Commons
Westminster Hall
16 July 2025
3 contributions
Credit Unions
It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I commend and thank my Gaelic cousin, the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch (Katrina Murray), for setting the scene so very well. It is also good to see the Minister in his place. He is certainly becoming a regular in Westmin…
That was meant as a compliment, by the way. I look forward to the Minister’s contribution. The shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier), brings a wealth of knowledge to the debate from his previous employment. I know that the debate will be greatly enhanced by the contribution…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 July 2025
Information Commissioner’s Office: Relocation
I commend the right hon. Lady. The word is used often, but she is a champion for her constituents, who will today be impressed and proud of what she has done. On those 800 jobs, does she share my concern that there been no consultation about the impact on the local economy and the community? That is…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 July 2025
2 contributions
RAF E-7 Wedgetail Programme
Will the hon. Gentleman give way on that point?
The hon. Gentleman is indeed my near-neighbour—we are just divided by a bit of water—and I have very much appreciated his friendship and support over the years.
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Wedgetail is the most technologically advanced system available and will provide UK defence with eye…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 July 2025
Further Education Institutions
I commend the hon. Lady, who has made a reputation for herself in the Chamber by asking all the questions. I understand this is her first Westminster Hall debate, and I congratulate her on it and wish her well. Last year there were almost 19,000 UCAS applicants who self-identified as young adult car…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 July 2025
Blue Badge Eligibility
I commend the hon. Lady for securing this debate. I spoke to her beforehand about issue, which comes up regularly in my constituency office, so I commend her for securing this debate. Does she not agree that certain illnesses should have an automatic blue badge entitlement? Saying that someone has n…
Commons
Debate
15 July 2025
Local Justice Area Reform
I commend the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd—I hope that is somewhere near the Welsh, but with an Ulster Scots accent—for bringing forward this debate and I congratulate her on it. I spoke to her beforehand just to ascertain the direction of travel. Does she agree that magistrates must kno…
Commons
Debate
15 July 2025
3 contributions
Welfare Spending
Will the hon. Lady give way on that point?
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 July 2025
Afghanistan
I thank the Secretary of State very much for his well-chosen, careful, contrite words, which were said in a tone that the House appreciates. As an MP who has often decried the abandonment of those Afghans who helped to secure safety for our troops, and whose job put them in the firing line, I must a…
Commons
Oral Questions
15 July 2025
New Nuclear
I have always been a supporter of nuclear power. Unfortunately, we do not have access to nuclear power in Northern Ireland, but I know from discussions with the Minister that he is very keen to ensure that modular nuclear power opportunities are available in Northern Ireland. Business that I have sp…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
SEND Provision: South-east England
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Edward. I congratulate the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Mike Martin) on setting the scene so well. My contribution to this debate is to support him in his request to his education authority and to outline some of the concerns we have where we a…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
Women and Girls with Autism: Mental Health Support
I commend the hon. Lady for securing this debate. She is absolutely right to highlight the issue. It is very hard to listen to because the particular circumstances are so personal. Numerous studies have shown that girls and women are more likely to internalise the stress and anxieties that come with…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024
I was minded, when my hon. Friend had a passport in either hand there, to think, “Which one is best?” Well, we know which one is best: the British one. Does he agree that one of the benefits is that people who designate as Irish can and do have the facility to apply for the greatest passport in the …
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
Beer Duty
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison, and it was a pleasure to hear the hon. Member for Woking (Mr Forster) set the scene so well. I was intrigued by the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) referring to the fact that Lib Dems were here. It made me wonder wha…
Commons
Debate
14 July 2025
Condition of Roads: Cheshire
I commend the hon. Lady for securing the debate; I spoke to her beforehand. I am reminded of the old wee rhyme that my mother used to say to me: a stitch in time saves nine. Does the hon. Lady agree that a pothole repaired in time can save lives? The Government must be more proactive in ensuring tha…
Commons
Debate
14 July 2025
Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill
To be honest, I think many of us have sympathy for the hon. Lady’s new clause, but I am concerned about the security of this country, for which the Minister and the Government have responsibility. If someone contravenes that in any way or leads to any insecurity for the rest of the citizens, should …
Commons
Debate
14 July 2025
Privilege
I was born in Omagh a long, long time ago—70 years ago, to be precise. I do not remember very much about it, but Omagh has always been dear to my heart. I remember well the event as it took place, the people that day and the tears we all shed for the people of Omagh, and we seek justice. Families ha…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
14 July 2025
Leasehold Reform
I thank the Secretary of State for her answers. The issues with the leasehold system, and the need for legal protection for everyone, have been set out in debates in Westminster Hall and this Chamber, and I very much welcome the Government’s commitment to changes. The leasehold system here is slight…
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 July 2025
4 contributions
Northern Ireland Veterans: Prosecution
On a point of order, Mr Mundell. Before the debate, I spoke to you, the Speaker’s Office and the shadow Minister. Many of us here would love to participate in the other debate in the main Chamber, but we cannot because we cannot be in two debates at one time—some people have tried that; I have tried…
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. I commend the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont) for setting the scene on behalf of the Petitions Committee.
We have all spoken about this subject repeatedly, but let me be very clear that I will not tire of sp…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
10 July 2025
Resident Doctors: Industrial Action
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement today and fully support the line of action that he has taken. Indications that the majority of doctors in the BMA did not vote to strike makes this strike action even more difficult to understand. The Secretary of State is clearly trying to find a way…
Commons
Proceedings
10 July 2025
Business of the House
I wish to raise the disturbing reports of abuse suffered by Alawite women abducted by jihadist groups in Syria—including, unfortunately, prolonged sexual violence in underground prisons run by groups such as Jaysh al-Islam. Will the Leader of the House ask Ministers to update this House on the asses…
Commons
Proceedings
10 July 2025
2 contributions
UK-France Nuclear Partnership
rose —
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker— I always expect to be called last, but I have just jumped in ahead of my colleague and friend, the hon. Member for South Antrim (Robin Swann).
I thank the Minister for her answers today. We very much welcome the news that we are to enhance our nuclear programme—that…
Commons
Oral Questions
10 July 2025
Visas: Schengen Area
As the Minister knows, Northern Ireland is in that wonderful limbo land of movement—half in the United Kingdom and half in the EU, because of the unfinished protocol Bill. Can he tell us how those in Northern Ireland will be affected by the Schengen area due to the particular, and perhaps peculiar p…
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 July 2025
4 contributions
Victims of Terrorism: State Support
It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris, and I say a special thank you to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Andy MacNae) for bringing this motion forward. He and I talked beforehand, and it is very clear what he wants to achieve—indeed, it is the same reason why we a…
I thank the hon. Member for that. Yes—it is very real for us. I think of my cousin, 54 years ago, and even today, 54 years later, it is still as real for my family and myself. It is something that I do not think I will ever forget. Those here in the Public Gallery today will know the same agony, pai…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 July 2025
London’s National Economic Contribution
I commend the hon. Member for rightly bringing this forward. For the record, I wish to see London doing extremely well, because if London does well, I think we all do well. In 2024, 264 foreign direct investments arrived in London, which indicates not only the importance of London but the potential …
Commons
Debate
9 July 2025
Birmingham Pub Bombings
I commend the right hon. Gentleman for bringing forward this debate; he is absolutely right to do so. I have met Julie Hambleton, and I support her campaign. I have spoken to her a number of times, both in Belfast and over here. Justice is needed for the 21 innocents who were murdered. I would like …