Contributions
703 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPost-18 Education and FundingElements of the review should be welcomed. It is encouraging that the UK Government finally recognise the barrier that tuition fees can place in the way of a young person’s…04 Jun 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationThat simply is not the case, as I explained in my speech. The Wave Sovereign was there. It was present. The crew were on board and the crew witnessed the blast.21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationWilliam Caldwell was a 19-year-old merchant seaman when he was sent from Glasgow to Newcastle to join the crew of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Sovereign. He thought he would be…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationThat is of course the point I was making, and I do not for a moment suggest that that comes anywhere near what would be required properly to compensate people there. The point I…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationOne issue that I raised was the offspring of test veterans. It seems that they are not being included in the medical tests, but we know that the incidence of leukaemia and other…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI raised the recognition by Lord MacKay that RFA personnel would be considered as veterans for the purpose of war pensions. The Minister has not addressed that. I wonder whether…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I am happy to look into that and ask questions about it. Veterans’ numbers are dwindling, but there are thought to be…21 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersThe right hon. Gentleman makes an important point; I do not think any of us here want to see 70-year-old former soldiers going to jail. However, in order to get to the truth,…20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersNo, I will not.20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersWe must have confidence in the police and the judiciary in Northern Ireland, and it is for Stormont to reform those institutions if they are not serving Northern Ireland well. I…20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersI have already said that I will not.20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersNo, I will not. We also must have confidence in the ability of the police and the judiciary in Northern Ireland to serve the people.20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersThis has been an extremely emotional debate in which many hon. and gallant Members have spoken passionately about their personal experience in Northern Ireland. We expect the…20 May 2019HANSARDIncome Tax Rate: ScotlandBut of course about a third of armed forces personnel based in England, notably the lowest paid members of the armed forces, are paying more income tax than their counterparts in…20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersI sincerely hope the hon. Gentleman is not comparing members of our armed forces to terrorists.20 May 2019HANSARDImmunity for SoldiersThese investigations must not be time-constrained. The idea that after a set period of time a line is drawn under past incidents does not support the families’ need for…20 May 2019HANSARDSpanish Parliamentary Election: GibraltarOf course, SNP Members very much support the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination. Their sovereignty should rest with them—and the sovereignty of the people of…14 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsEarlier this year I met representatives of those who carry out work capability assessments and representatives from the previous disability Minister’s office. I was assured that…13 May 2019HANSARD Commonwealth Personnel in the Armed ForcesI thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. We could also mention the Hong Kong service personnel caught up in this. They are not able to apply even for British citizenship,…08 May 2019HANSARD Commonwealth Personnel in the Armed ForcesIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Sharma. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr Sweeney) on securing this extremely important debate. I…08 May 2019