Contributions
566 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGas Storage LevelsI have a certain amount of sympathy for the hon. Member for Widnes and Halewood (Derek Twigg), whom the Minister slightly fobbed off with his answer. Now that he has had a chance…13 Jan 2025HANSARDArtificial Intelligence Opportunities Action PlanI do not know whether the Secretary of State has had a moment to read The Times this morning, but it reports that the Chancellor is using a new AI tool to answer her emails. It is…13 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have an anomalous situation in Spelthorne whereby someone can get six London red buses on an Oyster card, but they cannot get the train out to the stations at the end of the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDFloodingThe people of Spelthorne have been holding their breath during this flood season. Obviously, prevention is better than cure. Can the Minister update us on the River Thames scheme…06 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhen the Secretary of State appeared at the Defence Committee recently, he was sitting alongside his permanent secretary when the permanent secretary announced that it was his…06 Jan 2025HANSARD Winter PreparednessYesterday I spoke to an elderly gentleman who was taking himself off to his local pharmacy to receive the RSV jab, but because he was over 80 he was going to pay more than £200…18 Dec 2024HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillI am grateful to the hon. Member for giving way, particularly on the subject of growth. He, like me, is an avid reader of the Labour party manifesto, so he knows that sustained…17 Dec 2024HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillWill the hon. Member give way?17 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his intervention—it is almost as if he read my speech. I was going to stay on my German theme and say that one person who interpreted that general…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)There is something of a twilight zone. We heard from Colonel Darren Doherty on Tuesday that he had done his 38 years’ service and was now entering a period of regular reserved…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)It occurs to me that, prior to taking the oath, there is a body of people who are prospective recruits. They have a material impact on morale, because if they take months and…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)If that strategy does not work or if it is seen to be failing, will the Minister make it clear whether that is something that the Armed Forces Commissioner could look at? As the…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)Members of the Committee will be aware that line 35 on page 2 defines a general welfare matter using its own terms; it says that a general welfare matter is a matter to do with…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Fourth sitting)I do not think it is, actually. This is important, because as written—without the amendment—the provision refers to a matter that “arises in connection with ongoing service of…12 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Third sitting)If the commissioner were to come to the Secretary of State and say that they would like members of the armed forces seconded permanently to their staff, what would the Secretary…12 Dec 2024HANSARDNHS Waiting ListsThe Labour party has been in charge in Wales for 25 years. The percentage of patients in Wales waiting more than a year for treatment is 22.5%, compared with 4% in England. Why,…11 Dec 2024HANSARDNHS Waiting Lists5. What assessment she has made with the Welsh Government of trends in levels of NHS waiting lists in Wales in the last 12 months.11 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Second sitting)Q You will have seen the witness list for today, and you will notice that the only people we do not get to consult are the military chain of command because their views are, for…10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Second sitting)We might return to that on Thursday, but thank you.10 Dec 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill (Second sitting)Q I am obliged to Maria Lyle for highlighting the issue about whether the commissioner will be a call centre or will produce big, thematic reports. The explanatory note to the…10 Dec 2024