Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Torcuil Crichton

Thursday 15th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sure the House will not have missed the hon. Gentleman’s opening comments when he talked about his party’s “positions” on Europe—it is not unusual for the Lib Dems to have many positions on many things. I am sure he enjoyed his conference, not least because he probably got more sleep than he might have done with a young child at home, but there we are. The difference between our conference and his is that the leader of our party came out strengthened from our conference; I am not sure the Lib Dems can say the same.

On the serious matter that the hon. Gentleman raises, we have granted over 230,000 visas under the British national overseas visa route, and we are honouring our commitment to support Hongkongers facing political pressure. We remain committed to supporting Hong Kong residents and welcoming eligible applications under the scheme. Every application involving a prior conviction is assessed individually on its merits. We are ensuring that actions that are not considered criminal offences under UK law do not bar applicants from safety, but I give him my word that I will go back to the Home Office, and if that needs to be clarified, I will draw that to its attention

[Torcuil Crichton (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)]

The Western Isles have been struck this week by maritime tragedy with the sinking of the fishing vessel Kilda in a Tuesday night storm off the coast of Lewis, with what we fear is the subsequent loss of the three souls aboard. I pay tribute and express thanks to the coastguard officers, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution crews, helicopter crews and police officers who are still involved in the search for two of the missing men.

Events like this cut deeply into our communities and leave salted wounds of grief; I think of Ness, Barvas and Carloway, and the homes and villages there that this crew left from. That pain of grief will be echoed in other coastal communities across the country. All those who fish will mourn, and they that spread their nets on the ocean will languish. For that reason, can the Leader of the House join me in expressing deep condolences to the families and communities affected and to all the other families and fishers who touch that razor’s edge of the deep every day and, for our good, go down to the sea in ships?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sure the whole House will join me and the hon. Gentleman in extending our most heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who have lost their lives. I join him in paying tribute to the brave members of the RNLI and the coastguard involved in the search and rescue. I am a coastal MP, and it is coming up to the 60th anniversary of the loss of the Gaul, the biggest single trawler loss in the industry’s history; six of those men were from my constituency, and we marked that event over the summer. I know absolutely the importance of that loss and how it is felt in fishing communities, and I know how important the work of the RNLI and coastguard is and how deeply appreciated they are.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Torcuil Crichton

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are committed to improving the accessibility of British railways. We have confirmed £280 million for Access for All projects over four years. There have been a number of recent debates relating to the accessibility of our railways, but I think further such debates—perhaps Backbench Business or Adjournment debates—would be of great interest to Members across the House.

[Torcuil Crichton (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)]

Yesterday, with Highlands and Islands airports at the centre of international events, there was no Scottish news programming on STV—the ITV channel in Scotland—because journalists were on the picket line in Aberdeen and Glasgow. Their strike centres on STV’s plans to cut the cherished northern edition of news output—formerly Grampian News—and to cut 28 editorial jobs and merge them with central belt news services, which would dilute and diminish northern coverage. Does the Leader of the House agree that, when facts are so precious, it is important that we protect local journalism and value the distinct voice that it provides?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I support my hon. Friend in what he says about the importance of local journalism and the distinct voice that it provides. My understanding is that Ofcom has launched a consultation on the proposed changes, and I encourage everyone with a view on this matter to respond to it.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Torcuil Crichton

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Torcuil Crichton (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)]

A return flight from my Western Isles/Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency to Glasgow can cost £600 return. That is enough to make Donald Trump think twice about coming to his mother’s home island. There is an air discount scheme, but what we really need is a public service obligation, with Government support for those vital social and economic flights. Will the Leader of the House lean on the Department for Transport to get together with the Scottish Government, Loganair and the local authority to make those flights more affordable for islanders and for the President of the United States?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will raise that with the Department and ensure that my hon. Friend gets the answer he seeks.