Peter Bottomley
MP for Worthing West
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
We know that some duck serious questions today, aiming for electoral advantage in the future. May I note that the Prime Minister prefers to take decisions that will benefit the country now and in the longer term, so that we can have more jobs, better education and a shared prosperity?
Context
The questioner praises the Prime Minister for taking long-term decisions that benefit the country.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words.
Assessment
No specific information or commitment was provided in response to the question about long-term decisions.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
All sides of the House should wish to help the Prime Minister to be successful in tackling the problems facing the country. When I raised one of them in July with the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson), he said that I could talk to the Housing Minister, but the Housing Minister retired within 17 minutes of hearing that. [Laughter.] Will this Prime Minister look at why the Planning Inspectorate is able to overturn councils' planned protections for green lungs? And will she look at what is happening to the Goring Gap in relation to the A259 in the Worthing West and the Arundel and South Downs constituencies, because local councils have no role if they cannot protect what matters most to them?
Context
The Planning Inspectorate's ability to overturn councils' planned protections for green lungs.
Elizabeth Truss
I am a bit concerned about offering my hon. Friend a meeting with the Housing Minister, in case any ill should befall him. But my hon. Friend is right; there is not enough power in local hands at the moment. It is too easy for local councils to be overruled by the Planning Inspectorate, and that is certainly an issue that I expect my Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to look at.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
May I ask the Prime Minister to tell the Government to withdraw their objection to the appeal against the decision to allow 482 homes to be built on the green lung between Goring and Ferring?
Context
The MP is concerned about the protection of a farm in Goring-by-Sea, which was fully protected but now faces development.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend for his campaign on this issue, and I will ensure he has a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Assessment
Did not commit to withdrawing objection but promised a meeting
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
In addition to having concerns for Ukraine, my constituents are also concerned about planning policy. I wrote to the Prime Minister in October 2019 about the threat to the Goring gap. It is against Government policy and against the public interest for every green field that is a strategic gap to be built on. An inspector has made a decision that would wipe away the planning powers of every local council in the country. May I ask whether the Prime Minister will see me and whether the Government will revoke this inspector's mistaken decision?
Context
Concerns over planning decisions affecting green belt areas.
Dominic Raab
I thank my hon. Friend for that. As someone with a massive proportion of green belt in my constituency, I empathise with the frustrations that Members from across the House feel with some planning decisions that are made. However, once a planning decision is final, it cannot be challenged unless it is successfully challenged in the courts.
Assessment
Did not address the specific ask about revoking or reviewing the inspector's decision.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Mr Speaker, I hope you will allow me to ask the Prime Minister also to welcome the birthday of the Primate of England—the 2007 Yorkshireman of the year—the Archbishop of York, who is just laying down his crozier after 14 years of service. His great words were that we can share the glories, the struggles, the joys and the pains of this country. We should remember that John Sentamu was tortured in Uganda, served in Tulse Hill, Stepney and Birmingham as well as York, and was a critical adviser to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. Can I put it to my right hon. Friend that if, in a period of eight years, there are eight interrogations of a bishop, each time John Sentamu, we have got more to learn about making the colour of one's skin as important as the colour of one's eyes and the colour of one's hair—something you may notice but does not tell you any more about them?
Context
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is retiring after serving for 14 years.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
I join my hon. Friend warmly in paying tribute to the Archbishop of York as he lays down his crozier. He and I correspond very often and I take his advice very sincerely. I had no idea that today was such a distinguished birthday.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Could the Secretary of State indicate whether he will make a decision on the report recommendations?
Context
The ombudsman's report recommended compensation between £1,000 and just under £3,000.
Mel Stride
I cannot prejudge the outcome of the detailed set of considerations. The report was complex and took five years to complete, so we are looking at it carefully.
Session: State Pension Age Changes Compensation
View All Questions -->
There is agreement on both sides that reform is needed. I welcome the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to modernize leasehold and commonhold systems. Through the Minister, I invite those suffering, as described by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, to put their points through MPs so they can be discussed and accepted when amendments are tabled.
Context
The question supports the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, inviting those suffering from leasehold issues to present their points through MPs for consideration during amendments.
Lee Rowley
The Secretary of State and I have said we are keen to improve the Bill where possible. It is a substantial Bill that will make significant changes for those who need leasehold reform.
Session: Leasehold
View All Questions -->
Does he understand that Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff have made it clear that the final report will say nothing more about compensation? People are dying or waiting for justice. Will 25 days after the report's publication in May be too long to wait for certainty and support?
Context
The Minister's Department is responsible for coordinating government action on the infected blood scandal. Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff have indicated that the final report will not address compensation, causing concern among victims' families.
John Glen
The focus is on moving forward with the appointment of experts. Interim payments were made in October 2022, and meetings will continue to move this forward as quickly as possible.
Session: Infected Blood Inquiry
View All Questions -->
Have any discussions taken place with Ards and North Down Borough Council to ensure that our heritage is retained for everyone?
Context
The constituency of Strangford has significant heritage from first and second world wars, including plans to promote this at the Somme Museum.
Julia Lopez
I understand my ministerial colleague had a positive visit to the constituency. I will ask if there have been any discussions with his local authority on that basis.
Session: Protecting Heritage Assets
View All Questions -->
One outsider and apparently one or two Opposition Members misinterpreted what I understood the Secretary of State to be saying in January. Can the Minister confirm that the opportunities for enfranchisement will take away many of the problems that residential leaseholders now suffer and, in effect, that will get them to commonhold? I will just add that if we had waited to transfer all leaseholds to commonhold, we would not have the Bill now and 6 million leaseholders would have been betrayed.
Context
The MP is questioning the opportunities for leaseholders under the new Bill to transition to commonhold.
Lee Rowley
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We all want to see those in leasehold in a much improved situation. We are making huge steps forward with this Bill and we look forward to continuing and augmenting that reform in due course.
Session: Leasehold Reform
View All Questions -->
I reinforce what the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) said about the general welcome in the House for the movement towards equality and fairness. We have had it on ordination; we now have it on same-sex relationships up to a point. Through my hon. Friend, I ask those who are disappointed with this movement forward to think of the pain that they have caused by resisting the change for so many people, whether by sex or orientation, over the past decades.
Context
The House welcomed movement towards equality and fairness, including on ordination and same-sex relationships. The MP asks for reflection on pain caused by resistance to change.
Andrew Selous
I am grateful, as always, to the Father of the House for his wise reflections on these matters. He is right that this has been a difficult and painful period across the Church. I very much regret that, as he does. I hope we can move forward together in love, truth and unity on these matters.
Session: Same-sex Relationships
View All Questions -->
On developing brownfield sites, will the Secretary of State consider giving powers to councils such as Westmorland and Furness, and to planning authorities such as those in the Yorkshire dales and the Lake district, to ensure exclusive provision for affordable and social rented housing so that we do not see communities such as ours dying out because all the houses built end up being sold for second homes?
Context
Concerns about affordable housing provision on brownfield sites.
Michael Gove
From his perspective as an assiduous constituency Member, the hon. Gentleman makes a very good point, but may I commiserate with him? At the recent Liberal Democrat conference, I am afraid he was defeated, and his party adopted a housing policy that he describes as Thatcherite. It is a source of sadness to me to be outflanked on the right by the Liberal Democrats, but may I welcome more defections to the Thatcherite cause from those who once embraced my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss) as one of their own?
Session: Brownfield Land Development
View All Questions -->
May I put it to Ministers that the nine-month wait for granting simple probate is unfair on people trying to sell their parents' home? Will Ministers please sort it out?
Context
A constituent's home sale is delayed due to a nine-month wait for granting probate, which impacts personal financial circumstances.
Mike Freer
The time taken once all required documents are received is between six and nine weeks. Despite a significant increase in applications, the service is recruiting and training over 100 new caseworkers to deliver the service.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
I speak as a supporter of WATCH, the Women and the Church group. The Church Commissioners should understand that either the Church of England gets rid of what ought to have been temporary exemptions from the Equality Act 2010 or Parliament will do that for it. Does my hon. Friend understand that other MPs who are interested in full equality for women would like to meet the Church Commissioners before we consider what other action we might take?
Context
WATCH, a group supporting full equality for women in the Church of England, has raised concerns about temporary exemptions from the Equality Act 2010. MPs are considering meetings with the Church Commissioners to address these issues.
Andrew Selous
I have very clearly heard what my hon. Friend the Father of the House and indeed the very respected Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) have just said. The Church will have heard that as well and we are of course available for meetings at any time.
Session: Ordination of Clergy
View All Questions -->
Following from previous questions, does my right hon. Friend read Private Eye? If he does, he will have seen an article on the Actors' Benevolent Fund, where those who did right were put out and those who did wrong were supported by the Charity Commission. Can he say to the Charity Commission that people in Parliament are watching this with some surprise?
Context
Concerns raised about the Actors' Benevolent Fund and charity regulation.
Stuart Andrew
Of course the Charity Commission is an independent body, but I have regular meetings with it. I am not a regular reader of Private Eye, but I will make sure that I seek out that article ahead of my next meeting with the Charity Commission.
Session: Charity Regulation
View All Questions -->
I say to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs that we are grateful for the work he does. Can he ask those in his private office whether they will show him the message I sent him yesterday about the secretary to a governor in Afghanistan, who is in hiding and whose grandfather has been killed trying to protect him, to see whether there is anything the British Government can do to allow him to come out of Afghanistan?
Context
The question arises from a specific case of an individual in Afghanistan who is at risk and needs assistance to come out.
Johnny Mercer
I recognise the ongoing concerns about those who remain in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister has asked me to do what I can to get the Afghans who are currently in hotels into long-term accommodation in the UK. That will allow us to turn back on those flights out of Afghanistan. I recognise that there are still people there who should be in the UK, and I will, of course, look at the case my hon. Friend raises later today. That process of bringing people out of Afghanistan remains with the MOD, but it will have heard his comments and I will do everything I can to help him.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
While my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) and I have represented Worthing and district, we have survived the equivalent of eight coalmines closing in the town. Flexibility matters. Let us remember, looking back at the youth opportunities programme and the employer assistance scheme, that it is enterprise that makes the biggest difference. Will my right hon. Friend emphasise that? In tribute to Lord Young of Graffham, let us make sure that we combine individual enterprise and public enterprise with private partnerships.
Context
The question addresses the importance of enterprise in employment initiatives, emphasizing public-private partnerships as key to success.
Mel Stride
My hon. Friend the Father of the House is absolutely right. It is really important that we operate with all those relationships across the private and public sectors. Jobcentres up and down the country are heavily engaged with employers at all levels, and not just the large ones but the small and medium-sized enterprises that are so important.
Session: Employment Adur and Worthing
View All Questions -->
We need to trust parents. Should schools inform children and parents when a child is in distress?
Context
Emphasis on the importance of parental trust and involvement in sensitive decisions.
Nick Gibb
Parental involvement is crucial for sensitive decisions like those involving transitioning. Schools should ensure parents are involved in such matters.
Session: Trans and Non-binary Children
View All Questions -->
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just executed Hussein Abo al-Kheir, a father of eight, after giving assurances that it would not carry out death penalties. Will the Foreign Secretary try to arrange to make a statement to the House later this week on the ramifications for our relationship with Saudi Arabia?
Context
MP noted that Saudi Arabia executed Hussein Abo al-Kheir despite assurances not to carry out death penalties. He asked if the UK would make a statement on the relationship with Saudi Arabia.
David Rutley
The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and circumstances. We regularly raise our concerns with the Saudi authorities.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
I am not sure this is the right place to advertise virtue or claim vice. Can I put it to my hon. Friend that the Church of England Children's Society 50 years ago supported the social entrepreneur Bob Holman in establishing family centres? Can we praise the Church and all its parishes for the way they help to support the confidence and competence of parents, who often go through difficult situations?
Context
The question refers to historical contributions by the Church of England Children's Society and seeks recognition of current efforts in supporting families.
Andrew Selious
I am grateful to the Father of the House for reminding us of that important fact and of what the Church has done in the past, and I hope he will be equally supportive of what our right hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire (Dame Andrea Leadsom) is doing with her fantastic initiative on family hubs. That is an important continuation of that early work.
Session: Family Relationships, Parenting and Marriage
View All Questions -->
Will the Minister consider changing legislation to make leaseholders parties to the building insurance for which they pay premiums, as this is not currently thought of as their interest?
Context
A proposal suggests making leaseholders parties to building insurance despite not having an interest in it.
Lucy Frazer
We are bringing in legislation that will make it much easier for leaseholders to enfranchise their leases and I am already looking at the area mentioned regarding interest in building insurance.
Session: Leasehold and Freehold Reform
View All Questions -->
Will the public service remits be reduced in any way? Can the Minister tell the House why the aim to compete with Amazon and Netflix should be one of the purposes of Channel 4?
Context
The Secretary of State claims to remove straitjackets from Channel 4 but does not clarify public service remits or competition with Amazon and Netflix.
Julia Lopez
This is not about allowing Channel 4 to compete exactly as Netflix and Amazon do. It's about understanding market dynamics created by these companies. We believe Channel 4 needs greater flexibility in how it runs its business, including owning content.
Session: Privatisation of Channel 4
View All Questions -->
I join the Minister in thanking dentists and their associates for getting so much of the service back. Does she agree that in places such as the Arun parts of my constituency, where people cannot find a dentist and have not been able to for two or three years, there must be a way for people to get on a dentist's list and get treated, and for dentists to be properly rewarded? Dentists and patients would be grateful for a change in the contract.
Context
In areas like the Arun parts of his constituency, patients cannot find a dentist for two or three years.
Maria Caulfield
The Father of the House is quite right that the crux of the problem is that there is a shortage throughout the country not of dentists but of dentists taking on NHS work. The contract is the nub of the problem, which is why work is under way to reform it. We will shortly announce some short-term changes and some longer-term reforms, which will hopefully help my hon. Friend's constituents.
Session: NHS Dentistry Backlog
View All Questions -->
Mr Speaker, if you and the Minister came to Worthing station and walked from there to my flat, you would walk past a site where Homes England could help Worthing Borough Council produce extra social housing. Six times a year, Ministers have talked of progress on ending leasehold abuse for ten years but not actioned it. This time, can we have action, and could Ministers also look at whether statutory instrument 2020/632 takes into account the disbenefits to leaseholders of people putting extra storeys on leasehold blocks?
Context
The MP is concerned about the progress on leasehold abuse reforms and seeks action.
Luke Hall (Minister for Housing)
I know that my hon Friend has raised issues about this particular statutory instrument. We believe we need to encourage the densification of our towns and cities to allow for additional homes. In the last four years, 60,000 additional homes have been delivered through permitted development rights for change of use. This new permitted development right could deliver an extra 800 homes a year for families across our cities and help protect the countryside too. Of course, permitted development rights remain subject to prior approval by the local planning authority on a number of matters, including the amenity of neighbours and occupiers of the block.
Session: Leasehold and Commonhold Reform
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Leasehold Reform Bill - Clause 12 (Restriction on title)
24 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 1. All amendments made to this legislation in the other place were minor and technical in nature, serving to make the legislation function as...
NHS
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Holocaust Memorial (Centre) Bill - New Clause 1
22 May 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
Miscellaneous
22 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
21 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Infected Blood Inquiry Report
20 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Relationships, Sex and Health Education: Statutory Guidance
16 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Infected Blood Inquiry
23 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Building Safety
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Extremism Definition and Community Engagement
14 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
5
PMQs Asked
19
Ministerial Questions Asked
155
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+37% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+42% above average
This MP:
19
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3089% above average
This MP:
155
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
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 Peter Bottomley's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.