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Question
Welcomes the statement and announces Labour's support for celebrating Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee with an extra bank holiday. Mentions the positive impact of national celebrations such as the London Olympic games in 2012, highlighting the unity it brought despite challenges. Acknowledges the Queen’s role in uniting diverse Commonwealth nations and her comfort during difficult times.
Minister reply
Gratefully acknowledges Labour's support for the jubilee celebration. Emphasises Her Majesty’s contribution to nation-building and comfort given during the pandemic. Hopes the upcoming celebrations will provide an opportunity to thank the Queen for her service.
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Question
Welcomes the announcement of the extra bank holiday and suggests it could be an opportunity to reset UK tourism. Asks if the Secretary of State will commit to implementing recommendations by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee for a national campaign to restore consumer confidence in tourism.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the challenges faced by the tourism sector due to pandemic restrictions. Hopes 2022 can provide an opportunity for recovery and showcasing UK’s best features internationally. Will carefully examine all proposals outlined, including those from Julian Knight.
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Question
Seventy years in the one job is a remarkable achievement, and we on these Benches congratulate the Queen on the occasion of her platinum jubilee. My mother was a left-wing Scottish nationalist who had a soft spot for the Queen despite not being a natural monarchist.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments and put on record my thanks to the Scottish Government, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments for their support in bringing this together. We want to make this celebration memorable.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend recognise the sense of duty of not just the Queen but Princess Anne, who visited Harlow citizens advice bureau recently? Will he also pay tribute to Harlow CAB?
Minister reply
I join my right hon. Friend in paying tribute to Harlow citizens advice bureau and other CABs up and down the country for their support during this difficult coronavirus period.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
The platinum jubilee is a wonderful prospect. I suggest giving each school in the UK a small seedling tree to plant as part of their contribution to help the environment.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes a very good suggestion. We are looking at the idea of a Queen’s green canopy, working with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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Question
Will he commit to coming forward with further statements when he can announce as part of the celebrations an unveiling of a new statue of Her Majesty the Queen and a statue of Dame Vera Lynn? And will he fix something that is an obvious omission?
Minister reply
Of course, we are considering exactly that proposal and we will make further statements shortly.
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Question
I thank the Secretary of State for the encouragement he gives us all across the UK in relation to the celebration. Will the right hon. Gentleman clarify that as well as being a part of the national events, Northern Ireland will see additional funding to ensure they are able to celebrate?
Minister reply
We want to ensure this jubilee is celebrated by all generations and people from all different backgrounds and all nations of our United Kingdom. We are discussing the settlement with the Treasury as part of the spending review.
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Question
On that theme, may I ask that when the Secretary of State looks at the programme, he ensures that a senior member of the royal family spends some time over those four days in Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the affection for Her Majesty shown by the people of Northern Ireland, and I am quite sure that senior members of the royal family will be travelling to Northern Ireland as part of the celebrations.
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Question
Will he tell the House, as a commitment to the Union, whether he has had chance to address calls from across Wales to commemorate St David’s Day with its own dedicated bank holiday?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. We are working very well with the Welsh Government and my officials are in close contact. On her point about St David’s Day, there are many calls for bank holidays.
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Question
The celebration of Britain’s first ever platinum jubilee will mean that the eyes of the world are placed firmly upon us. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the jubilee celebrations present an exciting opportunity to showcase the very best of Britain’s cultural and artistic talents?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the great talent in her constituency. It is one of the great opportunities of this jubilee to harness the talents of the creative industries and the best of British tech as we look back in ceremonials and forward with new concepts.
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Question
As we come out of the coronavirus pandemic and look to recover over the next few years, it is vital that we focus our money and attention on those most in need of our support. Does the Secretary of State agree?
Minister reply
Of course, we are providing support for those hardest hit, although I shall not go through all the detail of that at the Dispatch Box now.
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Question
I dissociate myself from the remarks made by the hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill. I warmly welcome the platinum jubilee bank holiday.
Minister reply
I am delighted to join the people of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland in expressing that.
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Question
Expresses respect for the Queen and asks if the Secretary of State will ensure that the creative industries are utilised during the jubilee celebrations.
Minister reply
Commits to ensuring opportunities for the creative industries, not just for the platinum jubilee but also for the festival of the United Kingdom in 2022.
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Question
Highlights the importance of proclaiming the virtues of the monarchical system and the union between Scotland and England during the celebrations.
Minister reply
Agrees that the jubilee is an opportunity to remind us of the benefits of monarchy, including its role in the Commonwealth.
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Question
Expresses support for Queen Elizabeth II but suggests that another bank holiday will be welcomed by many as Scotland moves towards independence.
Minister reply
Responds by stating that millions of Scots will look forward to celebrating the jubilee more than a celebration of narrow nationalism.
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Question
Asks if small grants can be made available via the national lottery for community groups to organise events.
Minister reply
Commits to working with the national lottery and looking at ways to support celebrations in every part of the country.
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Question
Highlights the importance of celebrating both continuity and change during the jubilee, including technological and social changes.
Minister reply
Commits to engaging with young people and showcasing British technology as part of the jubilee celebrations.
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Question
Praises the Queen's dedication to her constitutional duties and asks if she has been a rock in turbulent times.
Minister reply
Agrees that the Queen genuinely takes an interest in matters of state, as many Ministers and former Prime Ministers attest.
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Question
Asks for a personal commitment to hold events around the country, including one in north Nottingham.
Minister reply
Commits to supporting an event in north Nottingham and every town and village up and down the nation.
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Question
Suggests that the jubilee is an opportunity to reaffirm links with Commonwealth nations.
Minister reply
Agrees that links to Commonwealth nations are one of our greatest strengths, and Her Majesty has done much to promote them.
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Question
Asks if the Queen's ability to unify the four nations will be reflected in jubilee celebrations.
Minister reply
Commits to celebrating the remarkable Union of our four nations, possibly the most successful union of nations in modern history.
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Question
Asks if there will be events up and down the country for constituents to participate in.
Minister reply
Commits to year-long celebrations with different moments on the four days of the bank holiday weekend, reflecting thanksgiving and celebration.
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Question
Highlights changes during Queen Elizabeth's reign and asks for diverse celebrations, including events in small towns.
Minister reply
Commits to ensuring that everyone feels they can come together and celebrate, reflecting the diversity of modern Britain.
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Question
With the positive news this week that there is a vaccine on the horizon, we can look forward to a future in which we can start to get back to normal. Will my right hon. Friend work with me to assist those in North Devon who will be planning to celebrate our monarch, who has served us in both good times and bad?
Minister reply
Yes, of course. I am sure that North Devon will put on a fantastic show to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee and, further to the question asked by the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), there are opportunities to have celebrations in each part of the UK, in every town and village, and to come together for larger national celebrations as well.