Contributions
195 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Drug Treatment ServicesWill the hon. Lady give way?16 Jul 2019HANSARD Drug Treatment ServicesOn the reform of drug laws, we probably have a lot in common, but today’s shocking figures show that the number of drug deaths in Scotland is not only three times the average of…16 Jul 2019HANSARD Climate Change, the Environment and Global DevelopmentThe hon. Lady mentioned the impact of Brexit. I am not trying to rehash the Brexit debate here, although we probably would have been on the same side. The Paris climate accord…10 Jul 2019HANSARD High Speed 2I share the right hon. Gentleman’s aspirations, but for Scotland. To meet the UK-wide net zero carbon targets we have set for 2050, we need to make sure that these new rail lines…10 Jul 2019HANSARD Climate Change, the Environment and Global DevelopmentI apologise for not having been in the Chamber earlier; I had to attend a Westminster Hall debate. The hon. Lady mentioned the privatisation of the green investment bank. Will she…10 Jul 2019HANSARD High Speed 2One of my constituents, who was recognised as a whistleblower on HS2 and was featured on the “Panorama” programme, cited several problems with the assumptions used in the original…10 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersThat is exactly my point. It is one of the main reasons I wanted to have this debate. Again, it is one thing to criticise on social media, but another to write letters to a paper…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersIt feels wrong to bash the SNP when its Members are not here to respond, but this is another clear example of the SNP putting the nationalist interest above the national interest.…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersI would not be so bold as to speak on behalf of the SNP—I do not think the party would like it. I can theorise that the SNP has not prepared for some of those powers and is not…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersI thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I could not agree more. What I cannot understand is the clamour and constant push for powers from the SNP, who have been saying,…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersI wish SNP Members were here to say how they would meet those responsibilities. I will not speak on behalf of the Scottish Labour party or the Scottish Liberal Democrats, but we…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersIn short, no. We should use the borrowing powers that we already have. The SNP Administration underspent by a reported £450 million in the last year; that shows that the proper…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersI beg to move, That this House has considered borrowing powers for devolved administrations. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Gary. I thank the House for…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersThe hon. Gentleman will have seen at first hand the impact of some of those cuts in his constituency, just as I have seen their impact on frontline services in mine. No Government…09 Jul 2019HANSARD Devolved Administrations: Borrowing PowersI could not agree more. The whole point of being an MP is that we put people before politics. I have certainly been critical of my Government on issues of spending—I know my hon.…09 Jul 2019HANSARDWhistleblowingMy hon. Friend is making a very relevant point, and it applies to my constituent who suffered reputational damage following his whistleblowing about the High Speed 2 project. I am…03 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsT6. I established a universal credit action group in my constituency to track local progress and add performance indicators to see how the roll-out is going in Clackmannanshire.…01 Jul 2019HANSARDNHS Long-Term Plan: ImplementationTomorrow I shall attend the funeral of my Auntie Bib, who has just died of cancer. It was discovered at quite a late stage. May I press my right hon. Friend to ensure that rapid…01 Jul 2019HANSARD Business of the HouseThis year marked the 75th anniversary of D-day. It also marked another anniversary—that of the Great Escape, during which 50 prisoners of war were murdered by the Gestapo. One of…27 Jun 2019HANSARD EU Structural Funds: Least Developed RegionsThe hon. Gentleman makes a point about European funding being replaced by UK funding. If funding does come from the UK rather than the EU in future, will he commit to all projects…26 Jun 2019