Contributions
275 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD UK Submarine FleetI thank everyone who has participated in this debate, from the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) and my hon. Friends the Members for Derby North (Catherine Atkinson), for…15 Jan 2025HANSARD UK Submarine FleetMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. In doing research for this debate, I was fascinated to learn about the maritime range that exists off the west coast of Scotland, which is very…15 Jan 2025HANSARD Budget: ScotlandIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. For years the SNP Scottish Government were able to blame an incompetent Tory Government for their own failures. Tory…07 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Services: ChildrenThe long-term impact of the covid-19 pandemic on young people is often forgotten, with isolation leading to missed opportunities, lost life experiences and still unknown impacts…07 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Services: Children1. What steps he is taking to improve mental health services for children.07 Jan 2025HANSARD Budget: ScotlandI choose not to give way because I am conscious of the time and the others who still wish to speak. The SNP has fundamentally failed to use the powers of the Scottish Government…07 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI recently visited HMS Swiftsure at Rosyth in my constituency, a former Royal Navy submarine now being safely and securely dismantled and recycled by Babcock, as a pilot project…06 Jan 2025HANSARDMineworkers’ Pension Scheme: Living Standards4. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the mineworkers’ pension scheme on the living standards of recipients.17 Dec 2024HANSARDMineworkers’ Pension Scheme: Living StandardsCorrecting the injustice in the mineworkers’ pension scheme has made an incredible difference to the former miners in my constituency of Dunfermline and Dollar after so many…17 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Third sitting)Further to the intervention from my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, I think the difference between the American system and the British system is stark, not least because of…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Third sitting)rose—12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. I want to make a couple of small points. I have worked with ombudsmen in the past; ultimately, as we heard in the…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Third sitting)I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving way. Perhaps I can assist him by drawing his attention to schedule 1 on page 10 of the Bill. It specifically says: “The Secretary of…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Second sitting)Q If someone is dissatisfied with the outcome that they have received from the commissioner, is there a way they can appeal it? I think we covered this earlier with other…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q That is helpful. The Bill provides for the Secretary of State to provide additional staff. Do you envisage that being required very quickly, or do you think the current staff…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q Lastly, how do you envisage the new role working with the devolved Administrations? As a Scottish MP, I am thinking particularly of Scotland. How will the role interact with the…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q Related to that is new section 340IA in clause 4(2), which states: “in the Commissioner’s opinion…may materially affect the welfare”. Is the concern that that word choice…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q As I mentioned the ombudsman, can I ask how you think the Bill will work with the existing veterans commissioners, especially in Scotland, and how can we make sure this is…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q On your point about shame factors around the Armed Forces in the past, do you see the role of the commissioner as being essentially proactive and preventive in heading those…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (First sitting)Q I am conscious of the time. Could you answer that question, and include the role that you feel your charities would have with the commissioner in heading off some of those…10 Dec 2024