Contributions
236 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAsylum Seekers: HotelsWhile we are on the issue of immigration statistics, when the previous Conservative Government signed the contracts that led to those hotels opening, the average cost per asylum…09 Feb 2026HANSARD Occupied Palestinian Territories: Genocide Risk AssessmentWe are here to discuss genocide. As my hon. Friend says, 20,000 children have been killed, 95% of hospitals have been destroyed, and food has been blocked to the point of famine.…05 Feb 2026HANSARD National Cancer PlanI strongly welcome the Minister’s statement, which I found quite emotional. I know that many of her friends are pleased to see her making it today. She said that cancer mortality…05 Feb 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsThe hon. Gentleman makes an important point. Speaking as an MP whose constituency is a tourist centre—we welcome people from across the world, and particularly from France—I know…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsI did not know that the Festival Interceltique de Lorient was focusing on Cornwall this year, but I have another interest to declare, because I remember going to that festival as…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have had the entente cordiale, the entente industrielle, which I referred to earlier, and the entente amicale. Bilingual schools have a huge…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsThank you, Mr Dowd. I was on the point of winding up there, do not worry. My hon. Friend made an excellent point; he and I could spend hours discussing the Government architecture…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsI beg to move, That this House has considered UK relations with France. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I have called this debate because we are at an…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsThe hon. Gentleman is right that, strategically, our interests are aligned, even when there are key issues. I will come on to migration in just a second.14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsI will first declare an interest: I worked at the UK embassy in Paris—the quality has improved a lot since I left. I completely agree with the right hon. Gentleman: the UK staff…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. The UK and France have substantial military technology sectors, which are critical for not only our security but the rules-based…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that relationships between political leaders are critical to developing relationships between nations, and I look forward to the work we…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsI agree entirely with the point my hon. Friend makes. Like him, I have worked a lot with the Franco-British Council, and he is right that Europe’s strategic autonomy and ability…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsI thank the hon. Gentleman for sharing the history of his constituency on this important issue. SAFE is an issue that the Government and other actors in both France and the UK are…14 Jan 2026HANSARD UK-France RelationsMy hon. Friend makes a really important point. The immigration system needs reform and needs to meet the public’s expectations, but that must happen in a way that works for the…14 Jan 2026HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI wish everyone a very Murray Christmas. The communities of Niddrie, Bingham, Magdalene and The Christians are fantastic places full of hard-working people who take pride in their…18 Dec 2025HANSARD INEOS Chemicals: GrangemouthI strongly welcome today’s announcement, which is important not only for workers in Grangemouth but for the wider Scottish economy. Whether it is today’s announcement about…17 Dec 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and Girls StrategyLike the whole Home Affairs Committee, I am looking forward to the strategy being published on Thursday. We did a lot of work looking at funding in the violence against women and…15 Dec 2025HANSARDEngagementsQ11. Last month, the video games company Rockstar in my constituency fired 31 employees without providing evidence or union representation. The IWGB union alleges union busting.…10 Dec 2025HANSARDGrooming Gangs: Independent InquiryI welcome this significant set of announcements from the Home Secretary and the strong panel members appointed. The Home Secretary will be aware that the Scottish Government have…09 Dec 2025