Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Lewis and Florence Eshalomi

Monday 2nd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Florence Eshalomi]

I recognise how distressing this situation will be for the many residents who have had to leave their homes, with the evacuation and the fear that the buildings might collapse. The buildings have been evacuated following defects identified in transverse slabs. My officials are supporting the London borough of Newham and the right-to-manage companies, and we are engaging with the developer, Galliard, and the warranty providers to ensure that they respond to this situation as swiftly as possible.

[Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)]

How does the abolition of a rural district council such as New Forest, and its absorption into a unitary authority dominated by an urban centre such as Southampton, increase devolution and local democracy?