Contributions
2,215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentNot at this time. Housing Secretaries of all parties naturally come into contact with those involved in housing, by which I do not simply mean developers; I mean councils, housing…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentNo. He raised the development and invited me on a site visit. I informed him that it would not be appropriate to discuss the matter, and the conversation moved on to other topics.…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will come back to the hon. Gentleman, but first let me make some progress. For the benefit of the House, I take this opportunity to outline the facts of the case. As Members…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentLet me just make some progress, if I may. It is on public record that in November 2019, during the general election campaign, I was invited to a Conservative party event. This is…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI welcome the opportunity to address the House today on this matter. I will write to the Chair of the Select Committee on Housing, Communities and Local Government, the hon.…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will in just a moment, but I want to make a bit more progress, because it is important to set out the facts. In the past three years, 14 substantive decisions have been made by…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will give way in a moment to the hon. Gentleman, but he could let me even begin my remarks, if he is truly interested in what I have to say. I will write to the Chair of the…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks Developmentindicated dissent.24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentWill the hon. Lady give way?24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentThe hon Gentleman is completely incorrect in that respect. First, a lot of documents are already in the public domain, and I will come on to discuss that. The reasons for my…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentIt will include most of that information, subject only to the benchmark of the Freedom of Information Act, which I have just described. I think that is the right approach, and it…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentThere is nothing rotten in my Department. I have some of the best officials in Whitehall, with whom I am extremely proud to work. The hon. Lady cannot have it both ways. If she…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I do not think they actually want to hear an explanation. We only have to look to London, which faces some of the most acute housing pressures in…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will give way to the hon. Lady, and then I must make progress.24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will in a moment. This, I remind the House, is the council that has the highest housing deficit in England, according to the housing delivery test. Given Tower Hamlets’ failure…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentIt is not a deflection to talk about Tower Hamlets Council because in all likelihood this decision would never have been made by the Secretary of State if Tower Hamlets Council…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will just make some more progress, then I will come back to the hon. Lady. In July 2018, Westferry Developments submitted a planning application for a large development…24 Jun 2020HANSARDRough SleepingToday I am announcing a further £105 million for local authorities to enable them to support and accommodate rough sleepers. At the outset of the covid-19 pandemic, the Government…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will not; I am closing now. This Government are determined to build the homes the country needs. We are determined to end rough sleeping, as the House will see today from the…24 Jun 2020HANSARDWestferry Printworks DevelopmentI will give way one more time, but let me make this point first. I cannot say at this point which Minister will take this matter forward. We will ensure that it is someone who has…24 Jun 2020