Business of the House

Jamie Stone Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. As she notes, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill have been considered by the House of Lords. The Government will consider them as we move forward. I will announce future business in the House in the usual way, but I am absolutely conscious of the importance of providing sufficient time for parliamentary scrutiny, wherever it falls in the parliamentary year.

[Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)]

I note what the Leader of the House said about the forthcoming consultation exercise. I urge right hon. and hon. Members to take part.

The shadow Leader of the House has touched on the activities in recent months of Russian spy ships and submarines off the coast of my constituency, taking a peer at our undersea cables and connections, and the strategic resource of the North sea in oil and offshore wind energy. May I respectfully ask the Leader of the House to help facilitate a meeting between me, and perhaps other concerned Members from other parties, and appropriate Ministers to discuss this issue and what our means of defence are?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The North sea is a critical asset and the Government understand the vital role it will play in the future. It is Britain’s greatest asset in building our energy future. It gives Scotland and the rest of Britain the chance to lead in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen, alongside oil and gas production. It is such an important matter that I will help to facilitate the meeting that the hon. Gentleman asks for.