Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 16th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab)]

The Opposition were pleased to see the Prime Minister in the USA this week negotiating a trade deal on behalf of the EU to open up that new export market to the British food industry. I was disappointed to note the Secretary of State’s failure to support his Government’s Queen’s Speech in its entirety last night. Does he agree with his Prime Minister and President Obama that the UK is better off in the EU? Yes or no?

[Mr Speaker]

Presumably, that is with reference to the opening up of new markets to British producers?

[Mary Creagh]

indicated assent.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)]

I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement. Residents of Pagham and Middleton-on-Sea, in my constituency, greatly valued the visit by the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), on 29 April. Surface water flooding was a huge problem in my constituency on 10 June last year, and it is now becoming clear that silt build-up in the Pagham and Aldingbourne rifes exacerbated that flooding. Will my right hon. Friend encourage the Environment Agency to give greater priority to routine clearing and dredging of the main river water courses that are so important in preventing and mitigating flood damage?

[Mr Speaker]

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should seek an Adjournment on the matter. He might even get it.

[Mr Paterson]

I shall be brief, Mr. Speaker. My hon. Friend has raised a very important point. I think that the Environment Agency has a role to play in clearing major waterways, but I am also talking to the agency about speeding up the ability of landowners to look after low-risk waterways, where there is also a problem in rural areas.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not wish to be unkind to the hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell), but I want speedily to move on from fruit to bees. I call Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

13. What recent assessment he has made of the health of the UK’s bee population.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Heath]

I think we should hold a consultation, listen to the results and then reach a decision. That is what we are doing.

[Mr Speaker]

Very briefly, I call Mr Andrew Stephenson.

[Mr Heath]

That is absolutely crucial. We need to attract the best and the brightest into farming, the other land-based industries and the food industry. It is the biggest manufacturing industry in this country. That is why a short time ago I launched a future for farming review, which is under way. I hope that it will provide us with a clear picture of where the barriers are and where the opportunities are for attracting people into these industries.

[Mr Speaker]

We are extremely grateful to the ministerial team and to colleagues.

[Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab)]

1. What progress the Electoral Commission is making on preparations for the full confirmation test in the transition to individual electoral registration.