Contributions
624 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Public HealthAt the beginning of the pandemic, we were flying blind. The number of tests we could administer—a few hundred a day in a country of 60 million—was so inadequate that we were in…01 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Restrictions on Gyms and SportExciting as the occasion will be—indeed, it will be a red letter day—I suspect that there will be social distancing outdoors. I hope that there will be no other restrictions on…23 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Restrictions on Gyms and SportIt is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I was sorry to miss the speech of the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell) and…23 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Winter PlanThe scientists, their teams and all the volunteers deserve our thanks for getting the breakthrough with the vaccine, as do the Secretary of State and the Government for funding…23 Nov 2020HANSARDNational Security and Investment BillIt is a pleasure to follow the thoughtful speech of the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie). May I join my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green…17 Nov 2020HANSARDNational Security and Investment BillOf course we should look at the example of other countries; I am sure we will do so during the course of the Bill. However, I would say to my hon. Friend that those two countries…17 Nov 2020HANSARDNational Security and Investment BillWhen the decision maker is a Minister in the Government, they benefit from the advice of the security services, including the National Security Adviser. That was certainly my…17 Nov 2020HANSARDNational Security and Investment BillMy right hon. Friend is right. To look ahead, we need to develop the capabilities to do that, and for a unit in the Department that previously did not have that responsibility—it…17 Nov 2020HANSARDNational Security and Investment BillI would say to my hon. Friend that the Bill’s focus on national security is absolutely right. We should have a beady eye on national security, with substantial powers, as my right…17 Nov 2020HANSARD Covid-19 UpdateIt is important that Parliament should have the chance to scrutinise the scientific advice behind these recommendations, so I am grateful to Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor…02 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThe concern that many of us have is that restrictions can be imposed in a day, but take months to lift. In London, the restrictions were imposed not because of a higher level of…19 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateA lot of weight is being shouldered by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, which is engaged in decisions that are having big consequences for millions of people across the country. It…15 Oct 2020HANSARDDigital, Culture, Media and Sport: Support MeasuresIt is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse). Bath is not the only spa town in which the arts and culture are absolutely foundational to our way of life. A…08 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy right hon. Friend and everyone in the House hopes that there will be a safe and effective vaccine available during the months ahead, but the head of the vaccines taskforce has…05 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 Update and Hospitality CurfewIt does seem strange to think that concentrating trade in a smaller number of hours and making everyone leave a pub or restaurant at the same time, rather than spacing them out…01 Oct 2020HANSARD Flexible Rail TicketingMy hon. Friend read out a tantalising list of rail operators offering some form of flexible ticketing to commuters, but as he said, that is not available to Southeastern…29 Sept 2020HANSARD Flexible Rail TicketingI agree with my hon. Friend that this is a time in which we must display the same flexibility, innovation and responsiveness that we have—and have had to—in so many other areas of…29 Sept 2020HANSARD Flexible Rail TicketingAs I have said, this problem has persisted for too long and we need to catch up with the 21st century, but now is a particular moment to make that reform, so that people can go…29 Sept 2020HANSARD Flexible Rail TicketingThe hon. Gentleman makes a good point that it is not only workers who commute. Many students commute into the capital and, indeed, other cities around the country—and, I dare say,…29 Sept 2020HANSARD Flexible Rail TicketingThe covid pandemic, unknown to the world nine months ago, has required businesses, people and the Government to make huge and rapid changes to the way we live our lives with a…29 Sept 2020