Contributions
272 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) BillWill my right hon. Friend give way on that point?03 Jul 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration Bill: Economic Impact AssessmentMay I again caution my right hon. Friend against the Gerald Ratner approach to Government policy? Will he answer this direct question: how long did it take on average to process…27 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid 19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewThe problem is that if Government business is conducted by means of WhatsApp, public inquiries will express an interest in reading what was transacted. My right hon. Friend is…05 Jun 2023HANSARD Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillThis is very bracing for a Thursday morning, and there is nothing I enjoy more than a good bunfight with a Secretary of State. I say gently that although many of us would have a…11 May 2023HANSARDList of Ministers’ Interests and Ministerial CodeIt surely cannot be beyond the wit of man, notwithstanding the constitutional differences between Members of Parliament and members of the Government, that some form of…24 Apr 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration UpdateMy right hon. Friend is one of the abler Ministers in the Home Office, so it makes sense for him to give this statement this afternoon. Is he, though, as concerned as I am about a…29 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesMy right hon. Friend is the antithesis of the Fat Controller, but may I thank him very much indeed for all his efforts in securing a satisfactory agreement with the unions…20 Mar 2023HANSARDBudget Resolutions and Economic SituationOn the earlier theme, it is important that I declare that I do not have a science degree, but it would impress the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Manchester…20 Mar 2023HANSARDBudget Resolutions and Economic SituationIndeed, indeed. Whether he exercises them wisely is a matter for debate—I think even some Opposition Members would concede that point. All I ask is that the Government pay…20 Mar 2023HANSARDPoint of OrderFurther to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. As my right hon. Friend prayed me in aid during his point of order, let me simply say that this is news to me, as Chair of…06 Mar 2023HANSARDCivil Service ImpartialityMay I say how heartened I am to see the Chamber so well-attended for a Cabinet Office urgent question on matters of constitutional propriety? It has not always been like that in…06 Mar 2023HANSARD Business of the HouseAs my right hon. Friend will know, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is a warm and friendly ensemble of parliamentarians, which Ministers enjoy…02 Mar 2023HANSARDChannel 4 Privatisation: Television Production IndustryI welcome the appointment of my hon. Friend, who is surely one of the ablest Ministers in His Majesty’s Government. I would be interested to know of his recent assessments of the…23 Nov 2022HANSARDLevelling-up FundCould I use this opportunity to make a shameless plug for the Marple active communities hub, which in round 2 must surely be among the strongest applications in my hon. Friend the…21 Nov 2022HANSARDEconomic Responsibility and a Plan for GrowthThe hon. Lady is very charitable in giving me a further minute for my peroration, although it seems a shame to extend it too long. The fracking debate that follows has been made a…19 Oct 2022HANSARDEconomic Responsibility and a Plan for GrowthThank you very much for calling me so early in the debate, Madam Deputy Speaker. If I may strike a conciliatory tone at the outset of my remarks, I thank everybody in this House…19 Oct 2022HANSARDTributes to Her Late Majesty The QueenIf I was asked by primary school children, “Did you ever meet Her late Majesty the Queen?”, I would sadly have to say no—there has been no practising of bows and curtsies as my…09 Sept 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThank you, Mr Speaker. My right hon. and learned Friend mentions the sophisticated and robust systems for upholding standards in public life, but those systems are, on the whole,…05 Jul 2022HANSARD Adviser on Ministerial InterestsIt is a pleasure to be called to speak in the debate. The motion in the name of the Leader of the Opposition is deeply flattering to me—presumably—and to the Committee that I have…21 Jun 2022HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests ResignationI will channel my rare inner Lady Bracknell and say that for the Prime Minister to lose one adviser on Ministers’ interests may be regarded as misfortune, but to lose two looks…16 Jun 2022