Contributions
270 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)Once one has turned 66, that person does not have to confirm their age each and every couple of days or necessarily carry ID to claim their state pension—it is noted on the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)To build on that point, it is also important that we have clarity from a legal and enforcement perspective. The person who commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to a…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)Obviously, if someone is liable for a conviction or a fine, the defence is that they took all reasonable steps to avoid the commission. Given that in this instance we are talking…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)To take a step back, I am still not satisfied that I understand, in practice, what the defence for someone to prove that they were shown ID means in practice? Perhaps that will…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)On that point, the concept of having an age verification policy so that all retailers know what to do in these situations is not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Third sitting)I understand the point about the potential complexities, but there is a risk on enforcement that whenever anyone goes to buy cigarettes in the future, they will have to have some…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Third sitting)Just to play devil’s advocate, there will be some who will say that they have a cigar from time to time, and that will be caught by this legislation. Cigars are not used in the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Third sitting)On that point, according to Cancer Research, about nine in 10 people start smoking before the age of 21. Surely, if we increase that to 25, by default we are preventing more…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourth sitting)I want to put on record that I concur with much of what my hon. Friend the Member for Farnham and Bordon said, particularly about vapes. My hesitation so far has always related to…09 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (First sitting)Q I want to follow up on that point, because clause 12 of the Bill will actually include a ban on vending machines for vaping, but I know that there have been mental health trusts…07 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (First sitting)Q You mentioned that 88% of the population do not smoke, and the numbers are now declining. Can I ask why you supported a generational ban as opposed to raising the age from 18 to…07 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (First sitting)My mother has some shareholdings in British American Tobacco, but that links to my parents’ having worked for Imperial Tobacco 50 years ago.07 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Second sitting)Q To build on a point my hon. Friend the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham made a moment ago, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation has indicated in some of the information it sent…07 Jan 2025HANSARDFloodingAcross my constituency, be it in Grendon or Bugbrooke, flood warnings come hours after the flood events have occurred. What action will the Minister take to ensure that flood…06 Jan 2025HANSARD Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords]It is absolutely right and correct that we debate these measures to improve the water industry. In the light of continued concerns over Thames Water and Southern Water, action…16 Dec 2024HANSARD Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords]Not just yet. No monitoring does not mean that water is clean, as the Secretary of State seemed to suggest. One must be faithful to the facts. We will support this Bill’s Second…16 Dec 2024HANSARD Business of the HouseMembers may recall that large parts of Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire were flooded after heavy rainfall in September, including Grendon in my constituency. Will the Leader of…28 Nov 2024HANSARD Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillThe Carrdus school in my constituency is a small private school—it is not an Eton and it is not a Harrow—but it has already announced that it may be forced to close mid-academic…25 Nov 2024HANSARDRural AffairsOver 52,000 hectares of the land in South Northamptonshire is agricultural—equivalent to more than 35,000 football pitches—so rural issues are at the heart of my constituency. I…11 Nov 2024HANSARDIncome Tax (Charge)This is a Budget of broken promises. Some 88% of my constituency is agricultural land. The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief will effectively be…04 Nov 2024