Contributions
1,036 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSmokefree England: Covid-19 and PHE AbolitionAs you say, Madam Deputy Speaker, this is an important issue. I return to my point about developing a national strategy for reducing rates of smoking in pregnancy among women and…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSmokefree England: Covid-19 and PHE AbolitionMay I start by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for City of Durham (Mary Kelly Foy) on securing this debate and on her introductory speech? I am going to start in…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSmokefree England: Covid-19 and PHE AbolitionSorry, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am getting carried away. I will be asking the Minister what he will be doing to ensure that vital maternity safety programmes, such as the saving…12 Nov 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIt is now some four months since Baroness Cumberlege produced her report “First do no harm” on the problems caused by vaginal mesh, Primodos and sodium valproate. After four…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSmokefree England: Covid-19 and PHE AbolitionSorry. I will start by telling you, Madam Deputy Speaker, what I am going to be asking the Minister and then perhaps expanding on that. First of all, Minister, I will be asking…12 Nov 2020HANSARDDraft Environment and Wildlife (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020Will the Minister explain exactly how the UK will continue that international collaboration to prevent the unlawful import of wildlife species?11 Nov 2020HANSARDRetail Sector: Covid-19What recent discussions he has had with representatives from the retail sector on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on that sector.10 Nov 2020HANSARDRetail Sector: Covid-19Retail sector employment is a huge part of employment in my constituency of Blaydon, from huge centres like the Metrocentre to independent retailers across the whole constituency.…10 Nov 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Ninth sitting)What these amendments seek to do, and what those witnesses were asking us and the Government to look at doing, is improve the Bill so that it better reflects the broader range of…22 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Tenth sitting)A number of our witnesses, including Hilary Meredith of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, talked about the lack of support for veterans. If someone is still serving in the armed forces…22 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Ninth sitting)As the Minister is arguing that there is sufficient protection within the law, can he explain the difference in the views taken by very many of the witnesses we saw in the first…22 Oct 2020HANSARD Free School MealsThis is a hugely important debate for many families in my constituency and across the north-east and the country. I applaud Marcus Rashford for his hard work in raising this…21 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Seventh sitting)To reflect on the words of my right hon. Friend the Member for North Durham, this schedule includes, as we know, only the exclusion of sexual offences. Given the concern raised by…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Seventh sitting)rose—20 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateEarlier, the Prime Minister said that he was still talking to the north-east. May I reiterate that, in the north-east, we believe that we should remain in tier 2 and are working…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Eighth sitting)We heard evidence from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers about the fact that too many former service personnel do not understand that they can bring a claim against the…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Eighth sitting)I can understand the Minister’s concerns about some of the comments, but the Royal British Legion exists to protect people who have served in the forces. That is one of their key…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Eighth sitting)My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct. That is why it is important that this part of the Bill be either substantially amended to protect the rights of veterans, or perhaps…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Eighth sitting)I, too, will not occupy too much of the Committee’s time, but I want to raise the issue of the impact on the ability of veterans and serving personnel to bring claims. Yesterday,…20 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Seventh sitting)I understand the point the Minister is making about protecting service people and about spurious claims, but there are also genuine claims of torture that really deserve to be…20 Oct 2020