Contributions
1,177 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for promoting me to Minister; I cannot wait for that to happen one day. I suspect that I will have more grey hair, and less hair. He is correct, and I…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)We really should not accept this party political broadcast. One million homes were built over the lifetime of the previous Parliament. Can the Minister explain to the Committee…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 290, in schedule 17, page 193, line 2, at end insert— “7A After section 202, insert— ‘202A: restrictions on designation of greenfield land Where an MDC…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I understand where the Minister is coming from, and I am inclined not to press the amendment to a Division but to treat it as probing. She is aware that I have long advocated for,…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)Briefly, could the Minister elaborate on some of the consultation mechanisms that the strategic authority would use with the authorities that currently have the power? We…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I will speak briefly not only to clause 38 but to new clause 9 and new schedule 1. Although the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion has indicated that she does not wish to push…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)The way that people want their economy to go is to have growth, and for them to be able to pay their bills, feed their families and have good jobs. I say to the hon. Lady that any…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)The hon. Lady and I are veterans of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Committee. She is absolutely right to outline some of the comments made in that Committee, because that…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)The hon. Lady has made an excellent case, as she has done throughout the Bill Committee, for our excellent town and parish councils, which serve my constituency well. Does she…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)In the brief time that I have, I want to back the hon. Lady’s excellent points. Throughout the Bill Committee so far, town and parish councils, which deliver so much for our…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)Is there a clearer example than that of how this issue could contribute to the local growth plans that we are discussing? The legislation is being drafted at a time when the…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)I absolutely agree, because local parish councillors are experts in the areas that they represent—sometimes more so than district councillors or county councillors, because it is…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eighth sitting)It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dame Siobhain. I would not usually speak at this stage, but as the Minister did not outline why she does not believe that the Government…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eighth sitting)I am not sure whether it is parliamentary to say that I am attempting to mislead the Committee. He corrected himself, so I will not take offence.21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eighth sitting)I know I am, Dame Siobhain. I cut my teeth against you in Mitcham and Morden in 2015, and I was required to be of strong stuff to try to beat you. I do not believe that the hon.…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eighth sitting)I welcome amendment 359, moved by the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon. She outlined a number of issues that she faces in her rural constituency—the land of Shakespeare—where…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eighth sitting)We were going to have a break, but then we did not when you came in, so it is fine.21 Oct 2025HANSARD Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillReports today suggest that China and India are entering into negotiations to sign leases to islands surrounding those on which British military operations will continue under the…20 Oct 2025HANSARD Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillDoes the right hon. Member share my dismay that, despite a Government majority of over 170 and the fact that there are over 400 Government MPs, on an issue of national security…20 Oct 2025