Contributions
1,338 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Business of the HouseI join the hon. Lady in her comments and wish everyone who is going to attend at St Andrews well. Even the weather might be nice and not too windy in Scotland this weekend for the…14 Jul 2022HANSARD Business of the HouseNow then, first, let me pay tribute to my hon. Friend, as I know he is campaigning vigorously on this matter, and to Brian Lee—I hope he will get the resolution that he deserves.…14 Jul 2022HANSARD Business of the HouseThere are huge global challenges that face the United Kingdom at this moment in time. We have seen huge spikes in energy and food prices, which are, of course, bringing challenges…14 Jul 2022HANSARD Business of the HouseI hope the hon. Lady is aware that the Secretary of State for Transport has done a lot of work with the airlines to try to resolve the challenges that the industry faces this…14 Jul 2022HANSARD Business of the HouseThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that there was an urgent question on this matter last Thursday. The particular incident to which he refers was thoroughly debated at that time. We…14 Jul 2022HANSARDElectoral Commission: AppointmentsI beg to move, That the Committee has considered the motion, That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that Her Majesty will re-appoint Lord Gilbert of Panteg as…13 Jul 2022HANSARDElectoral Commission: AppointmentsNot as shocked as I was, to be honest. The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission has produced its second report of 2022 in respect of these appointments, which I am sure…13 Jul 2022HANSARDElectoral Commission: AppointmentsI am delighted to reassure the hon. Lady that the Electoral Commission is an independent regulatory body. It is actually not accountable to the Government; it is independent of…13 Jul 2022HANSARDElectoral Commission: AppointmentsThank you for that guidance, Mr Twigg. We are appointing three commissioners here, who are highly skilled and experienced. They will deliver their role with true independence and…13 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterOf course; it is absolutely vital. I hope that the hon. Lady will recognise that actually Notre Dame burned down—a terrible disaster—because workmen were in there. They had…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterThat clearly would be the ambition—to try and get on with that as soon as possible, but there is lots of other work that we can get on with in the meantime. For example, there is…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterWith the leave of the House, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to conclude by thanking all hon. Members who have taken part in this interesting and at times robust debate. I hope…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterThe hon. Lady is right to draw attention to that. One of the fundamental problems is that, because restoration and renewal was on the horizon, what was happening was that a piece…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterThat message has been well and truly received, and I am grateful for the contributions that have reinforced it. We have heard about the depth of affection that working in this…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterI am happy to confirm that to the hon. Gentleman, who I know has taken a great interest in this project. It is important to be clear with the House today that taking the Sponsor…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterOf course.12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterWhere my hon. Friend is right is that it is a little bit like the Forth Bridge, in that there will always be something that will need to be maintained, protected or made safe. In…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterI beg to move, That this House: reaffirms its commitment to preserving the Palace of Westminster for future generations and ensuring the safety of all those who work in and visit…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterI will come to that, but the hon. Lady is absolutely right. What we need to do is get on with this project and stop dilly-dallying, which is why the direction of travel was not as…12 Jul 2022HANSARD Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of WestminsterI honestly think we can do both. I think we can get to an understanding and a place where, with expert advice, we can get value for taxpayers’ money, where we can progress this as…12 Jul 2022