Contributions
450 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI have been campaigning for a long time on the reinstatement of tax-free shopping for foreign visitors, particularly those from Europe. Recent evidence from business suggests that…09 Sept 2025HANSARDBorders and AsylumI note that the Appeal Court judges in last Thursday’s judgment were using article 8 of the European convention on human rights as a reason for the interim injunction on the Bell…01 Sept 2025HANSARD Independent Water CommissionI warmly welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that he is going to merge all four water regulators into one. However, I offer a slight note of caution: it is no good…21 Jul 2025HANSARDAfghanistanI commend the Secretary of State for the calm and sensible way in which he has announced the change in Government policy today. I can already announce to the House that, since the…15 Jul 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorMy hon. Friend has made the case eloquently, and I have also made it. The Minister will have heard and, hopefully, she might have something positive to say when she responds to…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorMy right hon. Friend must have read my mind; when I come on to submarines, I will mention that very factor of inflation in defence costs. The MOD is being reorganised into four…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorI deliberately included a little bit about recruitment and retention in my speech. There will, I think, be a tension between the armaments director and the Chief of the Defence…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorI cannot tell what is on the Government’s mind, but maybe the Minister will be able to tell us. However, given that the SDR makes it perfectly clear that they want to increase the…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI welcome the Minister for Defence Procurement’s announcement. This is welcome news for our country. Given that in-service dates for key pieces of military equipment are often…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorLet me begin by thanking you, Madam Deputy Speaker, Mr Speaker and the Backbench Business Committee for selecting this debate, which, if I may say so, is particularly appropriate…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorI thank the Minister for that positive contribution. Twenty-five years ago, when we sat next to each other in the Public Accounts Committee, passing each other notes and holding…25 Jun 2025HANSARDHS2 ResetI welcome the statement, and I do not disagree with a word of the Secretary of State’s analysis of what has gone wrong in the past. The Public Accounts Committee, which I have the…18 Jun 2025HANSARD Crime and Policing BillI rise to speak in support of new clause 41, which is in my name, and in the names of others. It is a very simple amendment that would require His Majesty’s Inspectorate of…18 Jun 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025The billions of pounds that have been announced by the Chancellor are very big rises, and the Public Accounts Committee looks forward to scrutinising that expenditure—I am sure it…11 Jun 2025HANSARD Israel and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesRestrictions on aid, fuel, food and even water in Gaza is inhumane and unacceptable. If the Minister cannot get a decision next week to recognise the state of Palestine, will he…10 Jun 2025HANSARDStrategic Defence ReviewThe Secretary of State has set out an ambitious strategic defence review. As soon as possible after the spending review next week, will he set out a defence investment plan in…02 Jun 2025HANSARDUK Nuclear DeterrentAs the Minister has mentioned it, as has my predecessor as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Dame Meg Hillier), it is now…02 Jun 2025HANSARD British SteelI take at face value what the Minister has said today about British Steel having a bright future. However, she did not mention any figures, other than a global figure of £2.5…22 Apr 2025HANSARDReoffending on ProbationBecause our prisons are running at about 98% capacity, not only are existing prisoners more likely to reoffend but, sadly, as we allow more prisoners to be released early, more…22 Apr 2025HANSARD Driving Licences: Zero Emission VehiclesIt is interesting, when sitting in the Chamber, to hear colleagues’ expertise on subjects that we did not know they had expertise in. I wish to draw my hon. Friend back to a…02 Apr 2025