Contributions
735 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBAE Systems Barrow IncidentOn 30 October 2024, there was a fire in a submarine construction facility, the Devonshire Dock Hall (DDH) at the submarine build yard run by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. The…30 Oct 2024HANSARDArmed Forces: Harassment and BullyingFirst, I thank the Minister for Defence People and Families for inviting me to visit the defence serious crime unit, which I did last Thursday. The people there are obviously…20 May 2024HANSARD DefenceMay I begin by welcoming the debate? As the hon. Members for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin) and for North Wiltshire (James Gray) said, we used to have more of these…07 May 2024HANSARD DefenceI accept that fact. If I said the next decade, that was not what I meant to say. The Public Accounts Committee has described the defence procurement system as “broken and…07 May 2024HANSARDArmed Forces PersonnelAs the former Defence Secretary, the right hon. Member for Wyre and Preston North (Mr Wallace), told the House last January, the Government have “hollowed out and underfunded” the…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsDefence procurement can strengthen UK sovereignty, security and economic growth. We on the Opposition Benches believe that defence investment should be directed first to UK…25 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillI am very glad to hear that, because it certainly gives her a better chance of making sure the Government do not go soft or slack when it comes to doing the necessary things to…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillHas the hon. Lady ever owned a ferret? If so, what was that ferret’s name?15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillMy hon. Friend is making an interesting contribution. From her research, has she any idea to what extent the regulations are enforced to crack down on ear cropping, which is…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillMy hon. Friend is making points that others have not made, so this is a very valuable contribution. Will she say something about how animals coming in that perhaps have not had…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillThe hon. Member is obviously very passionate about this issue. Does she have any thoughts about enforcement? There is widespread support around the House for the measures in the…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way on that point, because it was my private Member’s Bill that led to the 2000 Act. Although it was talked out on Report by then…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillThe hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech. Given his experience as a vet, to what extent does he think that enforcement is an issue? I think that there is widespread…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillWill my hon. Friend give way?15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillDoes my hon. Friend agree that many XL Bully dogs are imported illegally? That is one of the reasons why what she is saying is in order. I hope you agree, Mr Deputy Speaker.15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillI congratulate the hon. Member for North Devon (Selaine Saxby) on bringing the Bill forward and on coming up in the private Members’ Bill ballot. That is not easy—it has only…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillMy hon. Friend now has that on the record. I do not really know what else to say about that, except that I am sure that Oscar brought her brother great joy. That is what pets do.…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillMy hon. Friend is right to raise the procedural issues of the private Member’s Bill process being a threat to a Bill getting all the way through. Does he agree that because many…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillDoes my hon. Friend agree that cracking down, with proper enforcement, and having tough penalties that are enforced is a way of not only tackling this vile trade, but getting the…15 Mar 2024HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillDoes my hon. Friend agree that, if the Bill is to be a success, it is important that there are enforcement and punishment measures? Will he press the Minister, as I did, to be…15 Mar 2024