Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 18 Nov 2020
Moorland Burning
"I am not saying that there is no need for land management; I am saying that we need to tackle the irresponsible land managers to make sure that that sort of thing does not happen.
Muirburn also poses a particular risk, in allowing fire to spread to highly flammable underground …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Written Question
Monday 2nd November 2020
Asked by:
Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question
to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that all (a) sanitary and (b) toilet products are accurately labelled as flushable.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
Most sanitary products and many toilet products are not flushable. If disposed of by being flushed down a toilet, they can cause sewer blockages and harm to the environment. The water industry has conducted research into blockages, which suggests baby wipes are one of the main items causing them.
In November 2016, a Defra Ministerial roundtable meeting with the water industry and the wipe manufacturers’ representative body was held to address sewer blockages. It resulted in improved industry labelling to indicate more clearly those wipe products, particularly baby wipes, that should not be flushed.
Since then the water industry has also devised a new ‘fine to flush’ standard for wipe products, covering largely moist toilet tissue. If products pass strict industry standards, manufacturers of wipes can feature an official water industry ‘Fine to Flush’ symbol on their packaging. This symbol is starting to be seen on an increasing number of products.
This standard requires that these products do not contain plastic and break up upon entering a sewer, therefore entering the sewage system without causing blockages or harming the environment.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"Digital technology offers significant opportunities to engage voters, but the commission’s report on the 2019 general election highlighted significant public concerns about the transparency of digital election campaigns. At its meeting on 24 March 2020, the Committee approved the commission’s interim corporate plan, which includes plans to address voter concerns …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"The commission works to protect the integrity of elections and the public’s confidence in it. There are limits to the activities that it can lead. The legal powers and remit stop at the UK borders. It looks to others to lead important activities outside political finance regulations, such as ensuring …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"As required under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Speaker’s Committee put in place and oversees the process for selecting candidates for appointment as electoral commissioners, including the chair. The Committee’s duty encompasses the recommendation of candidates for reappointment. There is no presumption in the statute either …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yes, it is not unusual for public appointments to end after one term. The Committee is grateful to Sir John for his four years of service in this very important role. The chair, and all commissioners who are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen following a …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"The commission is experienced at driving voter registration across the UK and across demographics. That is delivered through paid advertising, the generation of media coverage, and partnership activity with local authorities, charities and others. Most recently, ahead of the 2019 general election, 2.6 million people were registered during the period …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"The commission has been working with colleagues across the electoral community to consider the potential impacts of the pandemic on the delivery of polls in May 2021. It is also liaising with the relevant public health authorities to ensure that its work is informed by the latest analysis and advice. …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"The commission will ensure that people understand the full range of voting options available that will enable them to participate safely in next May’s polls, including the process and timelines of how to appoint a proxy or apply for a postal vote. Its priority will be to ensure that voters …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"In its most recent public opinion survey, in February this year, the words most frequently used by voters to describe the commission were “independent”, “important” and “professional”. The commission plays a vital role in maintaining fairness, trust and confidence in our democratic processes, both as a whole and in the …..."Owen Thompson - View Speech
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