Contributions
1,597 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDReading in SchoolsDoes the Secretary of State accept that the use of phonics as the basis of teaching reading has been thoroughly vindicated?27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingIf Labour colleagues are going to insist on reiterating that the last time 2.5% of GDP was spent on defence it was by a Labour Government, I suppose I have to point out that the…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Russian Maritime Activity and UK ResponseIf Putin’s Russia is the greatest threat to peace in Europe, the second greatest threat must be any American decision to turn their back on NATO. Can the Secretary of State assure…22 Jan 2025HANSARDSouthport AttackI trust that the Home Secretary agrees that the courage shown by the dance teacher and the member of the public who intervened should be recognised appropriately. What troubles me…21 Jan 2025HANSARD Global Combat Air ProgrammeTornado, Typhoon and Tempest has a sort of ring to it. I understand why we are using the term GCAP, but its presentation leaves a lot to be desired. One reason is that it is so…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Office for Value for MoneyIt seems that the Chair of the Treasury Committee has come to the firm conclusion that the Office for Value for Money is itself not value for money. In carrying out her…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Women’s Changed State Pension Age: CompensationAt a rough count, there are in excess of 50 colleagues here from a range of parties. I hope every one of them pledges to join the all-party parliamentary group on state pension…15 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsI thank the Minister for a very positive recent meeting on an unrelated subject. Is the main problem here the detection of the incoming drones, or the ability to impede the…14 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsDo the Government deny that incoming President Trump is deeply hostile to the proposed Chagos Islands giveaway?14 Jan 2025HANSARDGas Storage LevelsCan I encourage the Minister to come out of combat mode for a second and consider a constructive proposal? If we are not to become re-dependent on gas when the wind does not blow…13 Jan 2025HANSARDDeveloping AI Capacity and Expertise in UK DefenceMilitary history books are full of examples of the difficulty that defence scientists had in selling their revolutionary ideas to military chiefs and civil servants. Given the…13 Jan 2025HANSARD Sudan: US Determination of GenocideSince we last discussed this horror on 29 October, I am not aware of any major news coverage of it. How is it that it goes so under-reported? Is it simply too dangerous for…13 Jan 2025HANSARD Live Events Ticketing: Resale and Pricing PracticesContinuing the Cyndi Lauper theme, I am sure the Minister agrees that we have to see these touts in their true colours. The fact is that they will try to find ways around these…13 Jan 2025HANSARDTackling Crime: Newcastle-under-LymeThank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister accept that it would greatly assist the police to investigate crime in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and indeed elsewhere, if they were not…13 Jan 2025HANSARDArtificial Intelligence Opportunities Action PlanI revert to the article in The Times mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Lincoln Jopp), headlined: “Rachel Reeves using AI to reply to Treasury…13 Jan 2025HANSARDArtificial Intelligence Opportunities Action PlanI beg your pardon, Madam Deputy Speaker. I did not want to misquote the headline. Nevertheless—as we now all know who she is—I discover that, instead of corresponding with her…13 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI applaud my hon. Friend for the point that she is making. I, too, have had representations from excellent home-schooling parents. Does she think that there is a way, with reason…08 Jan 2025HANSARD Pro-democracy Campaigners: ArrestsNo one should be surprised, as I have said before, when a communist totalitarian state behaves like a communist totalitarian state. Does the Minister agree that there is a little…07 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt sounds like the Government are not very keen to talk about Diego Garcia with President Trump, but when people as diverse as President Trump and Lord Neil Kinnock agree that…06 Jan 2025HANSARDFrozen Russian Assets: UkraineThe key point is the one made by my hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Dr Spencer) about the distinction between private assets—even such tainted ones as are held…06 Jan 2025