Contributions
962 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSocioeconomic EqualityOne thing that can militate against socioeconomic equality, particularly for the elderly and most vulnerable, is access to care staff. The rate of remuneration is 61p per mile,…13 Dec 2023HANSARD Elderly and Vulnerable People: Loneliness and IsolationThe hon. Member is making an excellent speech that really strikes a chord with all of us. In my constituency, and indeed in the whole of the north of Scotland, the Bank of…06 Dec 2023HANSARD Elderly and Vulnerable People: Loneliness and IsolationIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Sharma. Having heard the excellent speech from the hon. Member for St Ives (Derek Thomas), I feel he has taken away most of…06 Dec 2023HANSARDTown Centre SafetyIt is a pity that the Scottish National party Members are not here, because normally they would waste no opportunity to stand up and say how well they do things in Scotland, and…05 Dec 2023HANSARDPost Office Branch Closures2. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of post office branch closures on the delivery of Government services in Scotland.29 Nov 2023HANSARDRural Councils: FundingIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Latham. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Dorset (Chris Loder) on a well-informed and passionate speech. I am going to…29 Nov 2023HANSARDPost Office Branch ClosuresOur rural branches of the post office are at the very core, the very heart, of our rural communities. At present, His Majesty’s Government provide certain services to the public…29 Nov 2023HANSARD Media BillI want to start by expressing my party’s broad support for this Bill, which is timely. What a change we have seen since 2003 when the Communications Act was passed: it is a…21 Nov 2023HANSARD Media BillThe hon. Member is making a very good point about the Gaelic language. I absolutely hate to say this in this place, but my constituency has a few native Gaelic speakers—there are…21 Nov 2023HANSARD Media BillYes, the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct. Furthermore, as we know, local radio—and, as was expressed by the right hon. and learned Member for South Swindon (Sir Robert…21 Nov 2023HANSARD Media BillWhen I was last in the United States, before the pandemic, I was astounded by how many people asked me if I had heard of “The Crown” or “Downton Abbey”. If that was not an example…21 Nov 2023HANSARD Media BillI believe that is a wise point, and we would be wise to heed it. When it comes to Channel 4, I believe I am not alone in having concerns about plans to relax the…21 Nov 2023HANSARD Business of the HouseThis is not about Mid Devon. A large amount of electricity is generated from wind power in my constituency in the north of Scotland, and more will be generated in the future. It…16 Nov 2023HANSARDViolence Reduction, Policing and Criminal JusticeThe right hon. and learned Gentleman is making an interesting speech. I expect he will share my disquiet that we presently have 600 vacancies for police in Scotland which are not…15 Nov 2023HANSARDViolence Reduction, Policing and Criminal JusticeThat is precisely why the second main point in my party’s amendment is a call for a bipartisan ceasefire right now. I also want to emphasise that the future of Gaza must not be…15 Nov 2023HANSARDViolence Reduction, Policing and Criminal JusticeLet me begin by making three points. First, I must congratulate the new hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Michael Shanks) on a sparkling maiden speech. It is worrying…15 Nov 2023HANSARD UK Sanctions Regime: Russia and BelarusThe Minister has given us a very informative statement. I am very interested in this business of intellectual knowledge getting to Russia via third parties. Can I take it that His…09 Nov 2023HANSARD Business of the HouseWick harbour in my constituency suffered damage in the recent storms. If that is not dealt with very fast indeed, it could jeopardise the future use of the harbour. In the same…09 Nov 2023HANSARD Artificial Intelligence Safety SummitThe Bletchley Park declaration is indeed to be welcomed. Given the more or less consensual response to the Secretary of State’s statement, it strikes me that taking this issue…09 Nov 2023HANSARDBritish SteelSome of the mightiest structures made of steel were built in my constituency, in the Nigg yard—I worked there myself once upon a time. The hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Holly…08 Nov 2023