WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox refused six times to 'give way' during a Commons debate last week. Conservative Mr Cox was outlining the hardship suffered by low income families and the elderly in rural areas, made worse by rising energy costs and the proposal to close sub-post offices. He told MPs that last June the price of heating oil across the country averaged 32.5p a litre. Research by his office revealed that in his constituency, a bulk order of 500 litres of heating oil would now cost an average of 62.3p a litre. He said: 'How is a pensioner household in a small village or hamlet in West Devon and Torridge, or in the rest of rural England, to cope with a doubling in the cost of heating oil, which in rural areas is usually the only choice people have for heating their home?' Diesel had risen by 27% since 2005, he said. 'These rises in costs fall oppressively hard on those who live in remote and isolated rural communities. 'They have no choice but to travel from their village into the nearest market town, and often that is 15 or 20 miles — a 40-mile round trip.' Mr Cox attacked the Government for planning to double the excise duty on older cars, which he said was a 'serious burden' for his constituents, many of whom had to use older vehicles. 'It is a keenly felt axe upon their quality of life,' he said. He also attacked the proposal to close rural sub-post offices and some medical centre dispensaries, saying it would mean people would have to drive further for essential items. He called on the Government to scrap its proposed 2p a litre fuel price rise, abandon the vehicle excise duty proposals and stop the post office closure programme. The Government seemed committed to 'proceeding upon their current damaging and destructive course,' he said, and hoped a general election would be called as soon as possible so that they could be ejected. Labour MP Brian Donohoe and Liberal Democrat Jeremy Browne repeatedly asked Mr Cox to 'give way' , but the West Devon and Torridge MP refused to budge. l To 'give way' is the term used by MPs who want to interrupt an MP who is speaking in the House of Commons. An MP cannot intervene when another MP is speaking unless that MP allows it by giving way.
