Contributions
1,690 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Security Bill (Tenth sitting)Will the hon. Member give way?06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Tenth sitting)On a point of order, Mr Gray. The Whip has had time to clarify whether we still have a Security Minister—yes or no. My hon. Friend the Member for Garston and Halewood was clear…06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)This is not just an ordinary Bill. Although every Bill should be important, the idea that we are again delaying a Bill on our national security troubles me, as does the way in…06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)I give way to my hon. Friend.06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)Mr Gray, I will come back to the point like a boomerang, as you know I always do. My hon. Friend makes a good point. That is the other side to the Bill. Foreign agent registration…06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)It is important that we have time to do that. We lose two sittings today and are supposed to finish next Tuesday. That also depends on when a new Minister is appointed. I assume…06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)Halewood, sorry; I am getting mixed up. I do not know who I have insulted most—Members for the west midlands or Members for Merseyside. The Minister is still in post, so why is he…06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Ninth sitting)Object. Ordered, That further consideration be now adjourned . —(Scott Mann.)06 Sept 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)I understand what the Minister is saying, but I have a real problem with this; I think the Government are opening up an argument for lawyers who want to defend people. Obviously,…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)I am grateful for that clarification, but what happens if someone gets a negative polygraph test and has actually broken their STPIM? Surely it will be used as an evidential test,…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)I hear what the Minister is saying and I think it is important, but would it be possible for him to write to the Committee when he has given the matter a bit more thought? The…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)I support the measures because they are an extra weapon in the armoury to fight against hostile state intervention in this country. Clearly, the arguments about the level to which…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)On a point of order, Mr Gray. I wrote to Mr Speaker about new clause 6, which was tabled in my name, to ask whether it was in order. I understand that that the decision was then…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)I did, actually—I am very grateful to the Minister. He has set my mind running in terms of the possible uses of the measures. There is open-source evidence of the intimidation of…19 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Seventh sitting)Further to that point of order, Mr Gray. I thank you and Ms Ali for your consideration of the new clause. Clause 27 Interpretation Question proposed, That the clause stand part of…19 Jul 2022HANSARDDefence JobsThe Defence Secretary has just said that social value will be taken into consideration when awarding contracts. I have asked numerous parliamentary questions of the Department to…18 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Sixth sitting)The Minister has just said that the reasonableness test has not been used. The Attorney General would also have to get over that bar. Alongside that sits the old consolidated…14 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Sixth sitting)Will the Minister give way?14 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Sixth sitting)The other safeguard in this area is surely that if there were to be any prosecution of an agency staff member or a member of the armed forces, the Attorney General would also have…14 Jul 2022HANSARDNational Security Bill (Sixth sitting)That is very welcome, but we do not just want that in writing—we want to have the agency heads actually come and speak. I think we have a meeting with them scheduled for some time…14 Jul 2022