Contributions
812 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCoronavirusThe reality is that if the Government were defeated tonight, they would recall Parliament and put through the legislation to pass the necessary measures, and therefore they are…25 Mar 2021HANSARDVaccine TaskforceWhat lessons have been learned from the operation of the vaccine taskforce.23 Mar 2021HANSARDDefence and Security Industrial StrategyOn the fleet solid support ships, the announcement is of course enormously welcome, but why has it taken us—particularly my right hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr…23 Mar 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe answer earlier that the Government would respond to the appalling fire and rehire in due course is Whitehall-speak for kicking it into the long grass, and it is not good…23 Mar 2021HANSARDVaccine TaskforceAs the Secretary of State has rightly acknowledged, under his Department’s authorisation the vaccine taskforce has performed brilliantly, but it has needed a scientific and…23 Mar 2021HANSARDVaccine PassportsI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mike Hill) for the even and balanced way in which he introduced the debate. We should start with principles. The first is…15 Mar 2021HANSARDVaccine PassportsIs not one of the fundamental rights the ability to work? Huge numbers of our citizens are not able to work. Many have been made unemployed. Many are teetering on the edge because…15 Mar 2021HANSARDGreat Britain-Northern Ireland TunnelWhat discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the feasibility and viability of a tunnel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.03 Mar 2021HANSARDGreat Britain-Northern Ireland TunnelIn those discussions, could the Minister not get together with the Department for Transport and point out the huge cost, the geological problems and the inconvenient reality that…03 Mar 2021HANSARDBudget Resolutions and Economic SituationLet us be fair, this Budget does try to tackle some of the gross injustices that have plunged many families and small businesses into dire financial straits, often because they do…03 Mar 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Cultural and Entertainment SectorsThe right hon. Gentleman is right about that. If the vaccine certificate will assist, the Government should get a move on, rather than using the languid approach they are taking…02 Mar 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Cultural and Entertainment SectorsI want to refocus the debate slightly—on to the public, and the fundamental fact that the public want to get out and have fun. They have been cooped up for the best part of a…02 Mar 2021HANSARD Coronavirus: Supporting Businesses and IndividualsIf premises are physically covid secure, and their customers have vaccine certificates, why will the Government not let them open earlier?23 Feb 2021HANSARDCovid-19I fail to follow the logic of the hon. Gentleman that says he would rather the places stayed closed. I think it would be a rather good idea if venues were actually open, and…22 Feb 2021HANSARDCovid-19With all the delays that are built into the various stages of the statement, I think it is very unfortunate that the Prime Minister has not learned from the magnificent work…22 Feb 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhen asset-stripper Melrose was allowed to take over GKN, the then Secretary of State said that Melrose had to honour its commitments to stay UK-based. Now that it has torn that…09 Feb 2021HANSARDIntegrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign PolicyThe Chairman of the Defence Committee, with whom I am pleased to serve, mentioned the Atlantic Charter. I am very proud of the fact that that charter was brought in by the…09 Feb 2021HANSARD Business of the HouseLast month, post Brexit, I asked the House of Commons Commission to give preference to British suppliers. On 14 January it replied: “The Public Contract Regulations 2015 are UK…04 Feb 2021HANSARDRegisters of Births and Deaths Bill (First sitting)May I seek clarity about whether the right hon. Gentleman envisages that, under future regulations, people would be able to register online? Might that make the process more open…27 Jan 2021HANSARDRegisters of Births and Deaths Bill (First sitting)May I reinforce that point to the Minister? The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency moved to electronic registration and did away with the paper…27 Jan 2021