Contributions
152 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseGood morning, Mr Speaker. Two weeks ago, my right hon. Friend promised to chase up local government Ministers for failing to answer my questions about the consultation in…01 Jul 2021HANSARD Business of the HouseMy right hon. Friend knows, as we all do, about the patience of King Alfred: he had to wait 25 years before the Danes stopped bothering us. I sincerely hope that Ministers will…17 Jun 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Secretary of State is fully aware that we have an issue at the moment with customs. West Somerset Garden Centre in Minehead, which is at the far end of most supply chains, is…17 Jun 2021HANSARD Business of the HouseI think, Mr Speaker, it’s a case of howzat. My right hon. Friend may have received, as I did, a letter from the leader of Somerset County Council, which was sent to every…20 May 2021HANSARDDebate on the AddressI am delighted to take part in this debate, because today—as you probably know, Madam Deputy Speaker—is Somerset Day, an event of such historical insignificance that it took a…11 May 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI wonder whether the Chancellor would order an investigation into the management of contracts between Skanska and Somerset County Council. There is evidence emerging of lazy…27 Apr 2021HANSARD Business of the HouseThank you, Mr Speaker. My right hon. Friend and I are both committed democrats who believe that the voice of the people always deserves to be heard. In the Somerset County Council…22 Apr 2021HANSARDLocal Referendums: Local Government ReorganisationI hear what the hon. Gentleman says and I do not disagree at all, but we have a problem in this country when a body like Somerset County Council, which wants to go unitary, has…22 Apr 2021HANSARDLocal Referendums: Local Government ReorganisationWhat assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the potential merits of using local referendums to inform local government reorganisation.22 Apr 2021HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillI am absolutely delighted to take part in this debate and also to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Virginia Crosbie). We share a nuclear power station. I look…19 Apr 2021HANSARD Business of the HouseMy right hon. Friend and I share an enormous respect and affection for the great King Alfred, who defeated the Vikings against all the odds. Does he agree that victory would never…15 Apr 2021HANSARDLobbying of Government CommitteeI am delighted to take part in this debate. This debate was called by the Opposition, I suppose one could say, to smear the Government by attacking a former Prime Minister.…14 Apr 2021HANSARDAdvanced Research and Invention Agency BillFor the next hour, I will enthuse you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Seriously though, the Bill has an enormous amount going for it. It is a good Bill with a lot in it that I feel very…23 Mar 2021HANSARDCommonwealth Day 2021Thank you very much indeed, Mr Paisley. This has been a great debate, and I thank all my colleagues for their incredible kindness to the CPA. I wish you well, Mr Paisley, and…16 Mar 2021HANSARDCommonwealth Day 2021Thank you, Mr Paisley, and may I thank you once again for all your help with the CPA? I also thank the Minister. He has been very self-deprecating, but he was an extremely good…16 Mar 2021HANSARDCommonwealth Day 2021I beg to move, That this House has considered Commonwealth Day 2021. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Paisley. I want to thank you personally for the work…16 Mar 2021HANSARDBudget Resolutions and Economic SituationI have given the Chancellor an enormous amount of praise during this crisis and for this Budget, but I offer him a few words of caution. He and I have crossed swords only once,…08 Mar 2021HANSARDVauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Battery Manufacturing StrategyThe Secretary of State is fully aware of the remarkable site we have down here in Somerset at Gravity, where we could put not only a megafactory but a battery factory. We would…01 Mar 2021HANSARD Coronavirus: Supporting Businesses and IndividualsMost of my constituents, regardless of party, are impressed by the generosity of the Government in meeting the costs of covid-19, but they would find it impossible, across the…23 Feb 2021HANSARDEngagementsMr Speaker, thank you as always. I am delighted my right hon. Friend is defending democracy by pushing ahead with local elections, but here in the land of King Alfred the people…10 Feb 2021