Contributions
136 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Army ReserveMy right hon. Friend is exactly right, and I fear that, at times, we have acted as if we seem to be taking them for granted, which we absolutely must not do. One of the best ways…02 Feb 2022HANSARD Army ReserveI very much agree. The hon. Gentleman made the point that Northern Ireland has contributed disproportionately to the reserves. I should declare that when I did my final passing…02 Feb 2022HANSARD Army ReserveIt is a great pleasure to have this Adjournment debate on the Army Reserve. I asked for this because I am concerned that a yawning gap is opening up between the laudable ambitions…02 Feb 2022HANSARD Army ReserveOn that point, the concern is that if there are no genuine command roles for junior reserve officers, the Minister will devastate the future recruitment for junior officers. They…02 Feb 2022HANSARDDowning Street Parties: Police InvestigationDoes the Paymaster General agree that compared with being interviewed under caution for flogging peerages, as Tony Blair was, trying to prosecute a former First Minister of…25 Jan 2022HANSARDZero-emission BusesWill Ministers make time to visit Equipmake, a fast-growing specialised manufacturer of batteries for electric buses—which began as a start-up at the excellent Hethel innovation…16 Dec 2021HANSARDNAO Report: Financial Sustainability of SchoolsIn November, the National Audit Office produced an important report examining the financial sustainability of schools in England, which complemented its report on school funding…09 Dec 2021HANSARDNAO Report: Financial Sustainability of SchoolsIt is very possible that it does. Most maintained schools and academy trusts have been in surplus, but there have been significant pressures on some maintained secondary schools.…09 Dec 2021HANSARDHomes: Climate StandardsThere is very clear evidence that people who commission their own houses do so to much higher environmental standards, thus doing their own bit to protect against climate change.…29 Nov 2021HANSARDOffice for Veterans’ AffairsIs the Minister aware that veterans are disproportionately likely to be homeless? Will he undertake to work with the new Secretary of State for Housing to ensure that veterans…23 Sept 2021HANSARDNAO Report on Local Government and Net Zero: Government ResponseThe National Audit Office produced an important report recently considering how effectively central Government and local authorities in England are collaborating on net zero. The…22 Jul 2021HANSARDNAO Report on Local Government and Net Zero: Government ResponseAs my hon. Friend will know, the Public Accounts Committee approves the NAO’s strategy and budgets and does not involve itself in individual reports, but he will also know that…22 Jul 2021HANSARDDefence Equipment Plan: NAO ReportI congratulate my hon. Friend on his assiduous following of this issue. He asked me about it in September last year, after the National Audit Office report on Carrier Strike. We…21 Jan 2021HANSARDDefence Equipment Plan: NAO ReportThe National Audit Office produced an important report examining the Ministry of Defence’s assessment of the affordability of the equipment plan for 2020 to 2030 and the…21 Jan 2021HANSARDCarrier Strike ReportThe National Audit Office produced an important report in June, examining the Ministry of Defence’s management of carrier strike and how it is addressing the risks involved in…10 Sept 2020HANSARDCarrier Strike ReportMy hon. Friend raises the question of the progress, or lack of progress, made around issues such as the radar system and developing the support ships required. He will be pleased…10 Sept 2020HANSARDUK Food ProducersWhat recent steps he has taken to promote UK food producers.19 May 2020HANSARDUK Food ProducersGiven that there is already mandatory country of origin labelling for fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, wine, honey, olive oil and beef, does the Secretary of State agree that now is…19 May 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Date of EligibilityI would hate to be thought of as responsible for starting a new trend by actually answering the question, but as I mentioned in my initial response, the NAO is soon to publish…19 May 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Date of EligibilityThe National Audit Office’s work programme is ultimately determined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and it is regularly reviewed to ensure that it reflects current issues.…19 May 2020