Business of the House

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Sally-Ann Hart

Thursday 9th May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his helpful advert for the Backbench Business Committee. He raises the very important matter of a particular aspect of leasehold. He will know that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is very focused on these issues. If the hon. Gentleman wants to give me specific examples, I will ensure that the Secretary of State has heard the detail of his case.

[Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

The Leader of the House may be aware that Hastings, St Leonards and some surrounding villages suffered the consequences of a burst water main over the bank holiday weekend, depriving tens of thousands of residents and businesses of running water, and impacting Hastings’ famous and amazing Jack in the Green weekend and May day celebrations. While Southern Water acted promptly in finding and fixing the leak—and I thank the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore) for their huge support—can we have a debate about investing in water infrastructure, including building new reservoirs and maintaining existing infrastructure, and the impact of ageing infrastructure on water supply reliability?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I am very sorry to hear about the situation that affected my hon. Friend’s constituents so adversely. She will know that the infrastructure plan that is under way to modernise our waste water system and other water systems is the largest infrastructure project of its type in the world. She can follow the progress of that infrastructure plan on Water UK’s website. In particular, the plan on combating storm overflows is there for the general public to see. I will ensure that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has heard the particular case that she raises. She will know how to apply for a debate in the usual way.

Business of the House

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Sally-Ann Hart

Thursday 22nd February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

On the hon. Member’s latter point, I will certainly make sure that the Secretary of State has heard what he said, and he can put that to Ministers directly on 27 February. With regard to his former point, it is in the interests of the British people that democracy is protected. As I said, the interests of the Labour party are trumping democracy.

[Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

Yesterday, we saw the politicisation of the situation in Gaza by SNP Members to engineer an issue within the Labour party—their Opposition day, their right. Labour Members were reportedly concerned about their security, as we are, but the Labour party frequently confects issues towards the Conservative side. We have seen Conservative Members called “scum” by a Labour Member, inside and outside this Chamber. We have been accused of starving children and dumping sewage in our seas. These are false assertions to generate intolerable hatred, death threats and abuse against Conservative MPs. Can my right hon. Friend tell me whether the Conservatives have ever asked for special treatment or convention to be overturned to protect us? Does that illustrate that both sides of the House, not just this side, need to take a responsible approach to debate in this House and public discourse, and in public life?

Business of the House

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Sally-Ann Hart

Thursday 11th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I shall ensure that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is aware of the hon. Lady’s concern and her request for further information. I can tell her that the next session of questions to the Secretary of State will be on 25 May.

[Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

May I, too, congratulate our very own Amphitrite?

Westfield Parish Council has worked very hard to deliver the Westfield parish community fibre project, which is now at the second stage of validation and is on track to deliver the largest community fibre scheme in East Sussex. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the council on this fantastic achievement, and may I ask her for a debate on how its success could be replicated in other rural communities?

[Penny Mordaunt]

Well done, Westfield Parish Council! That is incredibly important progress, and it illustrates the reasons for our determination to level up digital connectivity throughout the UK and end the digital divide between rural, suburban and urban areas. We are investing £5 billion in that important mission. I think that this is an excellent topic for debate, and my hon. Friend will know how to apply for one.