Contributions
953 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThe Bill is welcome and, obviously, complex. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government will see it through to the end, and will he confirm that this legislative…09 Nov 2022HANSARDEngagementsMy right hon. Friend and I both represent rural constituencies and he will know the difficulty in securing both NHS dentistry and GPs in rural areas. We on this side of the House…02 Nov 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]My hon. Friend, as always, is absolutely right. Just as the Welsh language is not owned by Plaid Cymru or Welsh nationalists, so neither is the Irish language so owned. I think it…26 Oct 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman enjoys all of those things that he has set out to the Committee that relate to the Irish language, but that was not the point I was making.…26 Oct 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]May I say very politely to the hon. Gentleman that I have had conversations with the Minister of State about the Bill. My hon. Friend understands the Bill and the issues…26 Oct 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon). I was not intending to speak in this debate, but I suddenly realised that I probably owed the Committee a…26 Oct 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]Of course, I give way not only to a distinguished former Minister, but to the newest member of my Committee.26 Oct 2022HANSARDIdentity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]The hon. Gentleman misconstrues what I am saying. My support for the Bill is not based upon the fact that the Minister is an hon. Friend in party political terms. I heard the hon.…26 Oct 2022HANSARD Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillI am told that the Chiltern hundreds are beautiful at this time of year.25 Oct 2022HANSARD Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillToo long!25 Oct 2022HANSARD Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas BillFirst of all, may I thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, a long-standing friend, for how he has approached today’s debate? The assurances he has given to the House…19 Oct 2022HANSARD Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas BillThe Secretary of State used the word “veto”, not objection, so there is no business of appeals or anything else. If the local community vetoes it, it is dead—strangled, kaput.19 Oct 2022HANSARD Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas BillCould my right hon. Friend confirm, for clarity’s sake, that the moratorium will remain in place while the process of consultation is agreed and that it will remain in place until…19 Oct 2022HANSARD Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas BillThe right hon. Gentleman is making a compelling case against fracking with which I fully agree. Does he agree with me that, for all the potential downsides he has referenced,…19 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic Responsibility and a Plan for GrowthI warmly welcome my right hon. Friend to his place. He has used the word “pragmatism.” The shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury was on the money with regard to the folly of…19 Oct 2022HANSARD Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas BillIn fairness, the Secretary of State is trying to address the serious concern that he knows exists on these Benches, and many of us are grateful to him for that. I think he said…19 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic UpdateI welcome my right hon. Friend to his place and breathe a sigh of relief at the grown-up and sensible approach he has taken to the issues at hand. I also echo the remarks of my…17 Oct 2022HANSARDCost of Living IncreasesMy right hon. Friend the Minister of State will know that the cost of living will continue to be exacerbated by the absence of Stormont and a functioning Executive. Protocol…07 Sept 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI want to add to the hope of my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Baron), if it is of any help. To the best of my knowledge, conversations are taking place…29 Jun 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI am hugely grateful to the Minister. Any of us could do it, but on behalf of everyone who has spoken on the issue, I thank the Minister, the Secretary of State and the shadow…29 Jun 2022