Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 2nd May 2019

(4 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am not altogether sure of the link between Brecon and Radnorshire and the Shipley eastern bypass, but I have a feeling that I am about to be enlightened by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Chris Davies).

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies
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All will be revealed, Mr Speaker. Has my hon. Friend the Minister had any recent discussions with the Welsh Government over the urgent need for the M4 relief road, which will provide quicker and better access from Wales to Shipley and the rest of the UK?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Tuesday 12th February 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. No, no. Last time I visited Ochil and South Perthshire, the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, it was a most stimulating experience, but my recollection is that the constituency was a considerable distance from Yorkshire. I call Chris Davies.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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And Wales is even further, Mr Speaker. [Laughter.]

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Well done.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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13. What plans he has to support manufacturing in the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 31st January 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Perhaps we can get through the remaining questions without replies that take a minute and a half. Hopeless! Sorry, but hopeless!

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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4. What steps his Department is taking to support tourism throughout the UK.

Michael Ellis Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Michael Ellis)
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Tourism is an incredibly important part—one of the most important parts—of the UK economy, generating £68 billion a year and employing more than 1.5 million people. Visit Britain and the GREAT campaign, backed by significant Government support, continue successfully to promote the UK internationally.

--- Later in debate ---
Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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I know what the Government want, Mr Speaker. So—[Interruption.] I think our colleague was going to ask a question.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies
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If the Minister does not mind, I will ask my question before he answers it!

In my beautiful constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire, the River Teme runs through the scenic Teme valley into Shropshire, the River Wye runs through the idyllic Wye valley into Herefordshire, and the well-trodden tourist trail of Offa’s Dyke—where one can walk with one foot in England in one foot in Wales—runs down my constituency border. Will my hon. Friend confirm that his Department will ensure that rural tourism is indeed cross-border?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman’s question was charming, but it was too long.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 22nd November 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I do not wish to disappoint the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr Seely), but he does have Question 9, which will be reached and is grouped, so it is mildly inconvenient to call him any earlier than that. We are keeping him waiting, but it will be worth waiting for, I feel sure.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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Is there any advice that the Secretary of State can give to the Welsh Transport Minister? Changes to the franchise and timetable changes have resulted this week in the chief operating officer coming out with a statement saying that too many trains have been cancelled, delayed or have arrived late, with fewer carriages than normal—and that is under a Labour Government.

Agriculture Bill

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Wednesday 10th October 2018

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Chris Davies.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. I preferred the way my right hon. Friend was conducting matters, as I would have been called first.

Is a specific, ring-fenced budget for agriculture to be agreed under the Bill? Will there be ring-fenced provision for the devolved Governments in times to come?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 26th April 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Ah. Let us hear from Chris Davies; he knows about these matters.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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Can my hon. Friend reassure upland food-producing family farmers that they have a future under his Department’s plans?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Wednesday 28th February 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Mr Clark, you are getting over-excited. I was calling Chris Davies, the hon. Gentleman behind you.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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Q4. May I start by wishing you, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister and the whole House a very happy St David’s day for tomorrow? I thank my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for taking representatives of Riversimple, a leader in the field of hydrogen-powered automotives that is based in Brecon and Radnorshire, on her recent successful trade visit to China. What are the Government planning to do to help regional small and medium-sized enterprises to make the most of potential trade opportunities with emerging markets once we leave the EU?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 26th October 2017

(6 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies
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I thank my right hon. Friend for her answer and for the welcome news that it contained. What steps is the Church taking to ensure that the diversity of those being considered for ordination better reflects the country as a whole? While answering, will she join me in congratulating the Most Rev. John Davies, the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, on becoming the 13th Archbishop of Wales—the first from that diocese?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Perhaps he is a relative of yours.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Wednesday 11th October 2017

(6 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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It has to be said that the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Chris Davies) always looks a very happy chappie and we are delighted to know it.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies
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indicated assent.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Wednesday 26th April 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We are extremely grateful to the Secretary of State, but we have a lot of colleagues trying to get in today.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the rural areas of Wales will be placed front and centre in a post-Brexit Britain?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 2nd March 2017

(7 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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This is very reassuring indeed.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies
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Right across the country, church buildings are central to strong local communities. Will my right hon. Friend explain whether it has been possible to provide wi-fi and broadband in listed churches and chapels to help those buildings to remain sustainable well into the future?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Tuesday 7th February 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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If the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Chris Davies) were standing because he has a cancer-related question, I would call him, but if he is not, I will not. He is, so I will.

Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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18. I am delighted to do so, Mr Speaker—thank you very much. Given that there is no general hospital in my constituency and a large number of my constituents have to travel many miles for cancer treatment, what discussions has my hon. Friend had with the Welsh Government to persuade them to fund mobile cancer treatments?

Defence Estate

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Monday 7th November 2016

(7 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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The Secretary of State’s statement will deliver a devastating blow to the people of Brecon. The town has been proud to host a barracks since 1805, and this country has been proud to receive from those barracks the servicemen and women who have defended this country. Today, as always, a large number of military and civilian personnel are based there, and they will be very concerned about the decision that has been announced. Within the barracks, there is a regimental museum, which hosts the display celebrating and commemorating Rorke’s Drift. As we all know, Rorke’s Drift was immortalised in the film “Zulu”. In the regimental museum inside the barracks, there is the largest collection of Victoria Crosses in this country. May I ask my right hon. Friend two questions? First—this was touched on earlier—will the Infantry Battle School in Dering Lines and Severn Bridge be unaffected by these cuts? Secondly, will he join me again—I repeat, again—in visiting the barracks to discuss what future role we can have?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman will know that my natural generosity got the better of me.

Brain Family: Deportation

Debate between John Bercow and Chris Davies
Thursday 26th May 2016

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Davies Portrait Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
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We have heard a great deal about the fresh talent scheme. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the fresh talent scheme that was run under the previous Labour Government was indeed flawed and did not lead to skilled migrants settling in Scotland?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. That is all very well, but it has nothing to do with Government policy now, or the particular case with which we are dealing. We must deal with things in an orderly way.