Contributions
511 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)That is fine. I knew as soon as I opened my mouth.05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move amendment 99, in clause 74, page 42, line 24, after “monitor” insert “and audit”. This amendment would require the ORR to monitor and audit GBR’s statutory functions.05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Eleventh sitting)The Government Whip referred to this as the “meaty” group, so we may be here for a while. That is fine; we have plenty of time. Clause 60 requires GBR to set out how, in its view,…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)I have indicated that we want to press amendment 99 to a Division. Question put, That the amendment be made.05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)The Minister just said that the amendments are completely unnecessary, because the stated concerns are not real, effectively. That does not answer the very real concerns put…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Eleventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 78, in clause 60, page 34, line 14, at end insert— “(4A) When preparing, revising or replacing the document or documents Great British Railways must…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)Clauses 76 to 79 change the current duties on the ORR, the Secretary of State and Scottish and Welsh Ministers to maintain a register, in sections 72 to 73B of the Railways Act…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)I think he probably would have said it, to be perfectly honest. Clause 73 marks the end of a very significant chapter in the Bill, with many poorly drafted or simply ill thought…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Eleventh sitting)I think I have said everything I want to say, but we would like to press amendment 79 and then amendment 217 to a vote. Question put, That the amendment be made.05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)Clause 75 prevents the ORR from issuing directions to GBR relating to providing, improving or developing railway facilities. It also prevents the ORR from imposing a fine on GBR…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)Amendment 254 is good in so far as it goes in relation to rail freight, but other rail operators also provide public benefit and should receive a similar level of protection. The…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Eleventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 79, in clause 59, page 33, line 19, at end insert “in addition to a subsequent right to appeal to the ORR”. This amendment would enable a subsequent right…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)Clause 74 amends the Railways Act 1993. It gives the ORR a new function to monitor GBR’s delivery of its statutory functions and carry out investigations where appropriate to…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the Minister for that. Yes, absolutely; I believe our amendments are much more about the infrastructure that GBR has responsibility for and about operators not having to…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Eleventh sitting)I agree with my hon. Friend. I alluded to that issue earlier in my comments, and my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham raised it on Tuesday. That is why we are…05 Feb 2026HANSARD Construction Industry Training Board: FundingDoes the hon. Member agree that losing the skills and expertise of local training groups, such as the Plymouth Construction Training Group, which was formed in 1977 and has been…04 Feb 2026HANSARD Construction Industry Training Board: FundingI welcome the funding that the Minister has just outlined. Reference has been made to mayoral strategic authorities, but vast parts of the country do not have one yet and are…04 Feb 2026HANSARDOther CorrectionUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill The following extract is from the Second Reading of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill on 03 Feb 2026.04 Feb 2026HANSARDOther CorrectionMany of us on the Opposition Benches grew up on benefits. I am one of those people, and I was in fact worse off when the Labour Government came into power in 1997; they scrapped…04 Feb 2026HANSARDOther CorrectionMany of us on the Opposition Benches grew up on benefits. I am one of those people, and I was in fact worse off when the Labour Government came into power in 1997; they scrapped…04 Feb 2026