Contributions
145 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the EUI support the Prime Minister’s deal. I want us to get a deal. But I am looking very closely at this motion, which includes the words: “support for the approach to leaving the EU…14 Feb 2019HANSARDNissan in SunderlandA matter of minutes before I came to hear this statement, I had the wife of a car worker on the telephone and she was very distressed by the threat to her husband’s job. Does the…04 Feb 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsT7. Will the Chancellor give a firm commitment that debts owed to major Departments such as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions will fall…29 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018My hon. Friend is quite right. As a fellow west midlander, he will know that many of us had a personal handwritten letter, or an original email, about the impact—the human cost—on…29 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018I am short of time now, so I ask my hon. Friend to allow me to continue. As no deal looms, just think of the human cost. Hundreds of young people like the single mums on my…29 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018It is always a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), who spoke with great wisdom and clarity, as always. A no-deal Brexit would have not just a…29 Jan 2019HANSARDProtection of Historic Church BuildingsThe Church of England opens as many churches as it closes—there is often a misunderstanding about that—and whether people come to worship or to visit the historical artefacts,…17 Jan 2019HANSARDProtection of Historic Church BuildingsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. The Church would direct him, his churches and others with historical churches facing the threat of metal theft, towards a Home Office…17 Jan 2019HANSARDProtection of Historic Church BuildingsMy hon. Friend has a real gem in the form of a beautiful Anglo-Saxon church— St Andrews, Greensted—which, despite the fact that it does not have a metal roof, has suffered these…17 Jan 2019HANSARDProtection of Historic Church BuildingsThe Church of England continues to suffer thefts of metal and other items of historical and architectural interest from its churches. The Archbishop’s Council conducted an inquiry…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: No DealThe Secretary of State is sorely missed this morning. I wanted to commend him for his barnstorming speech last night. Hon. Members and others like myself who represent farming…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansObviously the watch list is a useful guide to where the focus needs to be. The bishops take special interest in particular countries that are high up on that watch list. Bishops…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPromotion of MarriageThe hon. Gentleman has done the House a service in reminding all colleagues that that opportunity is open to them. I know that many Members have experienced wonderful family…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPromotion of MarriageThe most recent figures published by the Church of England show that in 2017 the Church conducted 41,000 marriages and services of prayer and dedication. The church wedding is…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPromotion of MarriageI think it is an excellent model. As one with children of marriageable age, I only wish we lived in the diocese that is making the offer, but perhaps it will catch on. I sincerely…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansThe Foreign Secretary has acted by bringing in a bishop—an independent person—to review the work of the Foreign Office in relation to the persecution of Christians abroad. Three…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansPakistan is very high up on the Open Doors watch list of countries where Christians suffer persecution. I am sure that like me, my hon. Friend will have heard the case of Asia…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansI am delighted to be able to tell the House that since the last set of Church Commissioners questions, the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) and I have paid a joint…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansNigeria is high up the Open Doors watch list of countries where Christians suffer persecution. I am sorry to say that in the past year 3,731 Christians were reported killed by the…17 Jan 2019HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansI am delighted to give my hon. Friend that assurance. I, too, was really shocked by the report presented in Parliament yesterday, which shows that 40 countries out of the 50 on…17 Jan 2019