Business of the House

Debate between Connor Rand and Alan Campbell

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

It is important that we have clarity on these schemes, because the ability of academics to come to this country to work and study is an important part of the life of our higher education institutions. I will draw the issue to the attention of the Foreign Office in order to get to the bottom of it, find out what the accurate picture is and make it aware of the hon. Lady’s concerns.

[Mr Connor Rand (Altrincham and Sale West) (Lab)]

Recently, a 12-year-old boy in Timperley in my constituency was stabbed with a screwdriver by a local adult man in a totally unjustified attack. Thankfully, my constituent survived this horrific ordeal, but both he and his parents were staggered to learn that the attacker has been released on bail. I share the deep concerns of the victim, his friends who witnessed the attack and all their parents about this decision, so could the Leader of the House help me raise—

Business of the House

Debate between Connor Rand and Alan Campbell

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady raises an important question, and I will ensure that she gets an explanation from the appropriate Minister.

[Mr Connor Rand (Altrincham and Sale West) (Lab)]

I associate myself with hon. Members’ comments about the horrific fire in Hong Kong.

My constituents’ vulnerable son died recently after attempting suicide in his prison cell at Forest Bank prison and later succumbing to his injuries. His mother is understandably devastated and appalled about the standard of care that he received prior to his death. Some 27 inmates at Forest Bank—a private prison run by Sodexo—have now died in the past five years alone, which is deeply troubling. Might we have a debate in Government time on the standard of private prisons that receive Government contracts?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sure that the whole House will join me in sending condolences to the friends and family of my hon. Friend’s constituents—and indeed to all friends and family who have been affected by deaths in custody, which are always a tragedy. Prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm are supported through individual case management, but the case that my hon. Friend raises is worrying. I will ensure that the Justice Secretary hears his concerns, and I invite him to request a meeting—which I will facilitate—with the appropriate Minister.

Business of the House

Debate between Connor Rand and Alan Campbell

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, who is absolutely right to raise this subject on the Floor of the House. This debilitating condition affects a large number of people across our constituencies. We will join him in any cross-party work to highlight the condition during that week, but I can also offer him a meeting with Ministers so that he can speak to them directly, not just about the scale of the problem but about what we are doing to tackle it.

[Mr Connor Rand (Altrincham and Sale West) (Lab)]

My constituent Naomi was a victim of extreme online stalking, slander and harassment for several years, which had a profound impact on her mental health. Despite the perpetrator pleading guilty, it took three years until they were finally sentenced to prison last month. The ordeal has shattered Naomi’s faith in our criminal justice system, so may we have a debate in Government time on support for victims of online stalking and harassment?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important issue. Our thoughts are with Naomi and many others who find themselves in that terrible situation. We have introduced measures to tackle stalking. We are currently undertaking a review of stalking legislation to ensure that it is fit for purpose, and our violence against women and girls strategy will also cover online and offline stalking. If my hon. Friend seeks a meeting with a Minister to look into this further, I am sure that he will be successful in getting one.

Business of the House

Debate between Connor Rand and Alan Campbell

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Victims will be at the centre of it, and we will deliver the recommendations of that inquiry and improve the situation that the hon. Gentleman’s party is at risk of playing politics with.

[Mr Connor Rand (Altrincham and Sale West) (Lab)]

My eight-year-old constituent, Phoebe, is bravely battling cancer. Both her parents and her oncologists believe that a liver transplant offers her the best hope of recovery, but that has been refused by the NHS trusts overseeing her treatment. Having been told that there is no right of appeal, her parents are now crowdfunding for a transplant abroad. I have already written to the Health Secretary on this issue, but could we have a debate in Government time about child cancer treatments and support for both parents and children going through this horrific ordeal?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sincerely sorry to hear about Phoebe’s situation; it must be very painful and worrying for her and her family. I will follow up with the Health Secretary, but I know that Ministers have received his letter, and he will get a response shortly. He may also wish to apply for a debate, but I will ensure that the House is updated when the comprehensive national cancer plan is published in the new year.