Contributions
4,038 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness of the HouseGeographical indicators are a matter of considerable controversy, with some people arguing very strongly for Yorkshire rhubarb, and others concerned about Stilton cheese. My hon.…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIf I did agree to a debate I would probably upset the various forces that exist, but I will say, as I have said before in this House, that the CSA and its successor body have, in…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe Chairman of the Backbench Business Committee is nodding, and I think his Committee would be a very good starting point.30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI can give satisfaction to half of my hon. Friend’s question, but not to the full part. I am delighted to congratulate the Oarsome Foursome on their fantastic achievement and…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI am not sure that I accept the entire premise of that question, but next Wednesday there will be a debate in Opposition time on local government finance, and on Wednesday 12…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseCommittees are in the process of being set up, and the Government and House authorities have done well in doing that pretty swiftly. The Liaison Committee will follow in…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe hon. Gentleman is a doughty champion for his constituents and he is right to raise the issue of knife crime, which is troubling, particularly in London, as he rightly says.…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThat is not a decision made by the Government. The House of Commons decided to allow an independent body—the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority—to make the decision. My…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseAnything relating to pensions is extremely important. A pensions Bill will be introduced in the House of Lords fairly soon, so these matters will be discussed on the Floor of the…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy right hon. Friend is one of the most well-informed and distinguished figures in this House on matters of defence, and he served with considerable distinction as Chairman of the…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe hon. Lady raises a matter that is no doubt of concern to many MPs when these charges come through. There are Home Office questions on Monday 10 February, and I would encourage…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI reiterate the point I made earlier: there is a £220 million fund to transform our bus services through the national bus strategy, which is a significant amount of money, but the…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI never criticise the Church of England as I am not a member of it. In the Catholic Church these subjects are not a matter for debate—we merely get told by the hierarchy, which…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe hon. Gentleman raises a concerning issue, and all constituency MPs worry on behalf of their constituents when operations are cancelled. That cancellation has happened seven…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThat issue is raised regularly at these sessions, and my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury is meeting a number of Members of Parliament to discuss it. The closure…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMy hon. Friend makes a good point that not everybody is online, and I commend him for the campaign with which he has been so closely involved. That is a model for how MPs ought to…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI cannot guarantee the next one as I do not have that authority. That is a matter for NHS England, rather than for the Secretary of State, and it is certainly not a responsibility…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThere is regular opportunity to question Ministers at departmental question times and in a succession of debates. There were indeed regional Select Committees, but as far as I am…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe hon. Gentleman raises an important and interesting point. Opticians can, through eye tests, find out important things about people’s more general health. That is part of the…30 Jan 2020HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI cannot really add much to what I said to the hon. Lady the last time. A review is being carried out. This is a matter of great concern to constituents across the country, and…30 Jan 2020