Contributions
56 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTV Licences for Over-75sIs not one of the cruellest things about this that it is younger people, by and large, who have a far greater choice when it comes to TV viewing, because many of them are now…08 May 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. As a satellite hub, companies in Glasgow have produced huge volumes of satellites. Two companies, Alba Orbital and Spire Global, have…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandI absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. I will touch on that point later in my remarks. Although we must continue to support shipbuilding, the UK and Scottish Governments must…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandI completely agree with my hon. Friend, and later in my speech I will make the point that making short-term decisions without looking at the whole picture is inherently flawed.30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandI beg to move, That this House has considered the diversification of the defence industry in Scotland. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Hollobone. I am glad that…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandMy right hon. Friend will not be surprised to know that we have different views on Britain’s membership of the European Union. I largely consider that we are kicking ourselves out…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandI absolutely agree. Recently, when I visited the site, I was pleased to see how many of my constituents are employed there. I am disappointed about the previous actions of both…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandI thank the hon. Gentleman for his point, which was well made. I am sure that the Minister will respond in his remarks.30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. To be frank, I find it amazing that the red, white and blue Conservative party of Great Britain does not see the merit of building such…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandThere are so many different layers to this. Going into the day-to-day costs in pounds sterling is bad enough, but adding the uncertainty of trying to set up a whole new currency…30 Apr 2019HANSARD Defence Industry: ScotlandIt is a pity that the Minister’s response was cut short, not least because I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what he had to say about the FSS issue that has been raised…30 Apr 2019HANSARDDevolved GovernmentDevolution and peace in Northern Ireland are precious and hard won. That is brilliantly captured with great humour and poignancy in the latest series of “Derry Girls”, which I…10 Apr 2019HANSARD LGBT Rights: BruneiClearly, this is brutality at the very extreme end of the spectrum. However, it should not have to get to that point before we take LGBT rights seriously. My hon. Friend is…10 Apr 2019HANSARD IR35 Tax ReformsI thank the Minister for his response and hon. Members for attending the debate. This is a very complicated issue, and it is not necessarily one that sets pulses racing. However,…04 Apr 2019HANSARD IR35 Tax ReformsI absolutely agree. Small businesses will be affected by these changes anyway. People will be operating in a two-tier system, because many will work for small businesses as well…04 Apr 2019HANSARD IR35 Tax ReformsI thank the Minister for that. I appreciate that we can have a constructive approach. I do not think any of us disagrees about the principles; this is about getting it right.…04 Apr 2019HANSARD IR35 Tax ReformsDoes the Minister know—I am not claiming that I do—how much of that £550 million is the result of the public sector incorrectly sweeping up contractors into the IR35 rules?04 Apr 2019HANSARD IR35 Tax ReformsI beg to move, That this House has considered IR35 tax reforms. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Gapes. We are now a year out from the Government’s extension of…04 Apr 2019HANSARD Veteran SuicideThis morning, I received a very heartfelt and upsetting email from two women married to two former British Army infantrymen. Both men have been admitted to psychiatric wards in…03 Apr 2019HANSARDLeaving the European UnionMy hon. Friend is making an excellent point about people who still want to leave the European Union. Is it not the case that, given all the water that has gone under the bridge,…01 Apr 2019