John Spellar
MP for Warley
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Can the Prime Minister rule out further freezes in tax allowances or an 8p increase in income tax to pay for the national insurance abolition?
Context
The Chancellor confirmed abolishing national insurance at a £46 billion annual cost without specifying funding sources.
Rishi Sunak
There is no unfunded policy, and we have a long-term ambition to keep cutting national insurance. Recent cuts include a £900 tax cut while increasing investment in NHS and state pension.
Assessment
Did not rule out tax allowance freezes or income tax increase explicitly
There Is No Unfunded Policy
Session: PMQs
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Much more important than government chaos dominating media headlines is the deeply unsatisfactory day-to-day experience of engaging with this Administration. When is the Prime Minister going to get a grip?
Context
The administration is perceived as dysfunctional by the public, businesses, and organisations. There are concerns about Britain not working effectively.
Rishi Sunak
The most pressing issue facing families is the cost of living, which we have addressed by delivering what was promised. We are halving inflation and providing significant tax cuts from January.
Assessment
Did not address when PM will get grip on day-to-day functioning issues.
Under Review
Under Consideration
Session: PMQs
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Day in, day out, the public and businesses are hit by endless chaos and confusion across Government Departments—for them, clearly, Britain is not working. Paraphrasing what the Deputy Prime Minister said earlier, we know there is a Government reshuffle coming up. So will he tell us: is this down to obstruction and incompetence in the civil service, or is it, rather, that so many of their Ministers are just not up to the job?
Context
There has been speculation about a government reshuffle, possibly due to incompetence or obstruction in the civil service.
Oliver Dowden
We can see from the record of this Government, whether on cutting NHS waiting lists, or on providing record funding for our schools and hospitals, that we have an excellent team who will continue to serve.
Assessment
The questioner asked about civil service issues or ministerial performance leading to a reshuffle; the answer did not address this but instead highlighted achievements of the current government.
Session: PMQs
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Dozens of Sudanese doctors, who have been working in the NHS, were stranded and not allowed to return here. Last week, the Minister for Development and Africa, the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), told us here that the Prime Minister took the decision to get them back. Why had such a straightforward decision not been made much earlier by the Home Secretary or the Foreign Secretary? Is it because the Prime Minister is an obsessive micromanager? Or is it that his Ministers are just not up to the job? Which one is it, Prime Minister?
Context
Dozens of Sudanese doctors working in the NHS were stranded, with the Prime Minister taking a direct role in their return.
Rishi Sunak
The right hon. Gentleman is completely wrong to describe as straightforward a complex and dangerous evacuation in a war zone. Actually, everyone involved deserves enormous credit for conducting what was the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan by any western country. During that process, it was right that we moved deliberately and carefully, to ensure the security of everyone involved and to prioritise British nationals and their dependants. Now that the operation is complete, we can look back and thank everyone for what was an incredibly successful operation.
Assessment
The PM did not address why he personally intervened earlier but defended the process of the evacuation.
Changing Subject
Session: PMQs
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In a couple of weeks' time I will be introducing a Bill to ban the importing of hunting trophies. Not only has that had widespread public support and support from Opposition parties, but in the past the principle has been supported by Conservative manifestos, the Queen's Speech and indeed the Prime Minister himself. So on Friday 10 December will the Prime Minister tell his Whips not to block the Bill, but to let it go forward, so that we can work together and end this vile trade as soon as possible?
Context
MP will introduce a Bill to ban importing of hunting trophies, an issue with widespread public support.
Boris Johnson
We are going to introduce legislation in this Parliament to ban the import of hunting trophies and to deliver the change that we promised.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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I shall decline that invitation, as a west midlands voter. The Prime Minister said earlier that he would use new freedoms to ensure that we buy British steel. Over the last year, the difficulties with PPE provision and vaccine production have demonstrated clearly the risks of neglecting British production capacity, let alone the impact on the prosperity and levelling-up agendas. So will the Prime Minister now instruct Government Ministers, civil servants and public bodies that when purchasing goods and services they must buy British first?
Context
Difficulties in PPE provision and vaccine production have highlighted the risks of neglecting British production capacity, impacting prosperity and levelling-up agendas.
Boris Johnson
Yes, of course—look at what we are achieving. Since the PPE crisis began—we have procured 32 billion items of PPE, and 85% of it can now be made in this country, which was completely impossible before the pandemic. Look at what is happening on vaccines: we have the Valneva factory in Scotland, and we have Novavax in Teesside, which is going to be absolutely indispensable for our future success.
Assessment
null
Session: PMQs
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Prime Minister, the current operation of the DBS is an obstacle to rehabilitation. It is inefficient, unfair, and discriminatory. The Lammy report dealt with this issue two years ago; we do not need more inquiries but action. Can you break the logjam?
Context
The rehabilitation of offenders is supported across the political spectrum, but issues with the Disclosure and Barring Service are preventing people from turning their lives around.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point about the DBS system, which is important for protecting children and young people. The Government is considering the Supreme Court's judgment and will set out its opinion in due course.
Session: PMQs
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At the end of March, I asked the Prime Minister to help the thousands of our people stranded abroad, notably in south Asia and especially in the Punjab. Grudgingly, and much slower than other countries, the Foreign Office organised fights back, but many are still stranded. Furthermore, the FCO now seems to be washing its hands of those with indefinite leave to remain, even though they may have lived and worked here for years and are the husbands, wives, parents and grandparents of British citizens. Some have described it as another Windrush scandal waiting to happen. Will Prime Minister will sort this out?
Context
There is concern over the repatriation efforts for British nationals abroad, particularly in South Asia.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. He actually nabbed me behind the Speaker's Chair after he last put it to me. I can tell him that we estimate that 1.3 million British nationals have now been returned. I know that he would like the RAF to be more involved, but I can also tell him that we have put £75 million into a charter arrangement, and a whole range of airlines have signed up to it. We are doing everything that we can to bring people back as fast as we can.
Session: PMQs
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Mr. Spellar asks for the Prime Minister's instruction to the Ministry of Defence to start charter flights and bring these people home.
Context
Tens of thousands of UK constituents are stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Yes, not every country in the world necessarily welcomes a grey tailfin—most of them do—but we are certainly commissioning charters right now, and there is a massive, massive repatriation effort going on.
Session: PMQs
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We are pleased that there was an announcement from the Prime Minister, and that the Department has plans, but what we actually need is industrial capacity. When the Department is handing out orders for fleet solid support ships to Spain; when it has taken 18 months to order munitions; when The Times today shows a significant drop in the number of apprenticeships; and when the Department admits that it still will not take past performance into account when awarding future contracts, what confidence can we have that there will be the industrial capacity, and the real orders, to enable our defence industry to be competitive and supply our forces?
Context
Concerns raised about the lack of industrial capacity in UK's defence industry, citing specific examples such as shipbuilding delays.
James Cartlidge
We are massively ramping up defence capacity. The right hon. Gentleman spoke about 155 mm shells; that issue is precisely why we have reached a contractual agreement with BAE Systems, and it will be ramping up production in Wales and north-east England. We are doing the same with ships, complex weapons and, as I said earlier, novel weapons and our science base. This is all about giving our armed forces the capability that will give them the cutting edge.
Session: Defence Sector Competitiveness
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In the 2019 Conservative manifesto, the Government committed to continuing leasehold reforms including implementing a ban on new leasehold homes and restricting ground rents. That still has not happened. What is the reason for this delay?
Context
The Government promised leasehold reforms in the 2019 manifesto, but they have not happened yet.
Michael Gove
Our Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is making great progress in the House of Lords. It will be debated today and I look forward to support when it comes back here.
Session: Topical Questions
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Joining tributes to the outgoing Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois references problems with recruitment identified by the “Ready for War?” report. He asks when the 'Crapita' will be sacked.
Context
The Minister mentioned the 'ludicrous' recruitment system, noting that a generation used to instant gratification is not prepared for long wait times.
James Heappey
Recent months have seen record expressions of interest in joining the armed forces due to geopolitical uncertainty. The time between expressing interest and training needs to be as short as possible.
Session: Armed Forces Readiness
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In his reply to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Sir David Davis), the Minister totally missed the point, because he referred to defined reasons why companies could be excluded. The Government and Parliament make the rules. They have been dragging their feet month after month, year after year, on changing that in this regard, but also in terms of supporting domestic industry, as every other major economy does. When will they sort this out?
Context
The question addresses the government's delay in changing procurement rules to support domestic industries, as other major economies do.
Alex Burghart
The right hon. Gentleman will have heard what I just said to my right hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Sir David Davis). I know that, as a lover of due process, he will believe that the statutory inquiry should appropriately have the final word on this.
Session: Public Procurement SMEs
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Does the Secretary of State agree that, in the media world, content is king, and that that is why we must support our world-leading creative talent? Will she take steps to require artificial intelligence developers to provide songwriters and composers with detailed information as to how their works are being used, including when authorisation has been granted for use of those works as training data?
Context
The importance of protecting the original work of the creative industries in relation to AI usage.
Lucy Frazer
The right hon. Member is absolutely right about the importance of protecting the original work of the creative industries. I have held a number of roundtables to ensure that we protect that originality. The Intellectual Property Office is working on that very issue, and I have been liaising with it and with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Session: Topical Questions
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What is being done to keep this vital project on track? How often is the Minister meeting his officials to monitor and chase progress?
Context
The MP expresses concern about potential delays in the AUKUS project due to bureaucratic inertia.
James Cartlidge
I am not aware of any slippage. We meet frequently and discuss this incredibly important matter. I am pleased to hear his confidence that AUKUS has cross-party support. It is generating huge numbers of jobs for the future: an additional 1,700 jobs will be created in Raynesway to build the reactors for the UK and Australia.
Session: AUKUS
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The Ukraine conflict highlights the need for a thriving defence industry. Will the Secretary of State now revisit his predecessor's policy of placing orders abroad, especially concerning the FSS ships built in foreign yards?
James Cartlidge
I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I recently visited Harland & Wolff at its Appledore yard where a significant part of the FSS contract will be made, ensuring it is done within UK industry and with British workers.
Session: Topical Questions
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Over 1,000 new homes built in Durrington. Will he ask his inspectors—and the Leader of the Opposition—to recognise that Chatsmore Farm and Lansdowne Nurseries should not be built on? We must have some green fields between one habitation and another.
Context
Development concerns in Durrington, Worthing.
Michael Gove
The Father of the House makes a very important point. Of course, his beautiful constituency—situated as it is between the sea and areas of outstanding natural beauty—has already seen significant development and we do need to ensure that settlements have the green belts around them protected.
Session: Brownfield Land Development
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May I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that the three fleet solid support vessels for the Royal Navy are massive—equivalent to two aircraft carriers? Has she discussed with the Ministry of Defence why they will be built mostly in Spanish shipyards, rather than in British shipyards by British workers to sustain our shipbuilding industry? Does she know of any other shipbuilding country that behaves like this?
Context
Concerns were raised about the allocation of contracts for building Royal Navy vessels to foreign shipyards, specifically Spanish yards.
Nusrat Ghani
I have indeed discussed it with the Ministry of Defence and the National Shipbuilding Office. We want to make sure not only that the contracts for the work are managed here in the UK, but that we are using UK steel.
Session: Shipbuilding
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Is he concerned about cost-benefit analyses for HS2? Have assumptions changed regarding business travel patterns post-pandemic?
Context
Concerns over cost-benefit analysis for HS2 in light of changes due to the pandemic, working from home, and video conferencing.
John Glen
Recognising changes in public transport use due to the pandemic, we face cost of living challenges. We continue investing in buses and capping fares outside London while prioritising greater connectivity across the UK for economic growth.
Session: HS2 Cost
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Can I go back to the astonishingly feeble answer from the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse Norman), about Heathrow, which is a major international hub, a major export centre, the biggest single site employer, with, I am pleased to say, a well-organised union workforce, and vital for west London? How can the Government not have a view or a policy on this vital national infrastructure, or is it just another case of they haven't got a clue?
Context
Heathrow is a major international hub and vital for west London. The Minister of State gave an answer that the Government does not have a view or policy.
Mark Harper
I know that the right hon. Gentleman likes to hear from me, so I will answer this question. He can then think of a way of insulting whatever I say in response. The point that my right hon. Friend was making is that any proposal for a third runway at Heathrow will be a private sector proposal from that airport and, as last time, we would expect it to be funded by the airport. He knows that, if it brings forward such a proposal, the Government would have to take a quasi-judicial planning decision, which is why it is important that I do not take a pre-judged position so I can take that quasi-judicial decision appropriately. At the moment, however, we have not seen such a proposal from Heathrow. If it has one in due course, we will respond accordingly.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for that waffle. I actually asked him about the basic planning assumptions for this project, because the ongoing case for HS2 would have had to be based on estimates of future passenger numbers, particularly for business travel and inter-city commuting. Following the pandemic, we all know there has been a major change because of video conferencing and working from home.
Context
The MP questioned the validity of HS2's planning assumptions in light of recent changes in rail travel patterns.
Mark Harper
HS2 is a railway for the coming decades, not just the next few years. What happened during the pandemic should not affect the case for HS2. Business and commuter traffic is down following the pandemic, but leisure services have rebounded strongly with passenger numbers higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Session: HS2 Planning Assumptions Rail Travel Patterns
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What assessment has been made of the potential impact of changed patterns of rail travel on the planning assumptions for HS2. I am concerned about how the ongoing case for HS2 would have had to be based on estimates of future passenger numbers, particularly for business travel and inter-city commuting. Following the pandemic, there has been a major change due to video conferencing and working from home.
Context
The MP questioned the validity of HS2's planning assumptions in light of recent changes in rail travel patterns.
Mark Harper
HS2 is a railway for the coming decades, not just the next few years. The pandemic should not affect the case for HS2. Business and commuter traffic is down following the pandemic, but leisure services have rebounded strongly with passenger numbers higher than pre-pandemic levels. High-speed trains are used by everyone in Japan, showing HS2 will free up capacity on the west coast main line and move freight from roads to rail.
Session: HS2 Planning Assumptions Rail Travel Patterns
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Does the Minister understand that while he is dithering around with his time-wasting international competition, those international competitors are out there in the market getting the orders and selling, backed to the hilt by their own Governments?
Context
The question stems from concerns about the UK's ability to compete internationally in the small modular reactor market. The MP highlights that international competitors are actively pursuing and securing orders, backed by their governments.
Andrew Bowie
Rolls-Royce is a great British company. Up to £210 million was previously available from the advanced nuclear fund to Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd for developing their design. The first-stage selection process will attract the best designs and we are going three times faster than any comparable country.
Session: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
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When does his Department plan to complete its competitive process for small modular nuclear reactor technologies?
Context
The question arises from the need to establish a competitive process for selecting and implementing small modular nuclear reactors.
Andrew Bowie
Great British Nuclear will be holding a competition for small modular reactors, aiming to attract the best designs from domestic and international vendors. The Government's ambition is to select leading technologies by autumn, providing co-funding to any viable new technology.
Session: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
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Can the Minister give us a progress report on the contract for the fleet solid support ships? He noted that these are equivalent to two aircraft carriers in size and asked about the source of steel for these projects.
Context
The Minister was asked for a progress report on the contract for fleet solid support ships, with emphasis on confirming the source of steel.
James Cartlidge
I will have to check the point regarding steel sourcing and provide more information in due course.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why, when every major military-industrial power is focused on building domestic industrial capacity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he is stubbornly refusing to do the same. His previous answer on steel shows again that the mindset has not changed. Why will he not back British industry and British military resilience?
Context
The MP criticised the Secretary of State's reluctance to strengthen domestic industry in response to Russia's invasion, questioning why a similar approach is not taken.
James Cartlidge
I am happy to be Mr Nice Guy when it comes to British industry. A central tenet of the defence and security industrial strategy is that industrial capacity is part of our defence capability. I am absolutely clear about that. Of course we want to have a strong domestic industry. There are occasions when acquisition has to be undertaken at pace and, as we have seen in getting equipment out to Ukraine, we have had to be flexible in how we source that equipment. But we are absolutely committed to a strong industrial base for defence, both at SME level and with our primes.
Session: Defence Procurement
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What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system?
Context
The MP inquired about the current state and performance of the UK's defence procurement process.
James Cartlidge
We are driving the delivery of capability to the frontline. Over a two-year period to December 2022, we have seen a one-year reduction in the average programme duration, but we can do more to improve and are committed to learning the lessons of the Sheldon review.
Session: Defence Procurement
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Can we have a stronger role for the MOD in the machinery of government, so that we get the can-do attitude of the MOD?
Context
Concerns about coordination between Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office during evacuations.
Ben Wallace
I can do, by helping the right hon. Gentleman ensure that the resilience of the whole of government is supported by the MOD. There are definitely lessons to be learned, and I will ensure that they are taken away and shared across Government.
Session: Sudan Conflict
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I was heartened earlier by the Secretary of State's comments about resilience. As he knows, this is part of an international wake-up call, especially in the EU and the United States. Unfortunately, that was slightly undermined by the comments of his Minister, who was straight back to the old, tired dogma. Does the Minister recognise that local and national Government have a crucial role as a customer for firms that need regular orders and work flow? When will our Government catch up with other countries all round the world and give priority to British industry, British agriculture and British workers?
Context
The MP expresses heartening remarks on resilience but criticizes the old dogma and asks when the Government will give priority to British industry, agriculture, and workers.
Jeremy Quin
One of the things that depressed me about leaving the Ministry of Defence was the fact that I would no longer be across the Dispatch Box from the right hon. Gentleman and his worthy campaign to make certain that, in defence in particular, orders go to UK companies. He is right, and the Government absolutely accept that many areas of our national life must, for defence and security reasons, be provided by UK companies. However, there are huge advantages to working internationally as well, including in the sphere of defence.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why did the FCO fail to learn from previous crises? The committee's report in 2020 revealed how the FCDO lagged behind other nations in evacuating individuals, and the Sudan situation shows that lessons were not applied. When will the Minister take control of his department?
Context
The Select Committee report in 2020 showed that the FCDO was behind other countries in repatriating citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent Sudan crisis seems to demonstrate ongoing issues with lesson implementation.
David Rutley
The safety of all British nationals in Sudan remains our utmost priority. We on the Conservative side, and many across the House, will welcome the successful evacuation of more than 2,300 passengers.
Session: Foreign Affairs Committee Report Consular Response to Covid-19
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What steps has his Department taken in response to the recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee's third report of Session 2019-21, HC 643, published on 28 July 2020?
Context
The Foreign Affairs Committee published a report, HC 643, on 28 July 2020, titled 'Flying Home: The FCO's consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic', which made recommendations for improvement.
David Rutley
As set out in our consular and crisis strategy 2022, we have an extensive programme of lessons learned from previous crises. We continue to improve our crisis response capability systems and structures.
Session: Foreign Affairs Committee Report Consular Response to Covid-19
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Why is the Minister conducting a so-called international competition instead of backing British engineering and workers in small modular nuclear reactors?
Context
British industry has a long history of supplying SMNRs to the Royal Navy, yet the current Government is going through an international competition.
Grant Shapps
This Government are moving ahead with Great British Nuclear, funding Rolls-Royce with £210 million and starting a competition now to select a winner in the autumn.
Session: Topical Questions
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With changing business patterns, will the Minister now re-examine the case for HS2 or is he just frightened of the answer?
Context
Business travel patterns have changed dramatically post-COVID, yet the Minister is not interested in examining the case for HS2.
Huw Merriman
The Minister is not afraid and advocates for HS2, which will level up the country, interconnect great cities, reduce travel time by 54 minutes to one hour eleven minutes, deliver jobs for this country and export them across the world.
Session: Southeastern Railway
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Does he accept that the failure to place orders for new nuclear submarines between 2010 and 2016 was a major strategic error?
Context
The MP highlighted a strategic error made by previous Governments regarding the delay in ordering new nuclear submarines, which affected capacity and readiness.
Ben Wallace
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I will do a deal with him if he admits that is not the only example: we have all made strategic errors in our defence policies in the last two decades, because the Treasury has worked in the short term.
Session: Military Procurement Standards
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Will the Secretary of State consider taking up a private Member's Bill, the Employment (Application Requirements) Bill, which addresses the issue of employers not insisting on degrees and A-levels unless strictly relevant?
Context
Private Member's Bill aims to address the issue of employers valuing experience over qualifications for older people.
Mel Stride
I would be happy to look at the right hon. Gentleman's private Member's Bill. Employers must see disabled people with their abilities and contributions in mind, which is why we promote Disability Confident and have many work coaches up and down the country focusing on this.
Session: Incentivising Return to the Labour Market
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Is it clear that secure domestic food production requires consistent orders? The public sector purchases a huge amount of food, especially in areas like Defence, hospitals, and schools. What action is the Secretary taking to ensure they prioritise buying British?
Context
A significant amount of food is purchased by the public sector, including Government Departments such as Defence, hospitals, and local government. Consistent orders from these sectors could enhance domestic food production.
Therese Coffey
There is Government policy to encourage procurement of British food, and local authorities will continue to consider it when deciding on school meals.
Session: Food Security
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When will the Home Secretary finally accept, rather than waffle about new laws, that the Home Office is a complete mess? Quite apart from the asylum shambles, people renewing their visas are waiting months or years. Then, they have to wait again to get their biometric residence permit card, if they get printed. Far too many people have lost holidays because of waits for passports. When will she get a grip of her Department?
Context
The Home Office faces criticism for delays in visa renewals, biometric residence permit cards and passport issuance.
Suella Braverman
I strongly disagree with the right hon. Gentleman's assertion, surprisingly. On crime, we have seen a 20% fall in violent crime and neighbourhood crime and a 30% fall in domestic burglary since 2019. We see record numbers of police officers on our streets; something that everyone on the Opposition Benches voted against.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Minister has rightly identified that the clerical fascist regime in Tehran is increasingly using violence and terror in trying to crush the popular protests there, while also destabilising the region through proxies, as well as further afield. He knows that a vital underpinning of this dreadful regime's activities is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He mentioned working with other parties; he knows that the United States has already taken action to proscribe the IRGC.
Context
The question addresses the need to sanction the IRGC, following US actions.
James Cleverly
We already sanction the IRGC in its entirety. We will continue to work closely with our friends in the international community to prevent the point that the right hon. Gentleman raises: the exporting of attack drones and other munitions to Russia, which are then being used by Vladimir Putin's troops to attack civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. We will continue to sanction individuals, and as I say, the IRGC is already sanctioned in its entirety.
Session: Iran
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What steps his Department is taking to help tackle destabilising activities by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Minister has rightly identified that the clerical fascist regime in Tehran is increasingly using violence and terror in trying to crush the popular protests there, while also destabilising the region through proxies, as well as further afield. He knows that a vital underpinning of this dreadful regime's activities is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Context
The question addresses destabilizing activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran and internationally, with a focus on its impact on regional stability.
James Cleverly
We already sanction the IRGC in its entirety. We will continue to work closely with our friends in the international community to prevent the point that the right hon. Gentleman raises: the exporting of attack drones and other munitions to Russia, which are then being used by Vladimir Putin's troops to attack civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. We will continue to sanction individuals, and as I say, the IRGC is already sanctioned in its entirety.
Session: Iran
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May I take the Minister back to the subject of the fleet solid support ships? The prime contractor is Navantia. What guarantees have they obtained that the boats will be built in the United Kingdom—especially the first in class—and in respect of the numbers of apprenticeships that would ensure capacity for the future?
Context
Navantia is the prime contractor for the fleet solid support ships, and there are concerns about the guarantee of building these boats in the UK.
Alex Chalk
The award is of £1.6 billion to deliver three vessels, and this will be a British ship built to a British design in a British dockyard, mostly with British steel. It also means £70 million for a British dockyard.
Session: Defence Sector Support for UK Companies
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What will be done to encourage and support our creative talent across the spectrum, especially in music? How will it stop eroding creative copyright for AI giants' benefit?
Context
The MP raises the importance of supporting Britain's creative talent and expresses concern over erosion of creative copyright.
Julia Lopez
Concerns of the creative industries have been raised with a responsible Minister who is sympathetic. The consultation will be reviewed again for detailed examination of concerns from the creative industries.
Session: Intellectual Property and Copyright Artificial Intelligence
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What assessment has the Government made of the potential impact on the creative industries of the proposed copyright exemption for text and data mining for artificial intelligence?
Context
The question concerns the potential impact of proposed copyright exemptions on the creative industries.
Julia Lopez
The recent Intellectual Property Office consultation on AI and IP sought evidence and views on text and data mining. We recognise that the creative industries have significant concerns about the potential impacts of the TDM proposal, leading us to reflect on whether to proceed with it in its current form. The IPO will engage with interested parties over months to inform government thinking and we will set out next steps.
Session: Intellectual Property and Copyright Artificial Intelligence
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For the 30th consecutive year, the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to condemn the US embargo and sanctions on Cuba. Today, I am raising again my concern about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They are protectors of the Iranian clerical fascist regime. Will the Minister go back to his Department and tell the officials to get on with banning the IRGC?
Context
In the last two Foreign Office question sessions, concerns were raised about the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Members from both sides have urged for the IRGC to be banned.
David Rutley
The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review, but we do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does our ability to resupply the Ukrainians not depend on our having a robust defence industry? Does that not depend on both facilities and skilled manpower? And does that not depend on orders being placed in this country?
Context
The resupply of Ukrainians with necessary equipment hinges on the robustness and capacity of UK's own defence manufacturing base.
Ben Wallace
The right hon. Gentleman never answered the question that I put to him at the Defence Committee. As he says, surely the most important thing is that whoever bids for these contracts commits to investing in skills in Britain. If they do not invest in skills, what is the point of awarding the contract? When I asked him whether he would choose someone who invested in skills, there was no answer from him. This is classic union-paid claptrap.
Session: Ukraine Military Response to Russian Invasion
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I hope that the Minister will recognise the IRGC's role in destabilising proxy wars and show more urgency in joining allies by proscribing the IRGC, similar to how we banned Hezbollah under pressure from this House.
Context
The UK previously resisted banning Hezbollah but was pressured to act. The questioner seeks urgent action against the IRGC.
Amanda Milling
The UK maintains sanctions against the IRGC and regularly reviews the list of proscribed organisations, but does not comment on ongoing considerations for the IRGC's proscription.
Session: Iran
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What steps her Department plans to take to counter Iran's destabilising use of proxies in the middle east. The hostility with Iran has caused even greater friendship between Arab countries and Israel, so should the Government follow US actions by moving the British embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
Context
The UK is concerned about Iran's influence through proxies, which has been a source of regional instability.
Amanda Milling
The UK maintains a range of sanctions to constrain IRGC activity. The British embassy in Israel is in Tel Aviv, but there may be a review possibility. We do not routinely comment on proscription considerations for the IRGC.
Session: Iran
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Defence jobs depend on orders from his Department and export validation. Will he now commit to ordering the fleet solid support ships to be built in British yards?
Context
The MP questions the Secretary of State about commitment to ordering ships to be built in UK.
Ben Wallace
The fleet solid support ships will certainly be integrated in British yards, and a significant proportion will be built there. Let us have a look at what the bidders say; I have not yet seen the bids. British defence is dependent on British manufacturing.
Session: Defence Jobs
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Can I urge him, in preparing the White Paper, to take a balanced view of the economic and social benefits, the considerable pleasure for millions who bet quite responsibly and the great contribution to the Exchequer, and balance that against the very vocal lobbying, particularly in some of the media, by those who basically, with gambling, are prohibitionists?
Context
The question is prompted by the need to address a balanced approach towards gambling regulation, taking into account both economic and social benefits along with responsible betting.
Nigel Huddleston
Again, I assure the right hon. Gentleman that the gambling White Paper was comprehensive, and the response will be comprehensive. We have taken evidence and information from across the entire sector, so views such as those he has represented we are absolutely taking into account during the consideration.
Session: Betting and Gaming Industry and Racing Economic Contribution
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What recent estimate she has made of the economic contribution that (a) the betting and gaming industry and (b) racing make to the economy. In 2019, the last full year unaffected by the pandemic, the gambling sector was noted to have significant contributions.
Context
The question is prompted by a need to assess the economic impact of the gambling sector in recent years, particularly after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nigel Huddleston
In 2019, the gambling industry contributed £8.3 billion to the economy, or 0.4% of gross value added. The sector employs approximately 98,000 people and pays £2 billion a year in gambling duties. According to the British Horseracing Authority, racing has direct revenues in excess of £1.47 billion and makes a total annual contribution to the UK economy of over £4 billion.
Session: Betting and Gaming Industry and Racing Economic Contribution
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Public Procurement
13 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft Procurement Regulations 2024 aim to implement the Procurement Act 2023, creating a new public procurement regime for over £300 billion-worth of contracts. The regulations increase transparen...
Defence
07 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government have committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, resulting in a £75 billion cash boost over six years from a flat cash baseline. The current commitment involves sound...
Hunting Trophies (Prohibition) Bill - Second Reading of the Bill
22 March 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The lead MP, John Spellar, is advocating for the Second Reading of the Hunting Trophies (Prohibition) Bill. He emphasises the need to prohibit importing hunting trophies from endangered animals, highl...
Backbench Business
21 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
UK Armed Forces
11 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine: Military Equipment
27 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine
22 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
22 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Damian Collins moved that the House has considered the civil nuclear roadmap. He emphasised the importance of achieving an additional 24 GW of nuclear energy by 2050, noting significant changes in tec...
Defending the UK and Allies
15 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
House of Commons Commission
11 January 2024
General Debate
Led by this MP
The right hon. Gentleman raised concerns about the impact of Chinese tariffs on the Australian wine industry and urged the House of Commons Commission to prioritise buying Australian wine in order to ...
9
PMQs Asked
78
Ministerial Questions Asked
117
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+146% above average
This MP:
9
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+482% above average
This MP:
78
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2307% above average
This MP:
117
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
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 John Spellar's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.