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Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
20 July 2023
Lead MP
Douglas Ross
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Douglas Ross raised concerns about sir david amess summer adjournment in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Apologised for leaving early due to train strikes and acknowledged the late Sir David Amess. Discussed national issues such as Viaplay's withdrawal from the UK, highlighting concerns over job security and football coverage in Scotland. Addressed local health issues including access to GP surgeries in Burghead and Hopeman and consultant-led maternity services at Dr Grey’s Hospital. Raised infrastructure concerns about dualling the A9 road.
Douglas Ross
Con
Moray
Expressed concern over Viaplay's withdrawal from UK, advocating for free-to-air TV coverage of national football matches. Highlighted campaign to retain GP surgeries in Burghead and Hopeman against NHS Grampian's decision, emphasising the importance of local healthcare services. Discussed the long-standing issue of consultant-led maternity care at Dr Grey’s Hospital. Raised concerns about delays in dualling the A9 road and its impact on local businesses.
Fiona Bruce
Con
Congleton
Commends Brit European for its innovative approach to environmental sustainability, highlighting the company's efforts in carbon-neutral construction, renewable energy sources, and sustainable practices. Fiona also raises concerns about winter gritting on Mow Cop rural roads, suggesting improvements to local authority guidance. She discusses SpanSet Ltd's challenge with local electricity network operators regarding solar energy generation plans. Additionally, she objects to the proposed closure of Congleton station’s ticket office due to its importance for disabled customers and busy service provision. Fiona supports New Life church in Congleton as a potential family hub or spoke.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Kearns discussed securing £23 million from the levelling-up fund for social mobility improvements in Rutland and Melton, building a Borough market of the midlands in Melton Mowbray, establishing an older people’s medical technology hub, improving healthcare infrastructure with new MRI scanners and GP practices, addressing long wait times for community paediatricians, securing funds for road safety upgrades on the A1, progress on the A52 junction, school regeneration funding, and fighting against Uyghur slave labour solar panels. She also highlighted her work in supporting constituents through casework.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Discusses the need for a new special needs school in south Essex due to over-subscription of existing schools. Mentions problems faced by King Edmund School and Hockley Primary School due to RAAC and asbestos concerns, as well as local shopping difficulties in Wickford due to supermarket closures and market relocation. Also addresses issues with train station infrastructure and ticket office proposals, sheltered housing accommodation run by Notting Hill Genesis and FirstPort management company, and supports the 'The Crate Escape' campaign for animal welfare.
Laura Farris
Con
Newbury
Ms Farris discussed improvements to public transport, highlighting the introduction of a new X34 bus route funded by £2.6 million from the Government and supported by local councils and bus companies. She also raised concerns about delays caused by level crossings in Thatcham and called for solutions such as building a bridge over the railway line. Additionally, she mentioned ongoing efforts to reduce waiting times for autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses, noting recent progress but acknowledging challenges due to an 84% increase in referrals. Lastly, Ms Farris addressed water quality issues related to Thames Water's storm overflow into chalk streams and proposed linking bonus payments and dividends to environmental performance.
Elliot Colburn
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
Paid tribute to Sir David Amess, extended wishes for the summer recess to parliamentary staff, highlighted cost of living pressures affecting constituents including measures taken by the government such as energy bill relief scheme, household support fund, uprating benefits and pensions. Emphasised local initiatives like drop-in cost of living advice sessions with DWP. Raised concerns about an incinerator in Beddington and called for a review of permit variation processes for incinerators due to overcapacity. Criticised ULEZ policy implemented by the Mayor of London, noting its negative impact on businesses, the poor, and charities. Welcomed funding increase for schools but urged further childcare reforms. Discussed special educational needs in education, stressing the need to reduce waiting times for autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. Mentioned an increase in low-level crime post-pandemic and welcomed Met's new approach to attend every burglary call-out. Praised the Government’s decision on St Helier Hospital and its partnership with the Royal Marsden Hospital for improved cancer services. Thanked NHS staff and his team.
Peter Gibson
Con
Darlington
Paid tribute to Sir David Amess, discussed Darlington's progress in the levelling up agenda with £670 million investment since 2019. Highlighted the importance of connectivity and infrastructure projects like Bank Top Station redevelopment (£139M), rail heritage quarter (£35M), and the economic campus. Also mentioned concerns over car parking charges, bus services, safety measures, and off-road bikes. Emphasised educational initiatives including special school provision and T-levels at Darlington College. Addressed mental health issues and highlighted work on LGBT equality and conversion therapy ban.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Responded to Peter Gibson's speech, expressing disappointment over the missed deadline for pre-legislative scrutiny of a bill. Called for the House to come together for this process.
David Johnston
Con
Wantage
Mr Johnston thanked his staff for their support and highlighted several campaigns he has run locally. He discussed the decline of work experience opportunities due to post-COVID changes, resulting in companies such as Rebellion, Hachette, Newton Europe, NHS, Army, Elite Youth Sports, and others stepping up to offer more work experience and apprenticeship opportunities. He also mentioned organising crime summits with Thames Valley Police, addressing issues like antisocial behaviour and business burglaries, noting the police’s efforts to improve their services based on constituent feedback.
Paul Howell
Lab
Sedgefield
Commended the hon. Member for Swansea East for her work on menopause and highlighted Rob Potts' campaign to be police and crime commissioner for Durham and Darlington. Emphasised the importance of education in lifting people out of poverty, noting improvements in school ratings and new investments in local schools such as Woodham Academy and Ferryhill Station Primary School. Highlighted the need for good teachers and community engagement, mentioning specific examples like Ferryhill ambassadors and Hardwick Primary. Advocated for informed choices in higher education, stressing collaboration between universities and businesses to deliver a skilled workforce, particularly in space and semiconductor industries. Raised concerns about public transport and called for better careers information to guide students towards opportunities.
Ian Mearns
Lab
Dewsbury
Responded by emphasising the need for good quality, independent and impartial careers advice in schools to ensure that students can navigate their educational pathways effectively. Highlighted a gap in provision of such advice in many institutions.
Robin Millar
Con
Delyn
Millar argued that despite current challenges, the UK has a strong foundation built on geography, infrastructure, legal system, and cultural identity. He highlighted the Government's successful response to recent crises such as COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Millar emphasised the importance of maintaining strong internal and external relationships, noting the success of free trade deals and military coalitions. He also criticised the unintended consequences of devolution, which he sees as weakening the Union.
Nigel Evans
Con
Broadland
Evans noted that there is now an eight-minute time limit for speeches in the debate and warned that interventions will reduce the speaking time of the last person to speak. He did not provide further details or position statements.
Anna Firth
Con
Southend West
Announced the design completion of a plaque commemorating Sir David Amess in the Chamber, discussed the success of local elections with increased Conservative representation, highlighted safety improvements through additional police officers and knife detection poles, mentioned health initiatives such as reconfigured A&E departments and improved ambulance services, celebrated cultural heritage and economic development efforts like becoming a city of culture candidate and new transport infrastructure, recognised community achievements including fundraisers, arts groups, and educational excellence.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
The Home Office’s plans for RAF Scampton risk being ineffective and short-lived due to the site's complexity. There is a £300 million regeneration package ready to deliver, which would revitalise the area with commercial, aerospace, defence, hospitality, and educational opportunities. The runway would remain operational, supporting Red Arrows training flights and space innovation initiatives. However, these plans are at risk due to the Home Office's emergency powers and legal challenges.
Nigel Evans
Ind
Rhondda
Expressed congratulations to Dean Russell on his parents' emerald anniversary.
Congratulated Sara Britcliffe's speech and recognised James' graduation.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Discussed the importance of the Humber region for energy projects, freeport development, and transport infrastructure. Emphasised the need for planning system reform to ensure public services keep pace with housing developments. Highlighted ticket office closures in his constituency as an issue needing further consideration.
Marion Fellows
SNP
Motherwell and Wishaw
Paid tribute to Sir David Amess, mentioned her maiden speech in 2015, highlighted issues such as the two-child benefit cap and austerity measures. She also discussed the Poverty Action Network she established, thanked various organisations for their work, and emphasised the importance of fair treatment for disabled people and carers.
Nigel Evans
Con
Rhondda
Thanked Marion Fellows for not taking an intervention from Gavin Newlands.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Paid tribute to the late Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, expressed condolences for Margaret McDonagh, mentioned her constituency issues such as e-scooters regulation, the contaminated blood scandal, and the unsealing of documents from the Falklands inquiry. She also highlighted the Government's economic mismanagement and tax increases, citing a mortgage increase affecting 8,500 residents in Newport East by £2,300 due to the Tory mini-Budget last autumn. Morden discussed various contributions made during the debate, including those on trade unions, asylum system backlogs, secondary ticketing, Bosnia, steel industry needs, private renters protection, and work experience programmes.
Ian Mearns
Lab
Durham Central
Mentioned the wide-ranging nature of the parliamentary event, noted the theme of ticket office closures, and expressed gratitude to the rail Minister. He also paid tribute to Sir David Amess and mentioned another Member who was not present. He wished everyone a fantastic summer recess.
Nigel Evans
Con
Ribble Valley
Honoured the memory of Sir David Amess, thanked his staff and all House staff for their hard work, and expressed hope for a successful agricultural show in Ribble Valley during the recess.
Natalie Elphicke
Con
Reigate
Made a point of order regarding the Government's response to the Kirkup inquiry into avoidable baby deaths in East Kent, expressing gratitude for the work done by her right hon. Friend and thanked those who shared their grief and loss to prevent such tragedies from affecting other families.
Nigel Evans
Con
Ribble Valley
Responded to Natalie Elphicke's point of order, stating that no further statements were planned for the day but mentioned opportunities to raise similar issues when they return in September.
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