James Gray
MP for North Wiltshire
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that a remote rural hotel is the wrong place to house asylum seekers or refugees from their point of view? Will he therefore join me in thanking the Home Secretary for announcing yesterday that the Wiltshire Hotel outside Royal Wootton Bassett is to be returned to its proper purpose in April?
Context
The Home Secretary announced that the Wiltshire Hotel outside Royal Wootton Bassett is to be returned to its proper purpose in April.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for the question. He is absolutely right: the use of hotels is unfair on local communities and costs taxpayers £8 million a day. Our plans to reduce the number of people coming have meant that we can close the first 50 hotels across the country, with more to follow.
Session: PMQs
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Inclusion and diversity in STEM will be greatly increased and helped by the £6 million that Sir James Dyson has recently given to Malmesbury Primary School in my constituency, as well as by the STEM college he has locally. He has made it plain that it is available to all and that he intends to make sure that everyone in the town of Malmesbury and the surrounding area benefits from it.
Context
Sir James Dyson has given £6 million to a primary school and established a STEM college, aiming for inclusivity.
Andrew Griffith
I commend my hon. Friend and Sir James Dyson for that initiative. It would be wonderful to see many more such initiatives across the whole country. My colleagues and I would be delighted to work with any philanthropists seeking to do something similar.
Session: STEM Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
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What meetings has the Minister had with speculative investors to ensure that the people who build solar farms will be there in 40 years to make sure they are removed?
Context
There are concerns about speculative investors funding large-scale solar farm developments, such as the Lime Down application in the constituency.
Justin Tomlinson
My hon. Friend and constituency neighbour raises an important point about speculative development. As part of speeding up the grid queue, in which we have somewhere in the region of 700 GW of power capacity coming forward, we wish to prioritise shovel-ready schemes, not speculative schemes.
Session: Net Zero Businesses and Investors
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Maintaining freedom of passage in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap is essential for NATO. Does the Secretary of State agree with this and will he join us at a symposium to discuss Arctic defence?
Context
Importance of freedom of passage through the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap for NATO, especially during conflicts. Mention of a symposium on Arctic defence.
Grant Shapps
The point raised is important. Questions about the Russian fleet have been discussed today. The date needs to be confirmed, but there is a predisposition to attend the symposium on Thursday 8 July in Portcullis House.
Session: NATO UK Obligations
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Will the Secretary of State now tell us when he is going to reply to the Wade review? I hope that he will take due account of it and will equal up the sentences so that people who are guilty of domestic murders pay the same penalty as those who kill someone in the street?
Context
A constituent received a paltry sentence after being murdered in her home. The Wade review recognised the disparity between sentences for domestic and non-domestic murders.
Gareth Bacon
In response to the Wade review, we have increased sentences by introducing statutory aggravating factors for murders that are preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour and other factors. The Government are carefully considering responses to the consultation and will publish their response in due course.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Lord Chancellor consider one of the recommendations from the Wade report on sentencing for murder? It suggests reviewing the 'children' definition so that those close to their 18th birthday can be treated as more mature in sentencing if appropriate. Shouldn't crime seriousness, rather than age, determine this?
Context
Concerns are raised about the Wade report's recommendation to reconsider the definition of children in sentencing, particularly around age thresholds where individuals are tried and sentenced.
Alex Chalk
We have adjusted the sentencing regime so courts can take into account significant gaps between 17 and 18-year-old sentences. This allows more mature treatment in certain cases, potentially leading to a more severe punishment.
Session: Children Remanded in Custody
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Has a Minister made an assessment of how the blue belt programme can work properly if all Ministers responsible for the Arctic meet regularly?
Context
The MP questioned about regular interdepartmental meetings to discuss the blue belt programme in relation to the Arctic and Antarctic.
Andrew Mitchell
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am advised that the meeting is, I think, today.
Session: Blue Belt Programme
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If the Minister had wanted to see the impact that a massive solar farm, such as the so-called Lime Down carbuncle in my constituency, will have on local people, he should have come to Malmesbury town hall last week, where 750 people were protesting against this appalling plan in North Wiltshire. It is going to be 2,000 acres of panels, 3 million panels, 5,000 acres blighted, and 30 miles to the nearest connection down at Melksham. It is an absolutely disgraceful proposal. It comes at a time when Wiltshire has eight out of 10 of the largest solar farms. We already have enough, vastly exceeding our county target for solar production. Will the Minister consider the cumulative effect of all these solar farms? Will he ask the National Infrastructure Commission to take into account the cumulative effect of solar farms when considering such applications?
Context
The question pertains to a specific project, the Lime Down carbuncle solar farm proposed for North Wiltshire. It highlights concerns from local residents who protested against the plan due to its scale and impact on the area.
Andrew Bowie
I very much thank my hon. Friend for that question. He raises a very interesting topic, and one that we are listening to. The project he speaks to is at the pre-application stage. An application is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate between January and March 2025. Due to my quasi-judicial role in determining applications for development consent, it is not appropriate to comment on any specific matters. I am aware that some of his constituents are coming to Parliament this Thursday and I will be happy to meet them to discuss their concerns.
Session: Solar Farms Impact on Local Communities
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What assessment she has made of the potential impact of solar farms on local communities. She notes that the planning system should consider all perspectives when balancing local impacts with national need, but she seeks specifics on how this assessment is conducted and what measures are taken to ensure local benefits.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the potential negative impacts that large-scale solar farm developments may have on local communities. The issue is particularly relevant in areas where there has been a significant increase in such projects.
Andrew Bowie
As with any new development, solar projects may impact communities. The planning system considers all perspectives when balancing local impacts with national need. It is important that local areas benefit from hosting net zero infrastructure. Many developers already offer community benefit packages.
Session: Solar Farms Impact on Local Communities
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I would like to add to the warm words said about my right hon. Friend. He has been particularly supportive of the all-party parliamentary group for the armed forces, and the armed forces parliamentary scheme, both of which I chair. Does he agree that the sovereign base areas in Cyprus have a particularly important role to play in our activities in the Red sea?
Context
The MP builds on previous discussions about the strategic value of the SBAs and their role beyond just military defense.
James Heappey
Cyprus is in an incredibly important strategic location, which means that it is of great use to our operations in the southern Red sea, as well as in the eastern Mediterranean, the western Balkans, central Asia and beyond. It is a vital mountain base for so much that the UK armed forces do. We are incredibly fortunate to have that facility.
Session: Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas
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Will the Minister join me in thanking and congratulating Sir James Dyson on his recent contribution of £6 million to Malmesbury Primary School?
Context
The James Dyson Foundation in the MP's constituency has contributed £6 million to Malmesbury Primary School, promoting STEM education.
Andrew Griffith
I warmly congratulate the Dyson Foundation on that. It is a fantastic example of philanthropy. We are consulting on establishing a national academy of mathematical science, backed by £6 million of funding. The consultation ends this Sunday and I hope many hon. Members will respond.
Session: Women in STEM Jobs
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I am sure my right hon. Friend will agree with me that the rehabilitation of offenders can be greatly assisted by activity and work outdoors, in particular on farms and at horticultural establishments. Will the Minister reassure me that he is committed to increasing the quantity of work available outdoors and let me know what has happened to the prison estates in recent years?
Context
The question arises from the belief that outdoor activities such as farming and horticulture can aid in the rehabilitation of prisoners. Recent years have seen changes to prison estates.
Edward Argar
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of a range of purposeful activity for those in prison, from skilled industrial work in workshops to outside work. A good example mentioned recently on “ITV Racing”, of all things, was about getting farriers and those working in the equine world into prisons—the example was a prison in Solihull—to teach prisoners about job opportunities in the equine world. There are a range of opportunities out there, and it is important that they are available to those in our custody.
Session: Time Spent in Cells Reoffending Rates
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The whole House would like to see a larger Army, Navy and Air Force—there is unanimity on that point. Central to that must be not only the armed forces recruitment programme, but the Army centralised training scheme. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the pause in capital spending by the MOD, which was announced last week in the press, will not affect those two schemes, and that they will continue in as full-blooded a way as they are at the moment?
Context
There was a reported pause in MOD capital spending, which raised concerns about its impact on the armed forces recruitment programme and Army centralised training scheme.
Grant Shapps
My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that there is no pause. The approvals are flowing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Agreeing with the Minister on the importance of a continuous at-sea deterrent for UK defence, how can we ensure Trident is replaced within budget? What would be the impact of an SNP Government in Scotland?
Context
The MP is concerned about the financial feasibility of replacing Trident within budget constraints, especially considering potential political changes.
James Cartlidge
I agree 100% with my hon. Friend that we must find a way to replace Trident within budget, and the worst possible thing would be an SNP Government in Scotland.
Session: Trident Renewal
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Has the Government assessed or plans to assess the merits of Labour's proposals to close tax loopholes affecting non-domiciled individuals, private schools, and private equity?
Context
Concern over tax avoidance and the need to close loopholes for non-doms, private schools, and private equity to fund public services.
Nigel Huddleston
The Government supports measures against tax avoidance but criticises Labour for opposing such measures in the Finance Bill without proposing alternatives. No direct response to the assessment inquiry.
Session: Tax System Fairness
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From the floods to the fires, from melting ice sheets to ocean heat, the climate crisis is reaching a tipping point. Labour has a plan at home: doubling onshore wind, trebling solar and ending new oil and gas licences in the North sea. Labour has a plan internationally: a clean power alliance of developed and developing countries to drive forward the transition. Is it not the truth that the Government have no plan and have squandered Britain's climate reputation to wage culture wars at home?
Context
The question stems from the Government's handling of the climate crisis, with Labour criticizing a lack of plan for home and internationally.
Andrew Mitchell
The reason the Government were able to reduce the size of electricity bills for hard-working families was precisely because we are meeting our targets and will meet our international commitments. Britain's international targets and commitments are enshrined in law as a result of the activities of this House. Internationally we are committed, as the right hon. Gentleman knows and as was set out to the House towards the end of last year, to spending £11.6 billion on ensuring that we meet our climate targets and produce climate finance. I would argue that that figure will be nearer £16 billion by 2026.
Session: Climate Change Adaptation
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Is my right hon. Friend concerned about the volcanic activity in Iceland at the moment? The P-8 regularly uses Keflavik airport near Reykjavik. Could that be interrupted by the threatened volcanic activity?
Context
Concerns about the potential for Icelandic volcanic activity to disrupt air travel and, consequently, surveillance missions.
James Heappey
To the relief of people everywhere hoping for a Christmas getaway, I am told that this particular volcanic ash is not the same as that of last time and thus does not pose such a threat to aviation. However, we are, of course, monitoring it carefully and have contingencies.
Session: RAF Surveillance Aircraft
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I welcome the Minister to his role. I hope he will share his predecessor's enthusiasm for, and commitment to, science. Climate change presents huge challenges and huge opportunities. Labour would champion university clusters and spin-outs as engines of sustainable regional growth. Great green job-creating businesses such as Low Carbon Materials, a Durham University spin-out, and Airex, an award-winning retrofit start-up, are bogged down by Tory red tape, with some new products subject to 11 different regulators. Will the Minister adopt Labour's proposal for a regulatory innovation office to unblock the system, end damaging uncertainty and drive much-needed growth?
Context
The issue pertains to the challenges faced by green businesses due to regulatory hurdles, which Labour proposes to address through a regulatory innovation office.
Andrew Griffith
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, and look forward to working collaboratively with her. I absolutely share my predecessor's determination to drive forward British science, including the all-important work on net zero.
Session: Net Zero Technologies University Research
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To pay tribute to Miss Amy Swash's contributions to raising awareness about veterans' issues.
Context
Amy Swash has been running the all-party parliamentary group for the armed forces and will leave shortly.
Andrew Murrison
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, I add tributes and express admiration for the armed forces parliamentary scheme's work in informing and educating colleagues.
Session: Support for Veterans
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We were all delighted that the Government appointed an independent inquiry chaired by Lord Etherton to look into the disgraceful treatment of LGBT soldiers, sailors and air people before 2001 and the fact that those wrongs have not yet been put right. That report was given to the Government some three weeks ago now, and I understand that the Government have said they will produce it before the summer. Will they also answer the report at that time, will they give us a date for it and will there be an oral statement in this House, so we can quiz the Government on the report?
Context
The MP is inquiring about the Government's response to an independent inquiry report on the treatment of LGBT service members before 2001, and seeks a date for the government's answer and an oral statement.
Kemi Badenoch
I will speak to my ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence who have received the report, and ensure that my hon. Friend receives a response.
Session: Equality Act 2010 Public Bodies
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Local authorities have a presumption in favour of solar, but should they not also consider the cumulative effect of solar farms? If the new Red Barn project at Kington St Michael is added, it will be one of the largest solar farms in Britain. Will the Minister include a presumption against solar farms on grade 3a and 3b agricultural land?
Context
Wiltshire, being second largest in England for solar farms, faces concerns over the cumulative impact on grade 3a and 3b agricultural land.
Andrew Bowie
Food security is incredibly important, and we will prioritise less productive land for the deployment of solar farms. Our reforms aim to ensure that infrastructure developers consider how projects can address community concerns, engaging with them regularly during pre-application stages.
Session: Clean Energy Projects Planning System
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Will the Minister give particular attention to the Wiltshire hotel?
Context
There are concerns regarding the poor living conditions of asylum seekers at a Wiltshire hotel.
Robert Jenrick
I am familiar with the hotel in my hon. Friend's constituency and the concerns he has raised. I will take a look at that, but as I have said previously, the answer to this challenge is to stop the boats coming in the first place.
Session: Asylum Accommodation Hotels
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The LGBT community of veterans was treated unjustly from 1967 to 2000. The Government commissioned a report by Lord Etherton. Will they produce the report and make an oral statement? Will they give the apology and compensation it calls for?
Context
LGBT veterans were court-martialled, shamed and dismissed until 2001.
Andrew Murrison
The Etherton report has been delivered. It is pretty magisterial, as we would expect from Terence Etherton, with a number of recommendations that we are working through. When we respond, it will be a proper response, and I hope it will satisfy my hon. Friend.
Session: Veterans Support
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One of the seas that may become most vulnerable to deep-sea mining is the Arctic Ocean. We are extremely concerned about what the consequences may be for the environment there. The Government agreed to a moratorium on fishing in the central Arctic ocean, why can't they agree to a temporary 'no digging' agreement regarding deep-sea mining?
Context
The question concerns potential environmental consequences of deep-sea mining in the Arctic ocean as ice retreats, and calls for a temporary 'no digging' agreement.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
My hon. Friend is a great champion for and expert on all things to do with the Arctic. I will ask Lord Goldsmith to get back to my hon. Friend with more detail on that. The UK continues to take the firm position that we will engage through the ISA Council to ensure global protections.
Session: Deep-sea Mining Exploration Regulations
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When will the report of Lord Etherton on LGBTQ+ soldiers' treatment be brought before the House? Will there be an oral statement to cross-examine Ministers?
Context
LGBTQ+ soldiers from before 2001 lost rank, were dismissed, and lost pensions. Lord Etherton was appointed to look into this matter.
James Heappey
The review will be here soon. We will make sure that its lessons are learned and adopted by the Department, reflecting the values of modern British armed forces.
Session: Veterans UK
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Will the Minister reassure me that our huge contribution to the High North will be replicated, and can he tell me when negotiations will finally end?
Context
The UK's significant contributions to Arctic and Antarctic science have been supported by Horizon Europe.
Leo Docherty
I can assure my hon. Friend that the High North will be at the centre of all our scientific work, acknowledging his important role in that region.
Session: Horizon Europe
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I am very glad that the maternity unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath is rated as outstanding—we actually have very good choices in our local area. Does the Minister agree that choice is an important thing in maternity services? I am very glad that we have a first-class birthing centre in Chippenham and another in Malmesbury. One of the most important things is allowing women the choice to have the birth at home. That requires first-class midwifery support thereafter, which we also have in our area.
Context
The MP highlighted the importance of choice for women giving birth, citing examples of outstanding birthing centres and home births that require first-class midwifery support.
Maria Caulfield
Absolutely; choice is important. Only last month we published the single delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, which I am sure Members across the House will already have read. It puts women at the heart of decision making and learns from the Ockenden and East Kent inquiries, to ensure that women have better choice when giving birth.
Session: Maternity Care South-west
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One of the best ways to contribute to achieving IPCC targets is through outstanding British Arctic science. Is it not time we had a permanent research base at Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard?
Context
The UK has a strong history in polar science, but the Environmental Audit Committee found that the British base near the north pole is only manned part-time.
Graham Stuart
I do not believe this strictly comes under my portfolio, but I will ensure others on the Treasury Bench are aware of these remarks made by my hon. Friend regarding British Arctic science and polar science.
Session: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report
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My constituent Carole Gould broadly welcomes the 17 proposals in the Wade report. However, we bitterly regret the fact that only two years have been added for overkill, coercive behaviour, and strangulation; it should be a minimum of 25 years. We are also very disappointed that, of the 17 proposals Ms Wade brought forward, only three have so far been taken up by the Government. When will the Minister bring forward a consultation on the remaining 14, and how many of the remaining 14, which Ms Wade believes should form one package, will be accepted by the Government?
Context
The question arises from the Wade report's 17 proposals and Carole Gould's broad welcome for the review, but disappointment in only two years being added.
Edward Argar
Reflecting the complexity of the law in this area, our full response will be published this summer. We have accepted three recommendations and rejected one; the other 13 will be considered carefully in the light of representations made to us in the coming months.
Session: Domestic Homicide Sentencing
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What plans his Department has to consult on the options for reform in its response to the domestic homicide sentencing review. The Deputy Prime Minister published this review on 17 March, but only two years have been added for overkill, coercive behaviour, and strangulation; it should be a minimum of 25 years.
Context
The question arises from Clare Wade KC's work on a domestic homicide sentencing review and the tragic murders of Ellie Gould and Poppy Devey Waterhouse.
Edward Argar
I am very grateful to Clare Wade KC for her work on this review, and I would also like to pay tribute to Carole Gould and Julie Devey. The Deputy Prime Minister published the domestic homicide sentencing review on 17 March. We will launch a public consultation on increasing the starting point to 25 years for murders preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour.
Session: Domestic Homicide Sentencing
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This week, five young men who murdered a 17-year-old boy from Poplar with knives were pictured for the first time. Those young men received sentences totalling 93 years in prison. Although sentencing is important, this shows the Government have failed to act until it is too late—sticking-plaster politics at the heart of power. When will the Secretary of State show some leadership and lay out a proper plan for crime prevention?
Context
Five young men sentenced for murder using knives, sentencing is a form of justice but the Government have not acted until it is too late. There is a need for proper crime prevention.
Chris Philp
The Government have spent £340 million in the last three years to tackle knife crime. Hospital admissions for injuries caused by knives have dropped 19% and violent offences decreased 38% since the last Labour government left office.
Session: Knife Crime
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I am concerned that despite the battle fought with the Treasury, the £5 billion is disappointing, particularly if £3 billion goes to AUKUS and £1.9 billion to warehouses, resulting in a cut rather than an increase in defence spending. However, I was encouraged by remarks indicating more money may be available in the Budget next week. Am I being over-optimistic?
Context
The House acknowledges the Secretary of State's efforts to increase defence funding. However, there is disappointment over the £5 billion allocation as it does not meet expectations.
Ben Wallace
All Departments are within their current comprehensive spending agreement, and the next review is due in 18 months to two years. We must ensure we live within our means while seeking relief for challenges. The most important thing is ensuring defence spending's long-term upward trajectory, which has been positive since 2020. This grant continues that momentum.
Session: UK Military Capability
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Will the Arctic report highlight the excellence of British science in halting and reversing climate change?
Context
The MP is concerned about the role of British science in addressing climate change.
David Rutley
I can confirm that the refreshed UK Arctic policy will showcase the UK's significant contribution to Arctic science, with a particular focus on understanding the implications of climate change where we have a leading position.
Session: The Arctic
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When does he plan to publish his Department's Arctic strategy?
Context
The question is prompted by the need for a refreshed Arctic strategy given climate change realities.
David Rutley
We are looking to publish a refreshed UK Arctic policy framework in the coming weeks. It will be an evolution of the existing 2018 framework, “Beyond the Ice”, integrated with the UK's contribution to Arctic security.
Session: The Arctic
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In my constituency, the problem is that the house prices are incredibly high and that that is coupled with a squeeze on the private rented sector, thanks to recent tax changes on private landlords. This means that care leavers in a place such as Wiltshire have little chance of staying where they come from and were born.
Context
The MP highlighted concerns about high house prices and a squeeze on the private rented sector in Wiltshire, making it difficult for care leavers to stay in their home area.
Mims Davies
I thank my hon. Friend for raises these issues, which we have around the country. Let me assure the House that the Department for Education is looking at how it can encourage more local authorities to develop similar offers to care leavers, which was part of an independent review of children's social care.
Session: Support for Care Leavers Housing
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Does the Minister agree that this is an inappropriate location for people of this kind, who are very probably economic migrants, and will he seek to advance them elsewhere as soon as he possibly can?
Context
Concerns raised about the appropriateness and location of housing for a group of Albanian migrants moved to a golf club.
Robert Jenrick
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. We do not want to use hotels in any part of the country; we want to tackle the issue at its source. I understand his constituents' concerns with respect to the hotel in Wiltshire.
Session: Asylum Backlog
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The Secretary of State will be aware of a resolution recently passed by the Russian Duma that no vessel whether merchant or Royal Navy should pass through the waters to the north of Russia without both permission from the Russians and Russian personnel on board. Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to reassure me that if a Royal Navy vessel of any kind wants to transit through the northern sea route, either above the water or beneath it, we will do so without let or hindrance from the Russian Federation?
Context
A resolution passed by the Russian Duma requires foreign vessels to seek permission from Russia for passage through its northern waters, with conditions including on-board Russian personnel.
Ben Wallace (Minister for Defence)
One of the international treaties with the most signatures on it is on freedom of navigation across all seas. The United Kingdom stands strongly behind that and will uphold it wherever we can, hence our transit of HMS Defender in the Black sea. We will do that wherever we are able to do so in accordance with international law, and we will not be intimidated by Russia or any other nation.
Session: Topical Questions
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My constituent Paula Wren is proud to be trans and proud to be a Conservative. She would call straightforwardly for an end to the absurd practice of conversion therapy. It is completely unnecessary for trans people, and the sooner the Government can bring in the Bill, the better it will be.
Context
A constituent of the questioner, Paula Wren, is proud to be both trans and a Conservative. The issue raised is about ending conversion practices.
Kemi Badenoch
I agree.
Session: Conversion Therapy Legislation
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Given that 96% of Wiltshire's schools have service children and the end of services pupil premium at age 16, is there an argument for continuing support to these children until 18?
Context
Wiltshire has 7,000 service children in schools with many benefiting from the services pupil premium, which ends at age 16.
Andrew Murrison
The Minister acknowledges the importance of education at 18 but suggests that extending support would have significant financial implications and requires Treasury approval.
Session: Veterans Cost of Living Crisis
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Central to our battle against climate change must be our relations with the Arctic countries and the Arctic circle in general. I understand that the Foreign Office Arctic policy update document is ready to be published. Can the Minister update the House about when that document will be published and perhaps even about what might be in it?
Context
The Foreign Office Arctic policy update document is ready to be published, with updates on UK's stance and future plans for the region.
Vicky Ford
My hon. Friend is a true supporter of the Arctic region. Several of the Arctic states have published new Arctic strategies. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Asia and the Middle East, who is the Minister responsible, was able on her visit to the region very recently to talk about the UK's intention to publish a UK Arctic policy. We are looking forward to publishing a refreshed UK Arctic policy later this year.
Session: COP27
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What discussions has he had with his colleagues in the Ministry of Justice about guidelines for sentencing? When can we expect the results of that consultation to come out?
Context
A tragic case in the constituency of Ellie Gould, who was murdered by a knife-wielding boyfriend.
Tom Pursglove
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. We do have Ministers who are joint between the Home Office and the MOJ, which means that we have been able to look at some of these issues in the round. What I hope can give him some reassurance is the fact that, through serious violence reduction orders, which we are introducing through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, we are seeing a greater likelihood of people being caught, of being before the court and of receiving a custodial sentence.
Session: Knife Crime and Serious Violence
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Solar Farms and Battery Storage
08 June 2022
Responding: Eddie Hughes
Main Concerns
["James Gray is concerned about the impact of solar farms on agricultural land in Wiltshire. He cites an example of a solar farm with 166,000 panels approved despite local opposition and mentions that Wiltshire Council faces substantial barristers' costs if it turns down applications without clear justification under planning law. He also expresses worries about the fire risks associated with battery storage units and their impact on food security in post-Ukraine scenarios."]
Specific Asks
['Gray requests clarity from the Government to allow local authorities to object more broadly to solar farm applications, prohibit the use of grade 3 agricultural land for solar farms, restrict battery storage solutions that take land out of food production, encourage smaller installations on buildings instead of greenfield sites, and shorten the distance limit between grid connection and solar farms.']
1
PMQs Asked
60
Ministerial Questions Asked
0
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
22
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
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+339% above average
This MP:
60
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+132% above average
This MP:
22
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 James Gray's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.