Contributions
7,836 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillLet me, at the outset, make it clear for the record that I think it is important that the Government pursue fraud. I asked the Secretary of State about that this afternoon during…03 Feb 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillNo one denies that there are those who are blatantly cheating the system, as I referred to in my oral question to the Secretary of State earlier today. On her point about fair…03 Feb 2025HANSARDBenefit Fraud by Criminal GangsIn the press today there is a reference to a criminal gang who defrauded the DWP by more than £1 million and were able to abscond to a certain eastern European country. Without…03 Feb 2025HANSARD Energy Development Proposals: Mid BuckinghamshireThe hon. Gentleman mentioned the importance of land. The priority for agricultural land is to provide the food to feed this nation, not for solar energy projects that clog and…03 Feb 2025HANSARDAstraZenecaI thank the Minister for his answers, and I have a respectful question. The axiom “it takes money to make money” is a foundational policy for many businesses but, for some of us…03 Feb 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillI apologise for omitting this issue from my speech. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Government have decided to penalise those who have been charged with alleged…03 Feb 2025HANSARD Energy Development Proposals: Mid BuckinghamshireWill the hon. Gentleman give way?03 Feb 2025HANSARD School Accountability and InterventionI thank the Minister for her answers and welcome the Government’s decision to uplift accountability and transparency in the schooling sector. Could the Minister clarify what help…03 Feb 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseIn Kyrgyzstan, President Sadyr Japarov has signed two new laws—the religion law and the amending law—imposing stricter regulations on religious communities in that country. Those…30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisI beg to move, That this House has considered medicinal cannabis. I invite Members to consider the benefits of medicinal cannabis, and I will address the challenges facing…30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisI thank the Minister for her comprehensive response. A constituent of her colleague, the hon. Member for South Ribble (Mr Foster), is in the Gallery today. Her young boy, Ben, is…30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisWill the hon. Lady give way?30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisI am sorry. I am not intervening just for the heck of it; I just want a wee bit of clarification. I welcome the fact that the Minister is referring to the trials, and how long…30 Jan 2025HANSARDBusiness Growth ServiceI thank the Minister for his positive response to that question. In Strangford, small businesses are the backbone of the community, and many people in those businesses work from…30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisI thank all hon. Members who contributed. The debate has been very helpful—indeed, more helpful than most. The Minister is right that it is unfortunate that a number of hon.…30 Jan 2025HANSARDMedicinal CannabisI thank the hon. Gentleman for coming along. I mentioned Joanne’s son Ben, who has failed 14 medications—the NHS says seven, so it is clear that there are failures in the system.…30 Jan 2025HANSARD Women’s Health StrategyI thank the Minister very much for her answers. The women’s health survey for Northern Ireland closes tomorrow. Through it, the Department of Health back home is hoping to have a…30 Jan 2025HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI thank the Minister very much for his response to the urgent question. Poultry and egg production contributes significantly to the Northern Ireland economy—it is valued at some…30 Jan 2025HANSARDOutsourcing: Government DepartmentsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. I thank the hon. Member for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East (Andy McDonald) for securing this debate. I do not say…29 Jan 2025HANSARD Cadet ForcesI commend the hon. Gentleman on bringing forward this debate. Cadet forces have featured very much in my life and in Northern Ireland. I declare an interest as a former solider…29 Jan 2025