Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Tuesday 1st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think that we are about to hear the prodigious knowledge of the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) on the Moray growth deal. Wonders never cease.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

21. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Local growth deals like Moray’s would greatly help regional development. The shared prosperity fund would greatly help with improvements to the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff train line, so will the Minister please meet me to consider that possibility?

Business of the House

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 20th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Stone (Sir William Cash) judged that the situation had changed since his submission of the urgent question, and presumably it had changed to his satisfaction. I know no further than that. I am not surprised that the Leader of the House did not sit on the hon. Member for Stone, and indeed I should be very surprised if any Member on the Treasury Bench attempted to do so, for there has been one consistent thread in the career of the hon. Member for Stone and that is that he has had a relationship with the Whips characterised by trust and understanding—I do not think he has always trusted them and they most certainly have not always understood him.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that employers should help their staff to take part in physical activity. This measure would improve mental and physical health, and support our NHS, so may we have a statement from the Government about promoting physical activity in the workplace?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Monday 10th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) is welcome to shoehorn his inquiry, Question 16, conveniently into Question 14, if he so wishes, but it is not obligatory.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

16. I have been working with Gwent police and local residents regarding alleged criminality in the village of Cwm. The local police have been great, but clearer 101 call information would ease victims’ concerns. May I ask the Home Secretary to encourage the police to provide more detailed call centre data, including out-of-hours response times and geographic information, for better public involvement and support for our police services?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

In calling the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith), I take this opportunity to wish him a very happy birthday—might I suggest the 49th?

[Nick Smith]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very kind of you to give me your best wishes.

Does the Minister not accept that the number of fully trained personnel in each of the armed services is now lower than it was this time last year, making a mockery of the Conservatives’ manifesto pledge to maintain the overall size of the armed forces?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 20th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think we appreciate the Minister’s candour. There was no dissembling there, and we thank him for that.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Merry Christmas to everybody.

Will the Minister confirm that any future trade agreements will not undermine current environmental and animal welfare standards?

Police Pension Liabilities

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Tuesday 6th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The House will have noticed that the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) has perambulated. He was over there!

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

I am trying to get your attention, Mr Speaker. What does the Minister suggest Gwent police do: cut 100 police officer jobs or make local precept payers make up the difference?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Wednesday 24th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

It is always a pleasure to hear the dulcet tones of the hon. Gentleman, but I said “Owen” rather than “Nick”.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. This is about non-funded pension schemes, not funding pay rises. It was a nice try, and the hon. Gentleman is a cheeky chappie, but we will leave that one there and come to the other Smith, Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

What is the Minister going to do to protect police numbers, given these financial pressures?

Business of the House

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 7th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I hope colleagues will want to join me in congratulating the hon. Members for Southend West (Sir David Amess) and for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) in the week, if memory serves me, that they mark the 35th anniversary of their election to the House. They have served continuously ever since their first election.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

This July sees the 70th birthday of the national health service. Our House should celebrate this brilliant institution and its architect, one of my predecessors, Aneurin Bevan. May we have a debate in Government time to look at the services, the funding and the future of this much loved public service?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 24th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

I am bound to say that Lewisham station is a very considerable distance from Blaenau Gwent, which the hon. Gentleman represents, but perhaps he has a connection with south-east London of which I am unaware and about which I am shortly to be enlightened. Who knows? I call Mr Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith]

Rail accessibility is an important topic, so will the £430 million saved by not electrifying the Cardiff to Swansea line still be spent in Wales?

[Mr Speaker]

Very naughty indeed!

Point of Order

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 3rd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Will you advise us on the best way to introduce money resolutions, so that the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill, which is in the legislative pipeline, can be brought forward as soon as possible?

[Mr Speaker]

The answer to the hon. Gentleman is that money resolutions are brought forward only on the say-so of Ministers. That is the way the system works. I am conscious of some unease on this matter—an unease that should have been heard, and must be heard, on the Treasury Bench. People are awaiting such resolutions, and it would be appreciated if colleagues felt confident that there was a logic and reasonableness to the decision-making process. Nevertheless, I must say to the hon. Gentleman that it is not a decision-making process in which I am involved. The Leader of the House is seated on the Treasury Bench and will have heard what the hon. Gentleman had to say.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 1st March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Notwithstanding what the Minister said about the hat—he talked about taking his hat off—I would not have thought he would want to do so in the present weather, as a protective function.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Many community transport operators use diesel vehicles, so what representations have the UK Government made to the German Government to hold Volkswagen to account for its emissions scandal?

Points of Order

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Monday 5th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During business questions last Thursday, I asked the Leader of the House about the “eye-watering” interest rates charged by rent-to-own firms. In response, she said that the Financial Conduct Authority

“has capped the interest rates that such companies are allowed to charge”—[Official Report, 1 February 2018; Vol. 635, c. 1002.]

Unfortunately, no such cap has yet been placed on these interest rates. I thought that I would aid the Leader of the House by clarifying the point for the record.

[Mr Speaker]

Well, the hon. Gentleman has achieved his objective. Moreover, he may feel gratified that the Leader of the House is in her place. She is under no obligation to say anything, but she is welcome to do so if she wishes.

Points of Order

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Wednesday 20th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In the Budget debate, I raised the issue of steelworkers transferring out their pensions. Some financial advisers are fleecing steelworkers, and the regulators have been unco-ordinated and complacent. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury promised me a response to my speech, but none has been forthcoming. Mr Speaker, do you know whether the Government will be making a statement on this urgent matter?

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me notice of his intention to raise that point of order. I recognise that the matter is of considerable concern to him, to many other Members and, indeed, to their constituents. The simple fact is that, as things stand, I have received no indication of any intention on the part of a Minister to make a statement on this matter. Therefore, I am not at present expecting a Minister to offer to do so before we rise for the Christmas recess. However, it is open to the hon. Gentleman to raise the matter at business questions tomorrow, and he is sufficiently experienced in the House to know that a range of mechanisms is open to him to try to secure the attendance in the Chamber of the responsible Minister. I am sure that he will apply what Hercule Poirot would describe as his “little grey cells” to seeking satisfaction on the matter.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 23rd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We will leave that open to the imagination, but I think it is safe to say that the right hon. Gentleman will always shine brightly on the outer edges of the galaxy.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

At the last Transport questions, and again today, the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes) has been bullish about Volkswagen executives facing criminal charges for the diesel emissions scandal in the UK. How is that going?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 8th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We certainly do not want the right hon. Gentleman to go to the cellars and stay there until 2022; we would miss him greatly.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

On timetabling, can the Deputy Leader of the House say what progress has been made in government in securing a money resolution for the Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by a majority of 216 on Second Reading four weeks ago?

[Mr Speaker]

That has nothing to do with sitting in September 2017. The House is in a very curious mood today; questions are very interesting, but they suffer from the disadvantage of bearing little or absolutely no relation to the matter on the Order Paper. But the Deputy Leader of the House is a barrister, so if he cannot respond, nobody can.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 7th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Cheers, Mr Speaker. [Laughter.] I am glad that the food unit is showing success. However, while the Secretary of State boasts about her support for British food, DEFRA headquarters sources almost half its food from overseas, and other Departments are falling even further behind. Why is DEFRA not ensuring that Departments back our great British food?

Points of Order

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 10th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is extraordinarily public spirited of the hon. Gentleman to seek to help me with the arithmetic in case I was not able to manage it for myself, but I am deeply obliged to him for his point of order. What I would say to him in response is that all Members of the House, including Ministers, are responsible for the content of their answers and other statements to the House. If a Minister has made an error inadvertently—I think the hon. Gentleman acknowledges that it would be inadvertent—it is up to the Minister to correct the record. The hon. Gentleman has effectively drawn the matter to the attention of the Minister by raising it in the Chamber and it will be in the Official Report. I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that that is the effect of what he has done. We will leave it there for the time being, but I know that he will be keeping an eye on the matter.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Is it in order to raise a matter affecting another Member’s constituency without giving notice? The hon. Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen) has just said that the Welsh Government support may distort markets. I understand that any Welsh Government support for a race track in my constituency is absolutely above board. I suggest that the—

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I will help the hon. Gentleman.

[Nick Smith]

I suggest that the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman does not need to pursue his point of order any further; I am extremely grateful to him for what he has said thus far. He asked me a question and the answer is that what the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire did was in order. If a Member were to raise a matter very narrowly focused on an individual constituency that was not his or her own, it would normally be thought courteous to notify that Member of the intention. If, as in this case—I hope my short-term memory is not deserting me—a Member raises a matter relating to the Welsh Government and a particular policy, he is not under any obligation to notify Members. The hon. Gentleman has required the time to go on to explain what the implications could or could not be, but in this case the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire has not erred. The hon. Gentleman has taken the opportunity to air his particular point and I know that he will feel appreciative of that fact.

Bill Presented

Immigration Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Theresa May, supported by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Chris Grayling, Mr Secretary Pickles, Mr Secretary Hunt, Mr Secretary McLoughlin, Mr Francis Maude, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr David Laws and Mr Mark Harper, presented a Bill to make provision about immigration law; to limit, or otherwise make provision about, access to services, facilities and employment by reference to immigration status; to make provision about marriage and civil partnership involving certain foreign nationals; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 110) with explanatory notes (Bill 110-EN).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 28th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I have been informed that the microphones are not working. I am sure that the Minister will make himself heard.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Why are the Government not more committed to railway infrastructure? According to the National Audit Office in the 2010 spending review, they cut planned spending on rail by £1,287 million.

Business of the House

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 13th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is a curious phenomenon in the House that when there are fewer Members standing—and fewer are standing today than is often the case at business questions—exchanges seem to lengthen to absorb available time. May I gently exhort the House to be pithy because there is a statement to follow and other business. If we can treat these matters succinctly, that would help.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

May we please have a statement on undiagnosed cleft palates in new babies? The Royal College of Surgeons has found wide variations across the UK. In North Thames, only 42% of cleft palates are identified at birth, whereas in Oxford the figure is 94%. The Government really must do better by mums and babies on this issue.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Wednesday 4th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith]

The Secretary of State is aware of the so-called punishment attacks by paramilitaries on young people in Northern Ireland. These attacks are increasing, particularly in Derry, by a group styling itself Republican Action Against Drugs. What every community needs is strong policing, not vigilantes. Will he proscribe this group? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I remind the House that we are discussing the security situation in Northern Ireland? This is a matter of the utmost seriousness, and I think that some display of attention would be appreciated by the people of Northern Ireland.

Carrier Strike Capability

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 10th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We can leave it at that. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), but in future, a question mark would be appreciated.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State confirm if he has investigated whether Mr Adam Werritty met any companies or lobbyists involved in the original very bad decision?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Gerry Sutcliffe. Not here.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the management and disclosure of evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Defence Reform

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Monday 27th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The Secretary of State should not be quite so hard on himself.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State tell us more about how these reforms will deter future cyber-attacks?

Health

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Tuesday 21st December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister is of course welcome to take the hon. Gentleman’s intervention, but she still has a few contributions to respond to, and we need to make some progress.

[Nick Smith]

I welcome the proposal to ask local authorities to take responsibility for public health—in the round, that is a good thing—but will they get the resources to do that job?

Business of the House

Debate between John Bercow and Nick Smith

Thursday 24th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Mr Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Yesterday in Parliament the Prime Minister said, in regard to employment, that the Government would

“introduce our work programme, which will be the biggest, boldest scheme in…. history”.—[Official Report, 23 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 288.]

Unemployment in my constituency is almost 12%. The Labour Government’s future jobs fund has been a tremendous success, creating nearly 500 jobs, but when will we have a proper debate? When will we have further discussion and much more information about this important subject?