Contributions
962 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDebate on the Addressrose—07 Nov 2023HANSARDDebate on the AddressThe right hon. Lady is making a most interesting contribution. In years gone by, we had the skills to construct massive structures for the North sea. If we can pass those skills…07 Nov 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityI absolutely concur with that, and it brings me to my next point. When nature calls for our posties, they have been advised that they will simply have to use public toilets rather…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityMy hon. Friend is correct. He represents a remote constituency, as I do. When I talk about the social fabric of the nation, it is important to have a network of post offices in…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityThe point is well made. I will give this specific detail: until now, Royal Mail, which is a separate organisation, has paid each of the two post offices I described to have a…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityAgain, a very good intervention; I completely agree. I have described a success story, for which I thank the Post Office for seeing that it happened. Now I turn to a more…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityYes, indeed. I completely agree with that. I hope that some constructive thinking will now be forthcoming. As I have said already, this is part of our social fabric. Earlier, I…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityIndeed, the hon. Gentleman makes a wise point. A final point on Maureen Ross: she has protected a fundamental pillar of that community. It is no surprise that a few weeks ago she…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityI will say in passing that I am very considerably encouraged by the number of interventions. It leaves me in very good heart.25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityAt the beginning of my contribution, I outlined the success story that is the work of Councillor Maureen Ross to establish a post office in Balintore. I know from having talked to…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityPerhaps I asked for that one. As I said, there are ways of keeping the post offices open. Getting rid of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency services is absolutely not one of…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityIndeed I do agree. If we look at this historically, the Royal Mail post office network was one of the proudest achievements of the 19th century: it made this country what it is.…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityGoodness me! With pleasure.25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityThe hon. Lady makes an extremely good intervention.25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityMy right hon. Friend represents the furthest constituency—even further away than mine—so he indeed knows what he is talking about. Money is lost. There are, however, other ways to…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityAgain, wise words.25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityI beg to move, That this House has considered the sustainability of rural post offices. It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hosie. Balintore is a…25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityI sense another intervention coming.25 Oct 2023HANSARD Rural Postal Services: SustainabilityThat is absolutely correct. I think we are all saying that any Government, of any colour—be it the Scottish Government, or Westminster—has a responsibility to remote communities.…25 Oct 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsSome of the finest seed potatoes are grown in the north of Scotland. Right now, the seed potato farmers are worried sick, because a lot of their crop is below water. That also…19 Oct 2023