Letters to the Editor
The LCC David nuclei, Wolfenden Debate W. Lyon Blease, R. B. Browning Jazz Kenneth Al/sop Spanning the Great Divide Prof. Antony Flew
The Church of England and Divorce
Rev. W. J. S. Weir
Industrial Disputes Tribunal R. E. Dewberry Platform Nine C. F. D. Bottoms Blushful Epicene Colin Munson Small
THE LCC
Stit,—I usually enjoy Taper's weekly infusion- of mandragora and malediction, so I cannot complain if I was a little surprised to find myself sandwiched between a Hathaway shirt advertisement and my
Friendly opponent Mr. Sebag-Monteliore in your contributor's 'County Hull Commentary' of last week. But I hasten to correct Taper's usually im- peccable memory and assure him that I am not 'an expatriate Red Army colonel living in America.' I also doubt whether my more eminent near- namesake Colonel Tokacv is a London County Councillor! .
As to Taper's assertion that 'questions from Labour members have to be submitted for party approval before being put,' I can only conclude that some members must have talked in their tea cups. Why should they not ask for party approval if they are Pledged to support majority decisions? It so happens, however, that on the particular occasion on which Taper graced us with his presence I asked a question which I had handed in forty-eight hours earlier, Without asking anyone's permission. If the Whips hUti refused it, I would have carried it to the party group meeting and fought the issue there.'
Also Taper's assertion about the 'tyranny' at Witicrloo makes odd 'reading when one considers the
trepitment meted out by the Conservative Party macitine to the Suez rebels on a more elevating occasion. And sb far, no Labour LCC member has been consigned to the stygian gloom of Taper's imagination I
Taper also makes great play of the fact that 'there is never any cross-voting at all (by the Labour mem- bers, that is).' I know of no recent occasion when a Tory member cross-voted at a session of the Council. But els not unknown for Tory and Labour members alike to cross-vote on issues which come up on committee. The sparks here not only fly up- wards but also crosswise.
Nor am I sure whether the Comptroller of the Council would agree with Taper's desire to sec all members' speeches recorded and made available to the public. The gallery is there for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear, ind the London ratepayer is spared an additional bUrden. Besides, the press can he trusted to report the more sensible (and the less) things we say. as it did on this occasion when Lady Lewisham made her maiden speech, a speech which, I regret to say, received such a waspish reception from your noted and not altogether unfair contribu- tor. Whatever its merits, the Council heard it with its customary courtesy.
And finally, if I may strain your columns further, may I just add that the purpose of any member, new or old, is not only to harass the overworked Whips, althongh I, like others, am becoming quite expert at this gamesmanship. As unpaid servants of the community, we may look like Benedictine monks, Hathaway shirt advertisements or Red Army colonels, but after Taper has had his hour of fun we go back to look at the damp walls of some of our constituents' dwellings, 'or struggle to ,get a family on the preferential housing list, or do the hundred-and-one chores in a complex system of local government—Yours faithfully,
[Taper writes : `Mr. Tutaev is kind, but seems to have conceded most of my points: 1, "Why should they not ask for party approval if they are pledged to support majority decisions?" Because an unasked question- is not a decision, and has nothing to do with party anyway. No doubt Mr. Tutaev would have "fought the issue" in the party group meeting if his question had been refused. But would he have won? 2. Since Mr. Tutaev agrees with me that there is no cross-voting in Council, there is nothing for us to argue about here,' 3. There is a public gallery in the House of Commons, but Mr. Tutaev would surely not argue that this is a sufficient reason for abolishing Hansard?'—Editor, Spectator.]
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