Oral Answers to Questions

Luke Pollard Excerpts

Wednesday 5th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

My right hon. Friend makes a very good point. That is absolutely right, and as I say, it is why I am very proud to be the chairman of a party that has a fund, through the Conservative Foundation, that puts money into supporting candidates in that way. It is for all of us in all political parties to support candidates of all types and abilities to come forward, stand and represent their constituents.

[Luke Pollard (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)]

May I encourage the Minister to look at hidden disabilities, such as fibromyalgia and ME, as well as physical disabilities, to ensure that people with hidden disabilities, which might not be instantly recognisable, are included in the democratic process?

[Brandon Lewis]

Yes. The hon. Gentleman is right. It is for all of us to ensure we have a holistic approach to make sure nobody is ever left behind and everybody has a chance to reach their full potential.

--- Later in debate ---

[Kevin Foster]

My hon. Friend’s examples show why an arbitrary 15-year limit is not correct. The Government are considering their options to bring this forward at the earliest opportunity.

[Luke Pollard (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)]

T7.   Will the Government commit that come the next general election not a single primary school will have to close to be a polling station?

[Kevin Foster]

Legislation allows returning officers to use schools as polling places to ensure sufficient provision of polling places. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there needs to be a balance, particularly because we need to find accessible buildings and in some cases schools will be the only ones, but there should be a discussion between returning officers and schools to ensure that the burden of this requirement is not too great.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Lidington]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the particular example of Pegasus bridge and the heroism shown by servicemen from our two counties. He is right that today we need to pay tribute to the men and women who took part in the success of Operation Overlord, from whichever part of the United Kingdom or from whichever allied country they came.

[Luke Pollard (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)]

Q12. Far too many people in our uniformed public services are taking their own lives, but we do not know the true extent of the tragedies as Ministers do not require the data to be collected. Does the Minister agree that the police, armed forces and prison services should follow the lead of the fire service and record the number of people in their service who take their own lives?

[Mr Lidington]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I know that he is due to meet Ministers from the Ministry of Justice fairly soon to talk about whether the MOJ could introduce similar practices for its services; I will draw his question to the attention of the Minister for Policing, to see whether a comparable meeting can be established with the Home Office.