David Jones
MP for Clwyd West
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does the Prime Minister agree that this disgraceful state of affairs should be investigated by police? Does he further agree that it demonstrates why Labour is unfit to run public services?
Context
Independent members of the health board arranged for a forensic accountancy report revealing serious misconduct by senior executives, but Labour Welsh Minister demanded resignation of independent board members instead.
Rishi Sunak
I am deeply worried about the Betsi Cadwaladr hospital trust in Labour-run north Wales. It has been in special measures for six of the last eight years and the official audit said there was worrying dysfunctionality. I hope that this issue is investigated properly.
Assessment
Did not commit to an investigation by police, nor commented on whether Labour is unfit to run public services.
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Can she confirm that it is the Government's intention that the Bill should remain unamended, and, in particular, that the European Court of Justice should have no jurisdiction in any part of the United Kingdom?
Context
The Prime Minister has secured the passage of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill through the House without amendment before the summer recess.
Elizabeth Truss
I am completely committed to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. It deals with the very specific issues we face in Northern Ireland, the free flow of trade and making sure that the people of Northern Ireland are able to benefit from being part of the United Kingdom. I can tell my right hon. Friend that any negotiations will reflect the same position that is in the protocol Bill.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Government in negotiations with the EU highlight the Centre for Brexit Policy's mutual enforcement proposal to address issues arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol's application?
Context
The extension of grace periods for goods movement between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the protocol is seen as a temporary measure by Lord Trimble, indicating it may be harmful to the Belfast agreement.
Boris Johnson
The interim period extension is welcome, but the protocol's application by the EU is not protecting the Belfast/Good Friday agreement in all its aspects. The government will work to sort this out.
Assessment
Details on specific actions or proposals (like mutual enforcement) were not provided.
We Must Sort It Out
Session: PMQs
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While the extension of the grace period for the supply of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is welcome, Lord Frost is entirely right to say that it amounts in truth to no more than a temporary 'sticking plaster', so can my right hon. Friend please confirm that, unless the European Union adopts a more proportionate approach to the application of the Northern Ireland protocol, this country will do whatever is necessary, legislative or otherwise, to fix the problem permanently?
Context
The extension of the grace period for supply of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is seen as a temporary solution.
Boris Johnson
My right hon. Friend is, sadly, completely right in his analysis. There remain very serious problems in what I believe is the misapplication—the excessively legally purist application—of that protocol. What we are hoping for is some progress from the European Commission—some repairs that I think that they should make to the way this is working—but to echo what he has said, we certainly rule nothing out in our approach.
Assessment
Did not specify any concrete action or commitment beyond ruling things out without further detail
Session: PMQs
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My hon. Friend has identified the report in which I am interested. That report, as he rightly says, noted the importance of artificial intelligence in delivering transformational public services, but also noted a number of challenges. In the dying embers of this Parliament, would he be willing to leave a message for the next Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, urging that an inquiry be carried out into that report, as I believe its findings are of considerable importance?
Context
MP seeks to urge the next Chair of the Public Accounts Committee to conduct an inquiry into a recent National Audit Office report highlighting challenges associated with artificial intelligence in government.
Richard Bacon
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that it is an important subject, and the Public Accounts Committee was due to take oral evidence on it on 17 June. I will certainly draw his concerns to the attention of the new Chair of the Public Accounts Committee when I know who he or she is.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Government
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If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of National Audit Office resources to scrutinise the cost of AI in Government. The National Audit Office does have adequate resources, but it is important to evaluate its capacity to handle emerging technologies like AI.
Context
MP inquires about adequacy of National Audit Office resources given the growing use and cost implications of artificial intelligence within government.
Richard Bacon
The National Audit Office does have adequate resources to scrutinise the cost of artificial intelligence and, indeed, produced a report in March that found that AI presents Government with significant opportunities to transform public services and that the Government have identified that artificial intelligence could deliver substantial productivity gains, potentially worth billions.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Government
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Does my hon. Friend agree that we are all victims when senior Labour politicians make false and misleading statements at public inquiries?
Context
The question is raised due to concerns over false statements made by senior Labour politicians during public inquiries.
Fay Jones
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is deeply concerning that a First Minister should reveal himself to have acted in such a way, which appears to be entirely contrary. I look forward to Welsh Labour Members calling for further scrutiny of that issue.
Session: Victims of Crime Support
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Welsh Government's sustainable farming scheme would have serious impacts on rural areas?
Context
Questions the impact of a Welsh Government's sustainable farming scheme that would take 20% of prime agricultural land out of commission.
David Davies
My right hon. Friend is entirely correct. The Welsh Labour Government's sustainable farming scheme involves taking 20% of prime Welsh agricultural land out of commission in order to pursue a whole load of nebulous schemes. It will increase food miles, and will reduce our ability to feed ourselves.
Session: Cost of Living
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One benefit of the Union should be that all its citizens are entitled to broadly equivalent public services, no matter where they live. Yet in north Wales, on the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, patients are unable to access specialist medical services in England with the same ease as English patients, despite the fact that those services may not be available in Wales. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is an unreasonable and unfair state of affairs? Will he urge the Welsh First Minister to rectify that as quickly as possible?
Context
On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, patients in north Wales face difficulties accessing specialist medical services in England.
David Davies
It is deeply disappointing that on the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service, the Welsh Labour Government, which are responsible for healthcare in Wales, are unable to provide the same level of service as that received by patients who live under a Conservative-run Government running the NHS in England. It is deeply unfair that patients in Wales are waiting longer for treatment and wait longer in accident and emergency, and that those who draw attention to allegations of misspending of more than £100 million in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been sacked from their jobs.
Session: Strength of the Union
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Are the Government considering joining any other elements of PESCO besides the military mobility aspect?
Context
The UK is considering joining only the military mobility element of PESCO. The questioner seeks information on whether the government plans to join any other elements among more than 60 available.
James Heappey
We will consider those elements on a case-by-case basis, only where it is in our national interest to work with the EU for NATO and our own benefit. We are not blindly joining out of habit but based on merit.
Session: EU Permanent Structured Cooperation
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Does my hon. Friend agree that a significant cause of the current worrying state of the private rental market in Wales is the new legislation introduced by the Welsh Government? Does he also agree with Councillor David Daniels that the new law was the straw that broke the camel's back?
Context
According to Rent Smart Wales, the number of registered landlords and available properties has decreased in Wales.
James Davies
The right hon. Friend is perfectly right to raise this issue. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act may be well intentioned, but there is a shortage of housing and if we want to keep landlords in the market we need to incentivise them.
Session: Private Rental Costs
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It seems that rewarding failure is this Government's guiding principle, and even Conservative Members agree. Avanti West Coast is the worst performing operator on the rail network, but Ministers spent an eye-watering £4 million of taxpayers' money on bonuses to company executives for customer experience and acting as a good operator. Does the Minister agree that this is simply not good enough for the businesses and people of north Wales?
Context
Criticism of rewarding Avanti West Coast with £4 million in bonuses despite poor performance, leading to dissatisfaction among businesses and people.
David Davies
Many concerns have been raised about Avanti's performance. It shows why modernising the rail network across Wales is important, which the UK Government are currently doing.
Session: Rail Infrastructure Funding
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Further to the last question, my right hon. Friend will know that north Wales is part of the same economic region as the north-west of England, and it is therefore essential that it should have the same economic advantages. Can he confirm that he will be engaging not only with the Welsh Government but with Welsh local authorities and with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board with a view to ensuring that north Wales gets investment zones at the earliest possible moment?
Context
MP asked about engagement with Welsh local authorities and North Wales Economic Ambition Board to ensure north Wales gets investment zones.
Simon Clarke
My right hon. Friend is exactly right: we need to avoid there being a hard border between England and Wales, and indeed between Scotland and England, on these questions. It is vital that we make sure that we listen to the voice of business and local government as well as to MPs—my hon. Friends the Members for Clwyd South (Simon Baynes), for Ynys Môn (Virginia Crosbie), for Vale of Clwyd (Dr Davies) and for Aberconwy (Robin Millar) have already met me about this issue—to make sure that we avoid the disaster for north Wales of England proceeding with these zones and Wales not choosing to do so.
Session: Investment Zones
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As my right hon. Friend will know, there is considerable and long-standing support in north Wales for the electrification of the line between Wrexham and Bidston. What discussions has he had with colleagues in the Department for Transport about advancing this project?
Context
The MP highlights support for the electrification project in north Wales, which would link two enterprise zones.
Simon Hart
The Government recognise the importance of the line to which my right hon. Friend has referred, and I know that Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Transport for Wales have been discussing the opportunities presented by battery-powered trains. We will have further meetings with the Department for Transport about this issue.
Session: Railway Infrastructure
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Does my right hon. Friend acknowledge the need for real progress before the pre-election period? Does he anticipate that such progress will be made?
Context
The period of purdah is approaching in the run-up to the Northern Ireland Assembly election, and there has been no serious progress made. The purdah period restricts political activities.
Brandon Lewis
We aim to resolve issues quickly regardless of the pre-election period, as delays affect businesses and consumers. Every day without flexibility from the EU is another day of disruptions for products and goods necessary for daily life.
Session: Northern Ireland Protocol
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As my right hon. Friend mentioned, the Chancellor announced that 80% of English households will receive a £150 council tax rebate from April. The Welsh Government received an additional £175 million under the Barnett formula. Is it regrettable that this money has not been passed on to Welsh councils?
Context
The Chancellor has announced a £150 council tax rebate for English households, with Wales receiving an additional £175 million under the Barnett formula. There is concern that this money may not be distributed to Welsh councils.
Simon Hart
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. The Treasury was explicit in what the Barnett consequentials were for the Welsh Government, and I agree with him that families and businesses in Wales should be clear about how this money will be used.
Session: Inflation Households and Businesses
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There is tremendous enthusiasm for the levelling-up fund in both Denbighshire and Conwy. Local authorities are eager to put in their bids. When will the second round be likely to open?
Context
Enthusiasm for the levelling-up fund in Denbighshire and Conwy, with local authorities eager to submit their bids.
David Davies
The second round is expected to open in spring next year, and we look forward to receiving bids from local authorities throughout Wales.
Session: Levelling-up Fund Project Delivery
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As my right hon. Friend has said, Liverpool freeport is potentially of huge benefit not only to the city itself, but to north Wales, which is part of the same economic region. Does he agree that there is considerable potential synergy to be found, for example, between the Deeside enterprise zone and the new freeport, and will he urge the Welsh Government to grasp the opportunity and work with Westminster to maximise that synergy?
Context
Liverpool freeport has potential synergy with the Deeside enterprise zone, which could produce up to 15,000 jobs.
Simon Hart
I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend's assessment of the situation. Local authorities and port authorities are keen on this initiative, and these schemes can produce up to 15,000 jobs each. It is therefore disappointing that the Welsh Government seem to be still dragging their feet and allowing the initiative to flourish everywhere other than Wales, which is costing jobs and livelihoods.
Session: Liverpool City Region Freeport
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What discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) Ministers of the Welsh Government on maximising the potential economic benefit to north Wales of the proposed Liverpool city region freeport?
Context
North Wales and the Liverpool city region are economically interdependent, with potential synergy between Deeside enterprise zone and proposed freeport.
Simon Hart
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Welsh Government Ministers about freeports. North Wales and the Liverpool city region are interdependent, and Liverpool freeport can bring significant economic benefits for the whole region.
Session: Liverpool City Region Freeport
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Can my right hon. Friend confirm that there are no financial constraints that he is aware of that would justify this perverse and irrational policy decision or prevent the Welsh Government from deploying the vaccine as quickly in Wales as in any part of the country?
Context
The Welsh First Minister's announcement about slowing vaccine release due to potential vaccinators standing idle.
Steve Barclay
I am happy to confirm to my right hon. Friend that there are not financial constraints. The UK Government have guaranteed that the Welsh Government will receive at least £5.2 billion in additional resource to deliver their coronavirus response, including the vaccine deployment activities.
Session: NHS Funding Wales
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What steps he has taken to help ensure adequate funding for the NHS in Wales.
Context
N/A - No specific event or statistic mentioned prompting this question.
Steve Barclay
As healthcare is devolved, it is for the Welsh Government to ensure that the NHS in Wales has enough funding, using the over £20 billion of funding they receive from the UK Government through the Barnett formula.
Session: NHS Funding Wales
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As we have heard, pubs in north Wales have been closed down by the Welsh Government and their trade is being destroyed, despite the fact that infection rates in north Wales are significantly less than in much of south Wales. When my hon. Friend does speak to Welsh Ministers, can he urge them to adopt a more intelligent and nuanced approach to covid restrictions? Otherwise, many of those pubs will never reopen.
Context
Pubs in north Wales have been closed despite significantly lower infection rates compared to south Wales, leading to concerns about the impact on businesses.
David Davies
As I have just said to my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton), we would welcome the Welsh Government working in tandem with the UK Government to bring in a tiered system, so that in areas with a low incidence of the virus fewer restrictions are put in place. I believe that is an approach the Welsh Government are finally going to adopt.
Session: Pub Closures Covid-19
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As my hon. Friend will know, the border between England and north Wales is densely populated, with many thousands of people travelling across it in both directions every day for work, social and business purposes, and many other purposes too. However, the Welsh Government have sought to close that border, causing considerable inconvenience and disruption to those people. What future arrangements can be put in place to ensure that there is no repetition of this disruption?
Context
The MP highlighted the disruption faced by people due to the Welsh Government's decision to close the borders, affecting work, shopping, and social activities.
David Davies
My right hon. Friend is certainly right that these closures have caused a certain amount of confusion for people living along the border, but I am not sure that they have been sensible.
Session: Covid-19 Restrictions
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The spring selling season will soon be upon us. Across the country, against the background of the coronavirus crisis, farmers will be concerned to establish whether they will be able to buy and sell their livestock. Can the Secretary of State give any reassurance to farmers as to the extent to which they will be able to use their local farmers auction markets?
Context
There are concerns about whether farmers will be able to buy and sell their livestock due to restrictions.
George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are looking into that issue, but it is obviously critical to keep the food supply chain moving.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can my right hon. Friend confirm that, when we have completed the transitional process, everything possible will be done to ensure that Welsh firms have the chance to bid for those contracts?
Context
Welsh construction and civil engineering firms complain that EU procurement rules prevent them from bidding for contracts in Wales.
Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)
Absolutely. I could not agree with my right hon. Friend more. That is one of the great benefits of leaving the European Union.
Session: Public Bodies Buying British
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Does my right hon Friend agree that it is essential that in the design of the architecture of the fund, the priorities of local authorities and the interests of the people they serve should be properly reflected?
Context
Discussion about the shared prosperity fund's role in benefiting all parts of Wales post-Brexit.
Simon Hart (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales)
I thank my right hon Friend for the advice that he has so generously given me over the years. It should be a source of encouragement that the early conversations I have had with the relevant Ministers, including the First Minister in Cardiff, suggest that they are as attuned as we are, or are certainly getting that way, to the need to ensure that the shared prosperity fund money that will be benefiting Wales is targeted at the areas where it is most needed and recognise the arguments being made across all parts of Wales.
Session: Shared Prosperity Fund
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Low-carbon Off-gas Grid Heating
16 June 2022
Responding: Greg Hands
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the significant undertaking to replace oil-fired systems in rural homes and businesses that are not connected to the gas grid. Over 4 million people live and work in these communities, where many properties are old and draughty, with 47% of such homes built before 1949. Only 3% of off-gas grid homes achieve an energy performance certificate rating of band C, meaning they require significant investment for electrified heating. The Government's proposals to ban the installation of replacement fossil fuel boilers in rural areas from 2026 and in larger businesses from 2024 are particularly pressing, while on-grid homes won't see changes until 2035. Rural household incomes are smaller than urban ones, making heat pump installations more difficult for many households to afford, with an average cost of £12,000 plus additional retrofitting costs."]
Specific Asks
["The Government should reconsider the 2026 deadline and align it with their plans to phase out all fossil fuel boilers by 2035. They should adopt a 'heat-pump ready first' approach targeting post-1970 homes, on and off grid. The Government must also provide a choice of heating systems and support other technologies such as hybrid heat pumps, bioliquids, and biogases to enable affordable decarbonisation for rural homeowners and businesses."]
Smoke-free Society by 2030
23 March 2021
Responding: Jo Churchill
Main Concerns
['The ongoing issue of smoking persists across the UK despite a decrease in smokers. Smoking-related illnesses disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, ethnic minorities, and those with mental health conditions. Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics show declining intentions to quit smoking since 2015, and Cancer Research UK predicts that adult smoking prevalence in England will not reach 5% until 2037, instead of 2030. This indicates a need for faster progress.']
Specific Asks
["The lead MP asks the government to take action by embracing new opportunities provided by Brexit to regulate reduced-risk smoking products and create a robust framework for tobacco harm reduction. He urges the Minister to set out the Department's progress on revising regulations and confirm the publication date of the tobacco control plan."]
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
Iran-Israel Update
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cyber-security and UK Democracy
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
19 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Illegal Immigration (Offenders and Other Risks) Bill - After Clause 5
18 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
This amendment seeks to disagree with Lords Amendment 1, which implies that the legislation is not compliant with the rule of law. The Government believes that this Bill does comply with international...
Gibraltar: UK-EU Negotiations
11 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Welsh Affairs
29 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr Crabb opened the debate by expressing disappointment about the scheduling of the annual St David’s day debate, and emphasised its importance for Welsh Members to raise matters of significance. He h...
Death of Alexei Navalny
19 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defending the UK and Allies
15 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
4
PMQs Asked
22
Ministerial Questions Asked
78
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+61% above average
This MP:
22
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-21% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1511% above average
This MP:
78
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks David Jones's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.