Public Services

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 16th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

I thank my good friend for giving way. In the past 15 years or so, those in the armed forces have had a problem getting into things such as the police service, the fire service and the Prison Service. Does he agree that it would be good to have a recruitment drive for those junior non-commissioned officers, senior NCOs and young officers leaving the armed forces to go into that kind of profession?

[Mr Speaker]

Judging by the hon. Gentleman’s appearance, I do not know whether he is anticipating an early dinner, a long dinner or, conceivably, both.

Points of Order

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 15th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I have not seen the said Bill; I do not know whether it is yet drafted. I might be taking a modest risk in saying this, but with very few exceptions, Bills are amendable. Indeed, the concept of the unamendable Bill is by no means empirically proven. Sometimes people draft Bills in the hope that they cannot be amended, but their hope is usually dashed. I have no reason to suppose that a Bill of the type that the hon. Gentleman describes would be unamendable, and if it required a fertile mind, that would be no bar to the efforts and perspicacity of the hon. Gentleman.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Further to the point of order made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Sir Mike Penning), Mr Speaker. Captain Nairac was posthumously awarded the George Cross, our highest civilian gallantry award. May I remind the House that he was tortured heinously for several hours, beaten up and hit with a wooden post. Eventually, an IRA terrorist killer came to him and said, “You’ve had it.” Apparently, Robert Nairac then said very little except to ask for God’s grace. He died in an incredibly gallant way, and I agree with you, Mr Speaker, that we should recognise the gallantry of this man.

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for what he has said. I was particularly interested to hear him develop his point fully, even though it was not entirely a point of order, out of respect for the track record of not only his political service but his military service, which is well known across the House and which itself has been marked by extraordinary professionalism, resilience and bravery.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

No, no, no—sit down. The question is about Catalonia. [Interruption.] Well, I have been advised, and I am afraid that the question did not strike me as in order. We must move on. The hon. Gentleman can try again later.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

11. What recent diplomatic steps he has taken to help ensure a secure and stable Government in Lebanon.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 4th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

In thanking the Secretary of State, and the gratitude of the House is obvious, let me just say by way of reply that that is—[in British Sign Language]—good news.

[Bob Stewart]

As a boy, my ayah came from Somaliland, which was a British protectorate then. Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explain what her Department is doing to help that great country, which has always been a friend of the UK?

May Adjournment

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Thursday 3rd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart]

He is not learned. I accept that point, but anyway, I am thinking of the young entering the profession now.

[Mr Speaker]

It may be that the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) is not, in the parliamentary sense, learned, but I think we can all agree that he is distinguished.

[Bob Stewart]

Mr Speaker, as ever, you put me properly in my box and, as ever, I take a spanking without any problem.

Easter Adjournment

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Thursday 29th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

This afternoon, I should like to talk about a subject that has been much in the news recently—namely, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence. I also want to talk about the Royal Air Force Regiment, which currently has key responsibility for protecting us in the United Kingdom. I gather that the RAF Regiment was hugely instrumental in cleaning up after the Salisbury chemical weapon attack recently. Since the second world war, the RAF has had the service lead for defending us against nuclear, biological and chemical—NBC—attacks. In 2002, the collective term was widened to include radiological attacks and thus became chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear—CBRN—defence. The RAF NBC defence capability has always been vested in 27 Squadron of the RAF Regiment. Coincidentally, that squadron was once commanded by Jock Stewart MC, who happens to be my father. I am proudly wearing an RAF Regiment tie today, because I have the real privilege of being an honorary companion of the RAF Regiment officers’ dinner club.

Apart from EU countries, states in all other continents have often sent delegations to the UK to view our RAF Regiment’s specialist capabilities with a view to replicating them in their own countries. I will not attempt to name them, as there might be security implications. RAF Regiment specialist CBRN personnel provided unique assistance to the Japanese Government and other national embassies and agencies in radiation monitoring during the Fukushima nuclear incident in 2011. As I have mentioned, their expertise was also deployed to Salisbury recently.

Following the strategic defence and security review in 2015, the decision was taken to transfer the specialist CBRN defence capability to the Army. To me, that decision lacks logic, and I hope it can be stopped. The current modernising defence programme—a mini-defence review in any other terms—provides for a timely reassessment of the required specialist CBRN defence capabilities and the opportunity to challenge the SDSR 2015 decision. The RAF Regiment has amassed considerable CBRN defence knowledge, skills and expertise over many decades, and it is the acknowledged leader in CBRN defence operations in the international community.

I will lose many Army friends by saying this, but I think that the transfer of the specialist CBRN capability from the RAF to the Army could introduce significant risks to the UK’s defence and security during a time of extreme uncertainty. I believe that the Ministry of Defence may wish to reconsider the wisdom of the planned transfer from the RAF to the Army and I very much hope that this capability will stay with the Royal Air Force Regiment, which has long-term proven expertise. Also, it is the one organisation that is judged to be a world leader in its class. Mr Speaker, I want to say thank you to you, your Deputy Speakers, the Clerks and all the staff of this great establishment for putting up with me for so long. I will now give you a break by going away and shutting up for two weeks. Thank you.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman represents no burden so far as the Chair is concerned. That was very self-effacing of him, and I wish him a very good break. I thank him for his characteristic courtesy.

Medical Cannabis

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 20th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Just before I call the hon. Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), can I ask him whether he was present at the start of these exchanges?

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

indicated assent.

[Mr Speaker]

He was. Very good.

[Bob Stewart]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I certainly was here, just silent. I support the medical use of cannabis, particularly in this case. If the Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Newport West (Paul Flynn) passes with a sufficient majority on Friday, might the Government fast-track it through the House?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 27th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. An unseemly habit is developing of Members asking a question and then proceeding to rant from a sedentary position during the course of the reply. I had a letter about that today from a member of the public, who was most aggrieved. I am sure the hon. Lady would not wish to disappoint the person concerned, and that she will recover her usual composure ere long.

I call Bob Stewart—a well-behaved fellow.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

I am not normally, but thank you, Mr Speaker.

Bearing in mind our alliance relationships, how long does my right hon. Friend think that RAF pilots will have to continue to fly above Iraq on Op Shader, as apparently Daesh is almost defeated?

Student Loans Company

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 20th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

What does my hon. Friend consider to be the most significant change brought about by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. That question is not altogether adjacent to the matter of the management and operation of the Student Loans Company. If I am being very polite to the hon. Gentleman, which I invariably am, I will say that his inquiry is at best tangential. It has at best a nodding acquaintance with the SLC, but no better than that. However, the Minister is a versatile and dextrous fellow, and I feel sure that he will be able to handle the matter eloquently and pithily.

Yemen

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Thursday 26th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Given the significant interest in the subject, I appeal for pithy questions and pithy replies. I call Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Everyone in this House totally understands that a ceasefire is the only way ahead; and it is going to come. But it is only going to come when President Hadi and the Houthis agree it. I think the Minister will agree with me that when that happens, we will expect there to be breaches of it, but we must not break the ceasefire.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Well, I suppose the Minister can invent a question mark at the end and then provide a sentence of reply—it was not a question but a statement. But can we have a brief sentence?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Sir George Howarth. Where is he? I call Mr Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

When I was a young officer serving in the British Army of the Rhine and in West Berlin, I made the assumption that article 5 was a trigger: if anyone attacked a NATO nation, every member would automatically go to war. I am wondering whether that is exactly right now or whether we have just a commitment to consult, which would take much longer than an automatic reversion to war.

Press Matters

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

1st reading: House of Commons
Tuesday 1st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Oh! Sorry. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman does not have to look quite so surprised. He was standing. Therefore, I did think he wanted to contribute. It is not surprising, if he then rises to his feet, that I call him.

[Bob Stewart]

I was just surprised that I was called so early. I am normally further down the list.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I must say that the capacity of right hon. and hon. Members for misguided self-pity is unlimited.

[Bob Stewart]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will get to it now.

We in the House unanimously agreed to support Leveson part 1. Well, most of us agreed. Is the consultation, therefore, simply a tactic to get the press on board?

Housing and Planning Bill

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 12th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

Yes.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Thank goodness.

[Mr Speaker]

I am always happy to hear the Minister’s voice, but a nod suffices for the purpose.

Under Standing Order No. 83M(4), the House must forthwith resolve itself into the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) and thereafter into the Legislative Grand Committee (England).

The House forthwith resolved itself into the Legislative Grand Committee (England and Wales) (Standing Order No. 83M).

[Mrs Eleanor Laing in the Chair]

Saudi Arabia

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 5th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman should not look quite so surprised; he was standing to speak.

[Bob Stewart]

Forgive me, Mr Speaker, I have a problem with my hearing.

The execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was clearly a real blunder, strategically, politically and in all senses, and everyone in this House believes that is so. Will the Minister outline what he thinks is good about Saudi foreign policy that helps peace and security in the region?

Falkland Islands Defence Review

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 24th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

If an Argentine Government were foolish enough to give instructions to a military officer to invade the Falklands—they had better get the message that that would be very foolish— Mount Pleasant airfield and Mare harbour would be vital ground. May I suggest—I am not asking a question, but making a statement with which I hope the Defence Secretary will agree—that the Falkland Islands Government and the Governor are also vital ground, and should be protected as well?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think that counts as a question. The hon. Gentleman is being too hard on himself.

Al-Sweady Inquiry Report

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 17th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think the hon. Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart) was asking the Secretary of State to agree with him, and the Secretary of State did agree with him. The hon. Gentleman is therefore now, I am sure, doubly happy.

[Bob Stewart]

I am, indeed, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

We are grateful.

Birmingham Schools

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 22nd July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

What an embarrassment of riches! I call Mr Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Oh dear! Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I totally support the idea of teaching British values in schools, but is there a pamphlet or booklet instructing teachers exactly what are the British values they ought to espouse and how to teach them?

UN Syrian Refugees Programme

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

I totally support the Government in the amount of humanitarian aid that they are providing, but let us be quite clear that the key to sorting this problem out is to stop the war. That will happen when one side or the other wins, but there is now a stalemate within Syria. Probably the only way ahead will be through a United Nations Security Council resolution. How are we going to get such a resolution, which would be the first step towards stopping what is happening in that very sad country?

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman’s question was extremely interesting, but it was a tad distant from the question of refugees. Perhaps with a degree of licence, however, and knowing the dexterity of the Minister, we can hear his response.

Detainee Inquiry

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Thursday 19th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is clear that the members of the Committee are not only immensely distinguished colleagues—it would be impossible to overstate the extent of their distinction—but destined to be very busy bees in the period ahead.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

My right hon. and learned Friend has already mentioned this point, as has the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), but may I reiterate how grateful we should be to the men and women of the security services? They often work in dangerous and lonely conditions, and they have to act with great gallantry, for which they get scant recognition. The House must recognise that fully.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 18th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

The Government of Colombia are making extensive efforts to counter the dreadful trade in narcotics. Will the Minister assure us that we will give that Government as much support for counter-narcotics as is possible?

[Mr Speaker]

With reference to human rights, which is what the question is about.

Algeria

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 21st January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

It is excellent that my right hon. Friend chairs our new National Security Council, but as it is a committee, may I ask if an official close to the National Security Council could operate with your authority and your confidence right across the gamut of government to ensure that we have a co-ordinated approach to dealing with international terrorism? Could that official report to you through the committee?

[Mr Speaker]

Certainly not to me, but to the Prime Minister.

Falkland Islands Referendum

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 13th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Mr Bob Stewart.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Recently the Argentine Government have accused us, the British, of militarising the south Atlantic. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the reason why we have strong, effective and deterrent armed forces on the Falkland Islands is that Argentina continues to make threats that might turn to military ones?

Scotland’s Constitutional Future

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

My constituency is in Beckenham in Kent, but I am a Scot, and I am surrounded by Scots. I have got a Stewart there, my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart), and a Stewart there, my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart). I am a Stewart; I am half a Stewart; and I have got a half-Scot beside me in the Father of the House. We are very interested in what happens in Scotland, and I would like to ask the Secretary of State how we can put our views forward properly about what happens to our ancestral homeland. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Having heard the question from the hon. Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), I am all ears; I want to hear the Secretary of State’s answer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 10th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

The question I was about to ask was properly asked by the hon. Member for Halton (Derek Twigg), so I shall sit down.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman is setting an example that others could usefully follow.

Defence Transformation

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Monday 18th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. This is an extremely important statement on which a great many Members want to catch my eye, but I am far from sure that I will be able to accommodate the majority. I would like to try, but I will need help in the form of single, short supplementary questions.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Will the Secretary of State do his very best to restrict the cuts in the Army to those who do not fight and make sure that the people who do the fighting are maintained as much as possible?

Phone Hacking

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 6th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

I, like many Members of the House, have run an organisation. Sometimes in organisations things go wrong and there are faults that might not be the fault of the person running it—but it is certainly their responsibility, and responsibility goes right to the top. Rebekah Brooks is responsible for what has happened. If she does not resign, the person above her should understand that it is his responsibility to—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I respect the hon. Gentleman’s sincerity and integrity, but interventions must be brief from now on, as otherwise we will find it very difficult to make progress.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Tuesday 24th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are immensely grateful to the Minister.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

When the Minister talks to the Ministry of Defence about voting, will he try to ensure that not just the way our servicemen and women vote but the way they are required to register is as simple as possible?.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Wednesday 30th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Speaking as someone who was very kindly treated by the Garda when I made a map-reading error in hot pursuit, may I ask my right hon. Friend what the relationship currently is between the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland?

[Mr Speaker]

I am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman, but unfortunately his question does not relate to the response to the collapse of the Presbyterian Mutual Society. I hope he will take that gentle admonition in the spirit in which it was intended.

Business of the House

Debate between John Bercow and Bob Stewart

Thursday 10th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

May I supplement the question put last week by the right hon. Member for Belfast North (Mr Dodds)? I would like a debate in the House to reconsider the question whether a Member who was elected to the House should be able to use its facilities, and possibly take allowances from the public purse, without him or her taking the Oath of Allegiance.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think a statement, not a debate on the matter is sought by the hon. Gentleman.