Contributions
4,038 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe Government have made enormous efforts to bring people back. The numbers involved are very large: 200,000 people have come back from Spain; 13,000 from Egypt; 6,000 from…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsI beg to move, That this House is committed to taking all steps necessary to balance its responsibilities for continuing scrutiny of the executive, legislating and representation…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsIf I may, I will answer the question in two ways. We are looking to expand the digital offering so that we can carry out more business, hence legislation next week. It depends on…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsThe same rules apply to us as they do to everyone else. That is the whole point of what we are trying to do—facilitating working remotely but trying to ensure social distancing in…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsI rise to speak to the motion on proceedings during the pandemic and, as you have explained, Mr Speaker, I will also speak to the motion on hybrid scrutiny proceedings. Mr…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsI think we must wait till tomorrow for tomorrow’s business, but I do expect further motions to be brought forward on how this House will operate and move forward to substantive…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseOn the question of a statement tomorrow, I have already mentioned that I believe it will be the Health Secretary who will be making a statement. The issue of PPE is important. It…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe motions being put down for tomorrow allow for an extension of the list of things that may be debated, and that will depend on how long we are in this situation; the longer we…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAll of us who are constituency MPs as well as Ministers are aware of these issues being raised by our constituents. My hon. Friend’s point about rates rolled up in rents is an…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAs I understand it, it is only available if second homes are genuinely used for businesses; if they are used for business purposes, the grant is available. That is fair and…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI should like to make a business statement, Mr Speaker. You have announced new arrangements for oral questions, urgent questions and statements in this House during the coming…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to praise those running Select Committees. Before we rose for Easter it was thought extremely difficult to allow Select Committees to meet…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsAs a general rule, it is wise to agree with the chairman of the 1922 Committee, and I am happy to say that on this occasion, I do agree with my hon. Friend. As the rest of the…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsVotes on abortion have always been free votes. It would be astonishing if that were to change, and I would not be in favour of that. Such motions come from an Act of Parliament…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsI was referring to the period of next week, when we expect the business to be business that will be agreed without a Division. We are looking to having remote voting, as my hon.…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that any system needs to work, to be robust and to ensure that votes are properly registered. On points of order, as raised by both the…21 Apr 2020HANSARDProceedings during the Pandemic and Hybrid Scrutiny ProceedingsWith the leave of the House, I shall try to respond to some of the points that were made in the debate. The shadow Leader of the House asked whether the time limit can be…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseFirst, on the easy question to answer, Northern Ireland questions will next be held on Wednesday 13 May, and that will be an opportunity to raise with the Secretary of State the…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe right hon. Lady was so right to mention, at the beginning of her statement, the dead and the grieving. We must pray for the souls of the dead, for the comfort of those who…21 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThis is a matter of the greatest importance and I will pass on my hon. Friend’s concerns to the Secretary of State. Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and…21 Apr 2020