Contributions
326 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, who from his time as a Defence Minister knows well how to keep tabs on those who have served our country but are now retired. The pension…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)The hon. Gentleman makes a helpful challenge. Clearly, there is no impact assessment with the amendment. However, there is a joint service publication, the RARO—regular army…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I welcome the clause. Will the Minister set out how there will be consistency in the use of these powers by commanding officers, to ensure that there is equality of justice across…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in support of the amendment, which was tabled in the name of His Majesty’s loyal Opposition, and to set out my broader support for…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I welcome the hon. Member’s intervention. If he is suggesting that we should look at going wider than the confines of this specific amendment, I would welcome that conversation.…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I will confine my remarks to amendment 6, tabled by the hon. Members for North Devon and for Tunbridge Wells. Although I have real sympathy with its purpose, I am hesitant about…14 Apr 2026HANSARDSEND Provision and ReformI am grateful to my constituency neighbour for giving way. I was in the same meeting, and one of the big concerns was the loss of the special school planned for Tamworth Lane.…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe Prime Minister is absolutely correct to praise the service of our armed forces personnel, and I join him in doing so, but they are being let down by the failure to deliver the…13 Apr 2026HANSARDEngagementsThank you, Mr. Speaker. On 21 November last year, Robert Clancy, a hugely valued and much loved member of my staff, took his own life. He was 29. While successive Governments have…25 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)The hon. Member makes a valid point. Of course there will need to be a degree of clinical judgment, but the premise that somebody has to start at the bottom of the system by…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)My right hon. Friend is absolutely right: this is about not only streamlining the process, but giving more heft to those who wield the power to ensure that we get improved patient…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I am grateful to the Minister for setting out his broad support for the intent of my amendment, if not for its practical workings. I am grateful for the invitation to meet him and…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It continues to be a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. I will confine my remarks to amendment 10, concerning the continuity of NHS secondary care services for…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I am grateful, as always, to my right hon. Friend for his intervention, because he has hit the nail on the head. This is not something novel; it is merely codifying—formalising in…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)My hon. Friend is making a very powerful speech. Does he not consider one advantage of these action plans to be shared learning across local authorities, as those with more…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It is an enormous pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. I want to focus my remarks on amendment 8, which, as my hon. Friend the Member for Exmouth and Exeter East…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I promise the Minister that this will be the last time I intervene.24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I am grateful to the Minister for indulging me. I do not disagree that, to a greater or lesser extent, this is a matter of education, but there is the issue of guidance being…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Does the Minister not accept that there is inconsistent application of the covenant across public bodies, and that to try to fix that, which all of us on the Committee are seeking…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Yes, on this particular point.24 Mar 2026