your copies of Past Forward, times.
    [Show full text]
  • Shadow Cabinet Meetings with Proprietors, Editors and Senior Media Executives
    Shadow Cabinet Meetings 1 June 2015 – 31 May 2016 Shadow cabinet meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives. Andy Burnham MP Shadow Secretary of State’s meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives Date Name Location Purpose Nature of relationship* 26/06/2015 Alison Phillips, Editor, Roast, The General Professional Sunday People Floral Hall, discussion London, SE1 Peter Willis, Editor, 1TL Daily Mirror 15/07/2015 Lloyd Embley, Editor in J Sheekey General Professional Chief, Trinity Mirror Restaurant, discussion 28-32 Saint Peter Willis, Editor, Martin's Daily Mirror Court, London WC2N 4AL 16/07/2015 Kath Viner, Editor in King’s Place Guardian daily Professional Chief, Guardian conference 90 York Way meeting London N1 2AP 22/07/2015 Evgeny Lebedev, Private General Professional proprieter, address discussion Independent/Evening Standard 04/08/2015 Lloyd Embley, Editor in Grosvenor General Professional Chief, Trinity Mirror Hotel, 101 discussion Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0SJ 16/05/2016 Eamonn O’Neal, Manchester General Professional Managing Editor, Evening Manchester Evening News, discussion News Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EF Other interaction between Shadow Secretary of State and proprietors, editors and senior media executives Date Name Location Purpose Nature of relationship* No such meetings Angela Eagle MP Shadow Secretary of State’s meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives Date Name Location Purpose Nature of relationship* No
    [Show full text]
  • Parknews 5 February 2021 Online Here
    ISSUE 07 Season 2020-21 5 Febuary 2021 NO CUP BUT PARK STILL LOOKING TO PLAY Welcome to Parknews, Last Friday week the NCA and RFU bowed before the inevitable, announcing that there will be no official competitive rugby for the semi- professional game this season, after agreement London Broncos training at the Rock. The Rugby to cancel the proposed League side will be using the ground as their training Cup competition that base on a 3-year contract - see story [Photo from was scheduled to begin London Broncos RL] once lockdown restrictions were eased. It is very disappointing, but following a series of recent meetings involving all 48 clubs in the NCA, there was unanimous agreement that there would simply be insufficient time to stage an authentic competition, Future events given the continued uncertainty over if, and when, training and playing will be allowed. Future events are very much subject NCA chairman John Inverdale said: ‘With every re-tiering and subsequent tightening of restrictions, it was getting harder to envisage to Government COVID restrictions. the NCA cup getting off the ground. It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve We shall open up to stage Rugby made the call because there was a huge amount of enthusiasm for the idea, but ultimately we’ve had to concede defeat.” Union and other events as soon as This leaves clubs with effectively two alternatives: either to play we are allowed to do so. However friendlies as and when restrictions are lifted, possibly 3 or 4 team the safety of everyone is the primary tournaments among local hubs to take place in April and May, or to effectively mothball everything to the start of next season and try to concern, so we must stay strictly minimize costs.
    [Show full text]
  • RL GUIDE 2006 FRIDAY PM 17/1/12 14:40 Page 1
    rfl official guide 2012 working.e$S:RL GUIDE 2006 FRIDAY PM 17/1/12 14:40 Page 1 RFL Official Guide 201 2 rfl official guide 2012 working.e$S:RL GUIDE 2006 FRIDAY PM 17/1/12 14:40 Page 2 The text of this publication is printed on 100gsm Cyclus 100% recycled paper rfl official guide 2012 working.e$S:RL GUIDE 2006 FRIDAY PM 17/1/12 14:40 Page 1 CONTENTS Contents RFL B COMPETITIONS Index ........................................................... 02 B1 General Competition Rules .................. 154 RFL Directors & Presidents ........................... 10 B2 Match Day Rules ................................ 163 RFL Offices .................................................. 10 B3 League Competition Rules .................. 166 RFL Executive Management Team ................. 11 B4 Challenge Cup Competition Rules ........ 173 RFL Council Members .................................. 12 B5 Championship Cup Competition Rules .. 182 Directors of Super League (Europe) Ltd, B6 International/Representative Community Board & RFL Charities ................ 13 Matches ............................................. 183 Past Life Vice Presidents .............................. 15 B7 Reserve & Academy Rules .................. 186 Past Chairmen of the Council ........................ 15 Past Presidents of the RFL ............................ 16 C PERSONNEL Life Members, Roll of Honour, The Mike Gregory C1 Players .............................................. 194 Spirit of Rugby League Award, Operational Rules C2 Club Officials .....................................
    [Show full text]