Contributions
1,387 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlastic PollutionI know how passionately the hon. Lady feels about the issue—I do too—but we have to get it right. We are still analysing the responses to that call for evidence. Great care has to…23 Feb 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI very much enjoyed my educational visit to Fylde to understand the benefits of our flood spending. Even in low-lying areas, there are benefits of protecting the businesses, which…23 Feb 2023HANSARDSingle-use PlasticAs the right hon. Gentleman knows, I am always very keen to talk about these issues. Frankly, I believe this Government are doing a really great job in setting the direction of…23 Feb 2023HANSARDBathing Waters: EnglandTo be quite honest, one can swim wherever one wants; it is just that there is a process for what we call designating bathing waters. In the application for that, one has to…23 Feb 2023HANSARDBathing Waters: EnglandI do wear a wetsuit when I go swimming in the sea—I am a bit of a coward, but I love to put my wetsuit on and go swimming in the sea. As the hon. Gentleman knows, he will have to…23 Feb 2023HANSARDBathing Waters: EnglandThe list of designated bathing waters is updated annually, as I am sure the hon. Member knows. We will give updates for the new list in May.23 Feb 2023HANSARDPlastic PollutionI thank the hon. Lady for her question. On a similar note to my answer to the previous question, the resources and waste strategy sets out our plans to eliminate all avoidable…23 Feb 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs my hon. Friend points out, two different schemes are proposed. We have consulted widely, in particular with industry, and that is why we have taken the decision not to include…23 Feb 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt was the most enjoyable and informative visit that I took part in with my hon. Friend; I ask that he pass on my thanks to Farmer Rose. The visit demonstrated the value of…23 Feb 2023HANSARDSingle-use PlasticApologies, Mr Speaker; I was told that the right hon. Gentleman had withdrawn his question. We have banned single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers, and have recently…23 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceIf the hon. Gentleman had been listening earlier, he would have heard me say that we are consulting on plans to raise the cap on fines to £250 million, to make it quicker and…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceI have said constantly that it is unacceptable that storm sewerage overflows have been used in contravention of permits. Let us not forget, however, that they were put there for a…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceThe hon. Gentleman raises not only the issue of sewage but a whole range of issues. That is why the Environment Agency operates a permit system, why it has powers to take action…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceI thank my hon. Friend for those sensible points. To be honest, it is because of the monitoring this Government have put in place that we now know what is going on. Under the…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceIt is so easy to just stand there with no facts and no detailed information, and level an attack. I agree, as does the Secretary of State, that sewage in water, unacceptable…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceThere is already a comprehensive system of enforcement. As I said, we are now consulting on the £250 million potential cap and what might be the realistic cap, to really make a…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceI thank my hon. Friend for that point. In 2019, transparency became much more critical in Ofwat’s holding the water companies to account, because it had to agree, in the price…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceThe hon. Member forgets that since privatisation £120 billion has been invested by the water companies in the critical infrastructure that we need not only to provide clean and…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceThe hon. Gentleman has broadened the debate by talking about the water supply issue as a whole. The Government are looking closely at the issue of water efficiency, because we…21 Feb 2023HANSARDWater Company PerformanceFirst, I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Southampton North (Caroline Nokes) for bringing the matter of ensuring that water companies are performing adequately…21 Feb 2023