Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Nuclear Defence Infrastructure: Parliamentary Scrutiny

24 January 2024 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Martin Docherty-Hughes Lab West Dunbartonshire

DefenceParliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Martin Docherty-Hughes raised concerns about nuclear defence infrastructure: parliamentary scrutiny in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised regarding parliamentary scrutiny of nuclear defence infrastructure
  • The Minister was interrupted to address disruptive behavior during the debate
  • The Minister reminded Members to communicate discreetly and not disrupt proceedings loudly

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Martin Docherty-Hughes Lab West Dunbartonshire

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I did not know I was so popular with Government Back Benchers. The key theme of my speech was parliamentary scrutiny. He said that Parliament is sovereign everywhere, except in the nuclear deterrent. So let me remind him that when my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) became Prime Minister in 2016, one of the first key votes in this House was on the renewal of Trident, and the majority was 355 in favour.

Other contributors (3)
  • Karl McCartney Con Lincoln

    On a point of order regarding the decorum in the debate.

  • Eleanor Laing Con Richmond Park

    Order. I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Lady, but I must say to other Members present that it is simply rude to talk. If whispering has to be done, then whisper.

  • James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk

    I congratulate the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes) on securing this important debate. It is true that we differ fundamentally on the issue of the deterrent. Indeed, there is such passion and commitment to it among Conservative Members that we have a fantastic turnout this evening.

Government Response

Eleanor Laing

Order. I am sorry to interrupt the Minister. I have said this before but everybody seems to think it is funny to ignore it. It is fine to whisper if you need to communicate with one another, but it is simply rude to talk at the top of your voice, so that I can hear what people are saying on the Back Benches but I cannot hear the Minister. It is simply discourteous.

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