All 39 Debates between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow

Wed 25th Sep 2019
Mon 12th Nov 2018
Tue 6th Nov 2018
Tue 17th Jul 2018
Trade Bill
Commons Chamber

3rd reading: House of Commons & Report stage: House of Commons
Thu 4th Jun 2015
Mon 28th Apr 2014

Legal Advice: Prorogation

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Wednesday 25th September 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Geoffrey Cox Portrait The Attorney General
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I am very sorry but I did not hear a word of that.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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There was a very unattractive rant fest taking place between hon. Members on opposite sides of the House, gesticulating aggressively at each other. It is a very undesirable state of affairs. Let us have a bit of calm and have the question again and the answer, but we want to proceed very quickly.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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You are most generous to hear me again, Mr Speaker. Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that if Her Majesty’s Government wish to push their prerogative powers to the very limit, as they are entitled, if perhaps not always well advised, to do, the kind of consequences we have seen in the past few days are inevitable?

Business of the House

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 5th September 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I very much endorse what the Leader of the House said about the hon. Members for Dewsbury (Paula Sherriff) and for Rhondda (Chris Bryant). I have made that point myself before, but I take the opportunity to do so again: people who have political disagreements with public figures should not demonstrate in a way that causes real anxiety and fear either to that Member—that public servant—or to members of his or her family; that is intolerable.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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May we have an urgent statement on UK Government support for the people and Government of the Bahamas given their very difficult situation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 27th June 2019

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman is a very busy fella, with a full diary. We are all greatly impressed.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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One of the major risks of leaving without a deal, which I very much hope will not happen, is cash-flow problems, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. I had understood that the Treasury and the whole Government were making plans to ensure that additional cash flow would be made available, particularly for SMEs, for delays in payments, customs dues and so on. But at the Exiting the European Union Committee yesterday, we heard from all witnesses that they were not aware of any such plans for their members. Can the Minister set out clearly what those plans are and when they will be made known?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 9th May 2019

(4 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Well, this is a very welcome trend and should be encouraged to continue.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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What discussions has my right hon. Friend been having with his Cabinet colleagues about cutting vehicle emissions—for instance, by improving the infrastructure of charging points in cities for electric and hybrid vehicles, which is absolutely critical to this aim?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 11th April 2019

(4 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan) is not merely committed to music; I think people should be aware that he is a distinguished member of MP4—the parliamentary rock band, no less, which has performed with considerable distinction in Speaker’s House and elsewhere. People should know that—it is very important.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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In Staffordshire, Entrust Music Service and Friends of Staffordshire’s Young Musicians do an excellent job in bringing music tuition and music performance to young people, but we need to do a lot more. Will the Secretary of State meet me and others to discuss how we can ensure that the money that is going in is translated into reality, particularly for children in families on low incomes, as mentioned by the hon. Member for Batley and Spen (Tracy Brabin)?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 19th February 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Before we proceed further, I hope that colleagues on both sides of the House will want to join me in extending a very warm welcome to Democratic New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, who is with us today. Welcome to you, Sir: we are delighted to have you.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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2. What steps he is taking to secure the long-term future of the NHS.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 31st January 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We have heard from a Tottenham fan, so we have to hear from an Arsenal fan.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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On Saturday I enjoyed watching England’s under-18 schoolboys beat Australia at the excellent Stafford Town football club. Can we ensure that international matches in all sports are played right across the country, including in our great towns as well as in our cities?

Appointment of Sir Roger Scruton

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Monday 12th November 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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If the qualification for such an appointment is that someone should not have said anything offensive or controversial to anyone during their life, how many Members of the House—with the exception of course of you, Mr Speaker—does my right hon. Friend think would qualify?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman’s generosity of spirit knows no bounds.

Police Pension Liabilities

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 6th November 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Let us see whether we can get everyone in by 1.15 pm, which is when we need to move on.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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I fully support the words of my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Mr Wragg). Will the Minister assure us that he will look carefully to ensure that the promised increases in police officers in Staffordshire and elsewhere are taken forward, because council taxpayers were promised that back in April?

Brexit Negotiations and No Deal Contingency Planning

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 4th September 2018

(5 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Ah, two admirably courteous fellows. What a difficult choice. I call Mr Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. May I thank my right hon. Friend, his colleagues and their teams for the huge amount of work they have done over the past couple of months in making a great deal of progress, as was quite evident last week and, indeed, in the Exiting the European Union Committee’s meeting with Mr Barnier yesterday? However, while I understand that the idea of coming away from all this with no deal must be put out there, it cannot be contemplated with any degree of equanimity. It would be seen by the world as a failure on our part and that of the European Union. It is not acceptable.

Business of the House

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 19th July 2018

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. There are strong feelings on this matter, and I have heard very clearly what the Leader of the House has said by way of her account. I know that she will not, however, cavil, or argue with me, when I say that I am the arbiter of what is parliamentary language, and no unparliamentary language has been used; I am clear about that and the Clerk is very clear about that. The hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting) has obviously irritated the right hon. Lady, but he used the word “inadvertently”. There is no breach of order; nothing disorderly whatsoever has happened. We do need to be clear about that.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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My right hon. Friend will know from her own constituency experience the problems that people affected by HS2 have in selling their property and not getting a quick resolution. There is no good resolution to this, and that applies even more to my constituents who are affected by the roadworks on the M6 and cannot get anyone to buy their property, the value of which has fallen precipitately as a result of the disturbance. When people are forced into a situation of being unable to sell their properties because Government action—whether in relation to road, rail, airports or anything else—causes the value of the property to plummet, can we ensure that there is justice for them and that they can sell their property at market value or get the appropriate compensation?

Trade Bill

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
3rd reading: House of Commons & Report stage: House of Commons
Tuesday 17th July 2018

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Trade Bill 2017-19 View all Trade Bill 2017-19 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 17 July 2018 - (17 Jul 2018)
John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Has the hon. Gentleman concluded his oration?

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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indicated assent.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Magnificent. We are very grateful to him.

Leaving the EU

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Monday 9th July 2018

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I cannot believe that the hon. Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) is standing up; he was absent from the Chamber for some considerable period—but perhaps he is waiting for the next statement. I call Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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May I join my right hon. Friend in paying tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) and my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr Baker) for all the work that they did on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill and much else, and to my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) for all his work in representing the United Kingdom? I pay particular tribute to him for his work in Africa.

Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister tell me how the association agreement, which is being put forward following the Chequers agreement, will ensure that we put national security, economic prosperity and our United Kingdom at the heart of our negotiating objectives?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Wednesday 4th July 2018

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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That is extremely helpful, but I am keen to get others in.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Given that most jobs in developing countries will be in self-employment or small businesses, what input does DFID have into the curriculum in developing countries to ensure that the necessary skills are taught?

Business of the House

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 7th June 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Keeping the best until last: Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Given that many European countries allow their embassies in Africa to issue business and other visas on the spot, may we have a debate on our own embassies and high commissions throughout Africa taking back control and being able to do the same, to encourage investment and trade with all those countries that are such great partners of ours?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 15th May 2018

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am extremely grateful to the Minister of State. I say this principally for the benefit of new Members who might not have heard me say it before: I once asked a predecessor of the Clerk of the House why it was that Foreign Office questions always seemed to take longer than other Question Times, to which, having consulted his scholarly cranium, he replied, “Mr Speaker, I think it is on account of the fact that when Ministers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office address the House, they feel they are addressing not merely the House, or even the nation, but in fact the world.”

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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14. What agreements were reached at the 2018 G7 meeting in Canada.

UK/EU Future Economic Partnership

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Monday 5th March 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. That is very discourteous behaviour. Let us hear from another well-behaved individual. Ah, yes: Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am not sure that my family would say that.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for two things in particular? The first is her absolute upholding of the United Kingdom—our United Kingdom—and our internal trade within our United Kingdom. The second is her point about the frictionless border. In my area of the west midlands, that is incredibly important. We are manufacturing exporters, and we rely on “just in time” deliveries to enable us to export our fine products around the world.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 20th February 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Was the excellent continental free trade area agreement of the African Union, which would bring great prosperity, discussed? If it was not discussed then, could it be discussed at the next meeting? I would be very happy to pay for it.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I don’t think it was a meeting, I think it was a booze-up.

Business of the House

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 23rd November 2017

(6 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am sure the happier-than-ever disposition of the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) is because he is joining me in continued celebration, a mere five days later, of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham. I call Mr Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Thank you, Mr Speaker—indeed I am.

My right hon. Friend has not mentioned the Second Reading in relation to High Speed 2 phase 2a, so I suspect it will be coming in the new year. However, may I ask for a debate on the importance of preparing for such a major project in terms of national road infrastructure? Phase 2a of HS2 will cut across the A38, the A34, the A51 and the M6, all within a relatively short space. It is vital that this national infrastructure is protected during the construction of phase 2a, if it is indeed to go ahead.

Humanitarian Situation in Mosul

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Wednesday 12th July 2017

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy); he can be the author of the brevity textbook.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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I pay tribute to the Iraqi security forces and the British armed forces for their work. Will the Secretary of State update us on another humanitarian threat to the people of Mosul, namely the Mosul dam, which is in an incredibly dangerous condition and, being upstream of Mosul, threatens the city?

Visible Religious Symbols: European Court Ruling

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Wednesday 15th March 2017

(7 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Mr Lefroy, what has happened? The feller was standing earlier. The House wants to hear him.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Mr Speaker, I apologise: my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) asked the question I was going to ask, and I did not want to detain the House any longer.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Extraordinary self-effacement; the hon. Gentleman is setting a very dangerous precedent.

Business of the House

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 12th January 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. May I gently point out to the House that a further 33 right hon. and hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye? Colleagues know that my normal practice is to facilitate everyone who wishes to take part in the business question, and I am keen to sustain that record, but they should be aware that the debate on Yemen is heavily subscribed and some priority has also to be attached to that. In short, we need short questions and short answers if I am not to leave colleagues disappointed.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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May we have a debate on Government support for UK businesses to export? There has been a welcome increase in UK export finance facilities, but we lag behind other competitors on further support to get companies into markets and support for them when they are already there.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 10th January 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Finally, a cerebral and immensely patient Member of the House who is unfailingly courteous at all times, Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. What support are Her Majesty’s Government giving to the welcome moves towards a settlement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 20th October 2016

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Member for Stafford looks very happy. Presumably, like me, he is celebrating Arsenal’s 6-0 victory last night.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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I am, Sir. Will the Secretary of State reassure many factories in the west midlands and my constituency that the smooth, tariff and hassle-free operation of supply chains is of the utmost importance to him?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 17th December 2015

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. The hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Drew Hendry) should not chunter from a sedentary position in evident disapproval of an answer that he had no right to expect in any case. It is principally a matter for DECC, so he ought to be saying thank you to the Secretary of State for proffering some sort of response. In a seasonal spirit, I am sure that that is what he will now do.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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T6. I welcome the Secretary of State’s emphasis on the promotion of British food here and around the world. When I try to buy lactose-free milk, I notice that it all comes from Denmark. Will she ensure that the British dairy industry gets a grip on this and starts to produce lactose-free milk for what is probably the biggest market in Europe?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 10th December 2015

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Ah! The hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) is looking as happy as ever, doubtless celebrating Arsenal’s quite outstanding victory last night.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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As no doubt you are, Mr Speaker.

The Secretary of State has already mentioned visiting Stafford, no doubt to see the work at Norton Bridge, excellently undertaken by Network Rail. With the advance of the first stage of phase 2 of HS2, there is the question of the impact on infrastructure, particularly on roads in the area around Stafford and mid-Staffordshire. Will he kindly meet me to discuss that?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 24th November 2015

(8 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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T8. Will the Government support all efforts to address the increasing instability in Burundi, which affects not just its own people but the entire region?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman’s brevity should be widely followed.

Trade Union Bill

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 10th November 2015

(8 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We are extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman. It falls to each Member to declare his or her interests as they see fit. We are deeply obliged to him.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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I rise to speak to amendment 5, which appears in my name and those of my hon. Friends the Members for Stevenage (Stephen McPartland) and for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis). I do so with a heavy heart, because clause 14, to which the amendment relates, is entitled, “Prohibition on deduction of union subscriptions from wages in public sector”. As a Conservative, I am not greatly in favour of prohibition in many instances and I certainly am not in this instance. The clause was not in the Bill on Second Reading so we did not debate it and I am disappointed that it has been brought forward. Because it has been brought forward, I will speak to my amendment.

When we introduce a prohibition, we must ask what the penalties will be. If a union and an employer decide that this kind of arrangement is so important and so difficult to unwind that they will continue using it, what will happen to them? Will the police be involved? Will the employer and the union be fined? If there is a prohibition, there must be some way of enforcing it. There is no sensible way of enforcing this kind of prohibition on what is a relatively sensible arrangement between an employer and a union.

Let us be clear that we are talking about an agreement between an employer and a union, not something that is imposed on either of them. It is a partnership. In my view, it is generally a positive one as it enables people to work together. Surely that is what all of us are here to encourage. Nobody is required to have such an arrangement.

If my amendment were accepted by the Government at some point, it would require the cost to be reimbursed, as it is in many arrangements up and down the country, including in my county of Staffordshire, where there is a perfectly good arrangement between Unison and Staffordshire County Council.

NHS Success Regime

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 4th June 2015

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Will my hon. Friend confirm—[Interruption.]

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I want the hon. Gentleman to be heard.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Will my hon. Friend confirm that at the heart of the success regime will be the provisions of the Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015 on integration and quality?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 22nd January 2015

(9 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Last but not least, I call Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend work with Staffordshire county council to tackle the long-term congestion problems in and around Stafford that are caused by, among many reasons, diversions from the M6 when it is blocked?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 29th April 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Osborne Portrait The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)
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This Government will freeze fuel duty for the rest of this Parliament. As a result, petrol will cost a full 20p per litre less than if we had stuck with the previous Government’s hated fuel duty escalator. We can afford to do this because we have got a grip on the public finances.

The House will also want to know that today we learned that GDP grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of this year. That is 3.1% over the year and today’s figures show that Britain is coming back. We cannot take that for granted. We have to go on working through our long-term economic plan, but for the first time in a decade all three main sectors of the economy—manufacturing, services and construction—have grown by at least 3% in the past year.

The impact of the great recession is still being felt, but the foundations—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. The Chancellor will resume his seat. The answer was not just too long—it was far too long.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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I welcome today’s growth figures, which reflect the hard work of the people of the United Kingdom and mean more jobs and more economic security. Based on the dynamic modelling my right hon. Friend has done, what contribution have his decisions to cut and freeze fuel duty made to that economic growth?

Points of Order

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Monday 28th April 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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What I say to the hon. Gentleman is that it would be possible for the Government to move a motion in lieu, rather than to amend the existing motion, but I think success of the kind that the hon. Gentleman envisages and hopes for would require the assent of the whole House. It might be thought on the part of the hon. Gentleman to be a triumph of optimism over reality to suppose that that would take place, but I hope he feels that his attempted point of order has been answered.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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On a point of order, Mr Speaker. This morning a Treasury Minister, in an interview on Radio 4 about phase 1 of HS2, spoke about the route “into Birmingham and now through to Crewe”, yet the Bill before us today dealing with phase 1 speaks of a route from Euston only as far as Handsacre in Staffordshire. Have you received any indication from the Government that an amendment will be tabled to the hybrid Bill to extend phase 1 to Crewe?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order and I understand the concern which prompts him to raise the point in the Chamber. However, the route is a matter for debate rather than of order for the Chair. In so far as the hon. Gentleman is, in his characteristically courteous way, seeking gently or otherwise to chide the Minister for what he regards as a marginally inaccurate interpretation of the contents of the Bill, I feel sure that the hon. Gentleman’s observations will have been noted, not least by the reproved Minister. We will leave it there, I think, for now.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Monday 11th March 2013

(11 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Mr Ruffley. Not here.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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22. How many people are in receipt of out-of-work benefits; and what assessment he has made of the level of inactivity in (a) Stafford constituency and (b) England.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 5th March 2013

(11 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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I seek leave to call for a debate on a specific and important matter that I believe should have urgent consideration: the appointment by Monitor of a trust special administrator for the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and the proposed changes to hospital services in Stafford and Cannock. There are four reasons why such a debate is vital.

First, this is the first such appointment to a foundation trust under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Given the seriousness of the decisions, I urge Monitor to ensure that there is the longest possible period of consultation and that the trust special administrator has the option to consider proposals other than those that have been set out, none of which are acceptable to me or my constituents. I welcome the reassurance that the administrator’s priority is to deliver high-quality services to patients.

Secondly, although some of the reasons for the administration are particular to Mid Staffordshire, the most important reasons are not. The pressure being placed on mid-sized and even large acute trusts by the squeezing of the emergency and acute tariffs since 2009 is huge. Mid Staffs, which had £21 million of extra funding injected into it last year, may be the first trust this has happened to, but if the squeeze continues, it may be the first of many. The House urgently needs the opportunity to debate NHS tariffs for emergency and acute care, the demand for which is rising annually.

Thirdly, the proposed changes to hospital services in the area served by Mid Staffordshire, including Cannock Chase, Stone and south Staffordshire, are not acceptable. They will increase health inequalities, contrary to section 4 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, by reducing access, especially for those on low incomes and those without access to private transport. The changes will put tens of thousands of my constituents much further away from emergency, acute and maternity services.

Finally, the impact of some of the changes will be felt much further afield. The surrounding hospitals are already operating at or near capacity. The idea that they can take on large numbers of additional patients without it damaging the services for their local populations is highly questionable.

I have always accepted that there need to be changes and that the trust in its present form needs to alter. However, the current proposals, which differ from those made by several reports over the past three years by Professor Sir George Alberti and others, go much too far. The services provided by the trust have improved considerably in the past three years. I urge the people of Stafford, Cannock and the surrounding areas to make full use of them to show the administrator just how indispensable they are.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman asks leave to propose a debate on a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration: namely, the proposed appointment of a special administrator for the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. I have listened carefully to his application and conclude that the matter does not, on this occasion, meet the criteria of Standing Order No. 24. I thank him for his contribution.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Thursday 1st November 2012

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We are getting a very full insight into the Minister’s working week, for which I am sure we are all extremely grateful.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Alstom, a major Stafford manufacturer, has just announced a welcome investment in tidal energy. Will the Minister please update us on the potential for tidal energy and associated manufacturing in the UK?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Wednesday 25th April 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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None Portrait Hon. Members
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Reading!

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Let us hear from Mr Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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At least half a million children died from malaria last year. On world malaria day, may I thank the Prime Minister for his personal commitment to combating this disease? Will he join me in recognising the international leadership that British scientists, aid workers and volunteers, including Rotarians in Penkridge and Stafford in my constituency, show in combating malaria?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 18th October 2011

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I remind the House that there is intense interest, and therefore there is a premium on brevity from Back and Front Benchers alike.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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T4. Several of my constituents, including members of the Cure the NHS group, have raised concerns over the way in which “Do not attempt resuscitation” notices are used in hospitals. Will the Secretary of State tell the House what the NHS is doing to ensure that the national guidance is followed?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 19th July 2011

(12 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Last but not least, I call Jeremy Lefroy.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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Some of the fastest-growing economies in the world are in sub-Saharan Africa. What steps is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office taking to help our exporters and investors in those countries?

Annual Energy Statement

Debate between Jeremy Lefroy and John Bercow
Tuesday 27th July 2010

(13 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. A very large number of right hon. and hon. Members wish to take part in this statement, but there is another statement to follow and then a ten-minute rule Bill, followed by the Backbench Business Committee debate to which nearly 50 Members have applied to contribute, so what I require both in questions and in answers is brevity.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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As my right hon. Friend knows, the energy-intensive industries in my constituency, such as ceramics and aluminium, which have already achieved great efficiencies over the past 10 years, are very concerned about the impact of the new carbon trading rules that are due to be introduced in a couple of years. Will he assure us that the rules will not result in production and jobs simply moving overseas to jurisdictions that do not take carbon emissions as seriously as we do in this country?