Contributions
321 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGreen Book7. Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of its guidance entitled “The Green Book.”07 May 2024HANSARDGreen BookI represent a rural constituency in Dorset in the south-west of England. My right hon. Friend will know that it is important to me and my colleagues in the region that the…07 May 2024HANSARDHospice FundingIt is a pleasure to contribute to the debate. I note that Dorset is well represented, as my constituency neighbour and hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax) is…22 Apr 2024HANSARD Defence Acquisition ReformMy hon. Friend will know full well that I am a huge advocate of Leonardo Helicopters in the neighbouring Yeovil constituency, which is the home of British helicopters as the only…28 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceThe hon. Gentleman mentions audited accounts. Does he have an opinion on the audit of Plymouth City Council’s accounts? I was delighted to go to Plymouth on Friday, and debated…07 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceI have not quite finished replying to the hon. Lady’s previous intervention. I would like further to put into context the contrast between the finances of Somerset and Dorset.…07 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceIt is a pleasure to contribute to this debate, which for me is the highlight of the parliamentary calendar. Relentlessly, year after year, I have contributed to the debate with…07 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceI thank the hon. Lady very much for her intervention. She and I are frequently in Westminster Hall debating these matters with great passion and vigour. I know that she feels as…07 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceThe reality is that the Liberal Democrats are not delivering on the Conservative legacy. That is clear for all to see, especially those who live in Yeovil and Taunton. It will…07 Feb 2024HANSARD Local Government FinanceI thank the hon. Lady for giving way. I appreciate the point she makes and agree with much of what she says. I just wanted to briefly say—07 Feb 2024HANSARD Three and Vodafone: Potential MergerIt is a pleasure to be called in this debate. How pleased I am to follow the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne). I offer my belated congratulations on his…14 Dec 2023HANSARD Three and Vodafone: Potential MergerI thank the hon. Member for his kind intervention. He almost takes the words out of my mouth, as I go on to the next part of my speech. The case that is being put, as I understand…14 Dec 2023HANSARD Three and Vodafone: Potential MergerI thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind intervention. The right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill made a lot of those points, along with my right hon. Friend the Member for…14 Dec 2023HANSARD Three and Vodafone: Potential MergerI thank my right hon. Friend for his intervention. He makes a very valid point. I recall the debates we had in the House several years ago and I think they were very meaningful. I…14 Dec 2023HANSARD Three and Vodafone: Potential MergerI think my right hon. Friend is agreeing that some of Ofcom’s assumptions on coverage are a little questionable. Given that the universal service obligation is based on those…14 Dec 2023HANSARD Broadband: Rural CommunitiesI beg to move, That this House has considered the provision of broadband for rural communities. It is a pleasure to be here as the Member for West Dorset and to serve under your…13 Dec 2023HANSARD Broadband: Rural CommunitiesYes, I entirely agree. For far too long the prioritisation has been to connect urban and more densely populated areas, rather than rural areas. We live in a country where we do…13 Dec 2023HANSARD Broadband: Rural CommunitiesI wholly agree. In a moment, I intend to talk about the impact of the digital phone switchover, because it appears to be complete madness that we are continuing to progress with…13 Dec 2023HANSARD Broadband: Rural CommunitiesWill the hon. Gentleman, my neighbour, join me in welcoming the Government policy to set aside £8 million to help those who are in the most difficult positions—down country lanes…13 Dec 2023HANSARD Broadband: Rural CommunitiesDoes my hon. Friend agree that some of these unscrupulous providers, who suggest they are going to do things but then backtrack and fail to deliver, should be properly held to…13 Dec 2023