Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 5th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We now come to Clive Efford, who has the final question.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

Residents in Master Gunner Place in my constituency are still paying for a waking watch, despite a new fire alarm being introduced. These properties were built with major defects by Countryside Properties, and they are now owned by Samnas. I want to know what the Minister is going to do to take these people to task, because they are costing my constituents a lot of money, which should have been resolved before.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 11th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Pete Wishart.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

rose—

[Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP)]

The Secretary of State for Scotland recently—

[Mr Speaker]

Sorry, let us take Clive Efford, who has already started. I will come to you, Mr Wishart.

[Clive Efford]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister feel that civil service impartiality was compromised in any way by having to deal with the fast track for covid contracts, or by the way in which the Government responded to the accusations of lockdown parties in No. 10 Downing Street?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 27th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Clive Efford.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.] I will pop round with a cup of tea later, Mr Speaker.

Over the years, many hundreds of thousands of children up and down the country have learned to swim in their local swimming pool, and the clubs that provide those facilities are quite often very grassroots and local. However, our local swimming baths are under threat. The energy they consume is enormous and they are extremely expensive to run. The £63 million announced in the Budget is welcome, but we have yet to see the detail of how that money will be rolled out. Can the Minister tell us when it will be rolled out and when we will know the criteria?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 9th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Clive Efford for the final question.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

Which is the greater evidence of political bias: Gary Lineker criticising the Government’s language from his private Twitter account, or the chairman of the BBC giving donations to the Conservative party?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 2nd March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Is it relevant to the questions?

[Clive Efford]

Yes, Mr Speaker. In his answer to me, the Minister of State, Department for Transport, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman) mentioned that he was sending a letter to Members who were affected by the changes that he had announced. When I looked at my emails later, I noted that that communication had been sent at the exact moment I sat down after asking my question, which denied me the opportunity to quiz the Minister further about his announcement. While the off-peak services to Charing Cross are welcome, he has not dealt with the overcrowding at peak times. I do not know how I can obtain redress for this, Mr Speaker, but at least I have put it on the record.

[Mr Speaker]

Does the Minister want to respond?

Points of Order

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 5th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Member for giving me notice of the point of order. Of course, I am hoping that Ministers will have heard it. It is certainly on the record. The hon. Member might also consider raising it with the Procedure Committee, which monitors the performance of Government in answering questions. I say quite clearly to the Government that they have a duty to answer all Members of Parliament, whichever side of the House they come from. They should be diligent in making sure that questions are answered as promptly as possible.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am concerned that the House may have been misled inadvertently, at least by omission. The Paymaster General asserted that the Prime Minister did not recall that he had been advised by a civil servant about the previous issues regarding the right hon. Member for Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) because he forgot, but my understanding is that meetings with civil servants are a matter of record, and his private office would have investigated that. So how do we get redress, because surely it was investigated? What was in that record and who told who about it?

[Mr Speaker]

I am not going to continue the debate; we have got through it. The hon. Member has certainly put his point on the record, and, knowing him, I do not think he will leave it at that; I am sure he will tickle out further answers we go on.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 28th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Clive Efford.

We have a slight problem. Can the Chancellor answer the question as if it has been asked?

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

6. What recent assessment he has made of the effect of trends in the level of inflation on the UK economy.

North Sea Oil and Gas Producers: Investment Allowances

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 6th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Hang on a minute. I think I will decide. Carry on, Clive. Come on! You look like a person who never heckles himself.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

I am the soul of discretion, Mr Speaker. I feel wounded—deeply wounded!

As I was saying, the Government have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to accept a policy that they previously described as unnecessary and undeliverable. However, I fail to see how it is an efficient use of taxpayers’ money, given that it will incentivise the companies to offset the tax. Would it not have been better to invest the money in insulating homes and ensuring that people’s bills were brought down on a more permanent basis? Would that not have been a much more effective policy?

Points of Order

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 18th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During Prime Minister’s questions, my right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the Opposition raised the case of someone who undergoes home dialysis, and the Prime Minister stated that the NHS covers the cost of that dialysis. The amount of money that the NHS makes available only partially covers the cost of dialysis and people are reimbursed only after they have paid their bill. That answer misrepresented the position of people who are on home dialysis, and yet again, we find ourselves asking the question: when will the Prime Minister come back and correct the record?

[Mr Speaker]

As the hon. Member knows, the answers that are given are not a question for me. However, that is on the record and it is up to individual Members to correct it.

Easter Recess: Government Update

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 19th April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

There is no point of order now—we are in the middle of statements.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 16th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Before we move on to questions, may I just say that I wish Oliver Dowden well? He worked well, but I know he has a very able replacement. I welcome the new Secretary of State, who I know must have the greatest interest in rugby league; I welcome her team—herself and the new Minister.

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

1. What her Department’s involvement is in the fan-led review of football governance.

Covid-19

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 16th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We all appreciate the work and the efforts of the Secretary of State for Health and his attempts to answer our questions this evening, but there were questions that he was not able to answer for several other Departments, such as the Treasury, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Transport. When will we get statements from other Secretaries of State, so that we can quiz them properly on the arrangements the Government are making on the very important issues we are raising on behalf of our constituents?

[Mr Speaker]

How the Government table their business is a matter for them. In fairness to the Government, they want to work with both sides of the House to ensure that we put the country first, and I am sure that that message will have been heard.

Windrush

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 2nd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker—and this is a genuine point of order. The hon. Member for St Albans (Mrs Main) just asked for the publication of documents that go back before 2010. If you were willing to accept a manuscript amendment to the motion, would the Government then support the motion?

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I am not going to accept a manuscript amendment.

Housing

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 15th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford]

rose—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Mr Efford, you have to sit back down. The Minister has given way once and he will give way again, but you can’t just stand there—[Interruption.] I am sorry, but you just can’t hang around stood up.

--- Later in debate ---

[Clive Efford]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am sorry, but the reason I tried to intervene again is that the Minister, discourteously, completely ignored the point I made, presumably because it was too awkward for him.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. I will make the decisions. That is not a point of order. I hope you are not trying to reflect on the Chair. [Interruption.] In which case, you don’t need to be stood up waiting for the Minister to give way again. I am sure the Minister will wish to give way on his terms, and not on your terms or mine.

Tax Credits

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 20th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. We can only have one Member on their feet at once. We cannot have the whole Chamber trying to get in at once.

[Clive Efford]

I am taking my time, Mr Deputy Speaker.

The Prime Minister and others were asked specifically, “Will you cut tax credits?”, and the answer was no.

Housing

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 10th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

I accept part of what the Secretary of State says. The previous Labour Government did not build enough houses and I said so at the time, but this Government came in and poured petrol on the fire. There was the lowest level of house building since the 1920s; they scrapped the biggest council house building programme for 20 years; and last year only 27,000 social houses and only 1,000 council houses were built. That is a disgraceful record.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

We must have short interventions if we are going to get other Members in to speak.

National Health Service (Amended Duties and Powers) Bill

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Friday 21st November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford]

claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

Question put forthwith, That the Question be now put.

The House proceeded to a Division.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

I ask the Serjeant at Arms to investigate the delay in the No Lobby.

--- Later in debate ---

[Clive Efford]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I understand that, in order to go into Committee, this Bill requires a resolution from the Government. Given the overwhelming number of people who turned up on a Friday to support it, would it not be churlish of the Government not to pass that resolution and make sure that this Bill goes into Committee forthwith?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

As you pointed out, it is something for the Government, but not me, to take on board.

LIBOR (FSA Investigation)

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 28th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

The hon. Gentleman voted for 13 years for a Government who failed this country. We are changing the regulation, changing the structure of banking—[Interruption.] and we are dealing with this latest abuse— [Interruption.]

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. We have heard the question. The hon. Gentleman should have the courtesy to listen to the answer, even if he does not like it. There is no need to get so excited—

[Clive Efford]

Plenty of people out there are excited.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. Is the hon. Gentleman questioning me?

[Clive Efford]

I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Points of Order

Debate between Clive Efford and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 27th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

No notice of such a statement has been given to the Chair. As the hon. Gentleman will recognise, the other part of his question was not a point of order for the Chair. I am sure that those on the Treasury Bench will have heard what he had to say.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I know that the Prime Minister would not want to mislead the House. Will you tell me how I might put on record the fact that the private finance initiative for Queen Elizabeth hospital in south-east London was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community on 1 March 1995 under the previous Conservative Government?

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman has put his point on the record. We are obviously not going to open up that point again.