Contributions
142 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsT5. Many small businesses in my constituency are gearing up for the busy tourist season that is just around the corner. What steps are the Government taking to support small…12 Mar 2026HANSARD Ministry of DefenceI am getting frustrated about the defence investment plan. Could the Minister, when he sums up, confirm whether it is stuck in the Treasury, and the two Departments are arguing…04 Mar 2026HANSARDNHS Capital SpendingI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) for introducing this important debate. I thank the Minister for visiting North Devon district hospital…04 Mar 2026HANSARD Ministry of DefenceI thank the Chair of the Defence Committee for securing this estimates debate on defence. Of all the demands on public finances, none are more serious than paying for this…04 Mar 2026HANSARDSpring ForecastThe Chancellor refers to opportunities that young people deserve. However, hundreds of college students in my North Devon constituency have spent weeks unable to travel to college…03 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastAs a veteran, I agree with the Prime Minister that the safety of our armed forces and of British citizens should come first in any decision made in the future. Given the rapidly…02 Mar 2026HANSARDSupporting Children with SENDI thank the Minister for the Government’s decision to effectively write off about 90% of Devon county council’s SEND debts. I know that will reassure many parents in my…02 Mar 2026HANSARD UkraineI totally agree with the hon. Gentleman that those people should be held accountable for the crimes they have committed. I am sure the Minister will take note of that. On that…25 Feb 2026HANSARD UkraineIt gives me great pleasure to be one of the last speakers in such a unifying debate, in which Members on all sides of the House can agree on the same thing. I associate myself…25 Feb 2026HANSARD UkraineI thank my hon. Friend for making that poignant point, with which I totally agree. We in the UK are relearning the strategic importance of warfighting, of deterrence, readiness…25 Feb 2026HANSARD UkraineI certainly do. I thank the right hon. Gentleman for telling us about his visit. It is great that we can share learning as well as military capabilities. The past four years must…25 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeThis is a really important programme, and I see that the official Opposition have not even bothered to turn up to the debate. I asked the Defence Secretary about the DIP, and he…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeDoes the Minister agree that the new medium helicopter programme is a chance not just to upgrade an important capability but to move the service branches on to a common helicopter…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeThe new Chief of the Defence Staff told me, as a member of the Defence Committee, that the medium helicopter programme was still very much on the armed forces’ priorities list.…11 Feb 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Home Office has said that a new licence to practice will be required by all police officers. Can the Minister explain how that will differ from what is required under police…09 Feb 2026HANSARDTarka LineFurther to our online petition, signed by more than 3,000 people, calling for the Tarka rail line to be future-proofed, I present this petition on behalf of rail passengers in…04 Feb 2026HANSARDNaval ShipbuildingWe could invest better in naval shipbuilding if the Government paid attention to a report published by the National Audit Office, which estimates that £1.5 billion a year of…02 Feb 2026HANSARDRail InfrastructureThe Tarka line in North Devon has seen a massive increase in footfall. However, the line is often closed because of the lack of infrastructure upkeep. Will the Minister meet me to…27 Jan 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT4. One of my constituents is a disabled Royal Navy veteran. Their migration to universal credit has been a nightmare, involving incorrect payments, long delays to identity…26 Jan 2026HANSARD Armed Forces BillIt is a privilege to speak on the Armed Forces Bill, which will shape the direction of this country’s armed forces for the next half-decade. The war in Ukraine should be a wake-up…26 Jan 2026