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1,335 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFirearms LicensingSpeak for yourself.23 Feb 2026HANSARDDriving Test Waiting TimesWhen these Ministers came to power, they promised that they would act to reduce the waiting time for a driving test, and not just by a little bit; they said they would get it down…12 Feb 2026HANSARDRail Fare AffordabilityThe Government claim to be simplifying rail fares, but we are beginning to see what they mean by that. London North Eastern Railway is scrapping off-peak and super-off-peak…12 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The Conservatives are very supportive of the intention behind the new clause. The replacement for Network Rail within GBR cannot bring the same, frankly uninterested, culture to…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)The answer is no, because money was involved. A shining example of the restoring your railways project is the Northumberland line, which was created under and funded by the…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)New clause 31 seeks to reimpose minimum service levels. It would require the Secretary of State to make regulations to impose minimum service levels on passenger rail services,…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)Thank you, Sir Alec. On new clause 11, I hear what the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage says about fiscal responsibility, but it seems a bit strange to set up a fund with no…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)I seek a bit of advice here, Sir Alec: I presume this is the right time to talk about new clause 35 as well.10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)I have nothing to add. Question put and agreed to. New clause 61 accordingly read a Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 62 Transfer schemes made by Scottish Ministers…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)The Minister has inadvertently misunderstood that paragraph of the new clause; it does not refer to performance but to productivity.10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)That is an interesting point. If the productivity of a private business falls, it becomes less profitable and cannot afford pay rises. Should the same attitude not be directed to…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)Before I respond to that, Mr Western, is this my last opportunity to speak in the Committee?10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)In that case, these are all straightforward ancillary parts to the Bill, and I have no comments to make. Question put and agreed to. Clause 89 ordered to stand part of the Bill.…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)I have no comments.10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 103, in clause 80, page 47, line 13, leave out subsection (1) and insert— “(1) Great British Railways must inform Scottish Ministers before making a…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)That will teach me to go away for a day; the Committee finished off half the Bill without me. Anyway, we will go back to the usual slow progress today! Clause 80 is pretty…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)I am not going to suggest that we do not progress the Bill to its next stage, because I am not sure I would win that vote, but I want to take this opportunity to thank the…10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourteenth sitting)The Minister raises interesting arguments, but I wish new clauses 31 and 32 to be put to a vote. Question put , That the clause be read a Second time.10 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Thirteenth sitting)These are two unremarkable clauses. We have no objections to either of them. As for the Government amendments, they are technical in nature and we also support them.10 Feb 2026