Oral Answers to Questions

Frank McNally Excerpts

Wednesday 17th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I was proud to be the Labour Foreign Secretary who returned to the meeting of European Foreign Secretaries, and to work alongside my colleagues in the Cabinet Office to ensure that we were at last year’s summit and that it was successful. I can confirm that the next summit will take place on 22 July. Our red lines remain, but we are focused on a sanitary and phytosanitary deal to cut prices on the shelves, a youth experience scheme and cutting red tape for exporters.

[Frank McNally (Coatbridge and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Q2. I am sure the whole House will want to congratulate Sir Kevin Sinfield on his knighthood, which is fitting recognition for his work on motor neurone disease.Another champion fighting for a cure for MND is my constituent Mark Sommerville, whom I have mentioned at Prime Minister’s questions in the past. Diagnosed in 2023, Mark fights with remarkable resolve and courage. I am supporting Mark and his foundation in pushing for a new national MND strategy, with an emphasis on finding effective treatments, enhancing access to trials and accelerating novel drug discovery. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the matter further, so that we can work to find a cure for this horrific condition?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Sir Kevin Sinfield. He is an inspirational fundraiser and a champion for his sport and, of course, for the MND community. I know that Mark Sommerville runs an excellent foundation that campaigns on MND in my hon. Friend’s constituency. We are committed to improving care for people with motor neurone disease. We are looking at the current system to ensure that care is truly focused on the needs of individuals, and we are investing in cutting-edge research, including a world-first clinical trial to test remotely monitored portable ventilators. I know that the Minister for Care would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter further.