Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 16 September 2021 · 10 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2021-09-16 with various Members raising issues such as the Online Safety Bill, football banning orders, and broadband roll-out initiatives.
  • The new Secretary of State was congratulated by multiple Members, and she provided responses on topics including cultural heritage protection in Afghanistan and support for future technologies across the country.
  • Questions were also raised about vaccine passports and the distinction between different types of events in implementing necessary precautions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP inquires about the assessment made on delegating decisions on harmful content.

Question

Can I express my delight at the arrival of my hon. Friend in Cabinet? She demonstrates that you do not need to be a boring conformist to get on in this world. Returning to the boring conformity, however, I shall put my substantive question to her. What assessment has she made of delegating the decision on what is harmful and what is not harmful to the online platform providers?

Answer from Matt Warman

The fact is that the Online Safety Bill does not delegate that decision to online platforms. What it does is define the harmful content that companies must address. The Government will set out the categories for those harmful contents later. Companies will need to ensure that children are protected from any content that meets this definition, and that will clearly be directed by Government; it will not be delegated to them.

Answered
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Q2 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP asks about the practical steps taken since July to change the regime.

Question

We know that the new Secretary of State has set out her own views and interpretation of racism online, because she has written about it. Can the Secretary of State tell us exactly what practical steps have been taken to change the football banning order regime since 14 July?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I am afraid that I am going to have to write to the hon. Lady, being new to the job as I am. I will do that immediately.

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Q3 Caroline Ansell Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP enquires about support for a new project in her constituency.

Question

May I also offer my congratulations to the new Secretary of State? In Eastbourne, the ambition for a mixed augmented reality studio is beginning to take shape. What would this mean? Skilled jobs, an injection into the hospitality sector and keeping us at the forefront of film-making. What support can the sector and MediaBite, the project lead, anticipate from the Government, and will the Minister join me in wishing them well in their endeavour and in their bid to Innovate UK?

Answer from Matt Warman

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in endorsing that bid. It is a key ambition of this Government to ensure that augmented reality and all those future technologies are made a reality not just in London and the big cities but across the whole country, so Eastbourne is a real opportunity. I would be happy, for instance, to facilitate a meeting with the BFI or something of that nature in order for her to help to pursue this endeavour.

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Q4 John Nicolson SNP
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The MP welcomes the Secretary of State to her role but asks about protection for Afghan women, LGBT people and other minorities.

Question

I would also like to welcome the Secretary of State to her place. We know that the Taliban respect only violent power. They care nothing for culture or heritage. UNESCO is monitoring the evolving situation, focusing on the universal rights to education, freedom of expression and heritage. Does the Secretary of State agree that the women standing up for their rights and national culture in street protests are extraordinarily brave? Will she outline what the UK Government will be doing to protect all those who feel abandoned in Afghanistan, whether they are women, LGBT people or minorities who fear for their lives and futures?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (John Nicolson) for his warm and kind words of welcome. Of course, we all stand with the women of Afghanistan. I know the hon. Gentleman has been looking through my long tweet history of 20 years, or whenever I first went on Twitter, and he will therefore know that I have repeatedly supported the women of Afghanistan and will continue to do so.

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Q5 Edward Timpson Con
Science & Technology
Context

The MP notes the progress of broadband roll-out and asks for a meeting to discuss further coverage.

Question

Last year there was full gigabit-capable broadband in just 13% of households in my Eddisbury constituency. Thanks to UK Government initiatives such as the rural voucher scheme, the figure now stands at 47%, but we still have a long way to go, which is why I am launching a survey of the broadband and mobile coverage of my local residents to find out where the notspots are. Will the Minister agree to meet me to assess that survey and to discuss what more can be done to ensure that we get full coverage right across the constituency?

Answer from Matt Warman

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the world-leading pace of this country's broadband roll-out, but we know there is more to do. I would encourage everybody in his constituency to fill in his broadband survey, and I would be very happy to meet him.

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Q6 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlights the digital divide and lack of internet access in Slough.

Question

The lockdowns during the pandemic have brought into sharp focus the stark digital divide in our country. Despite Government promises, 1.9 million households still do not have internet access, and many more, including in my Slough constituency, rely on expensive pay-as-you-go services. Is it not about time that the Government finally bridged this divide?

Answer from Matt Warman

The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the need for affordable broadband and mobile access, which is why this Government have worked with the companies during the pandemic and since to make sure there are social tariffs so that cheaper products are available. Such tariffs are a crucial part of making sure everyone has the access we all need in the 21st century.

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Q7 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Context

The MP from Ashfield, Lee Anderson, is concerned about celebrating the legacy of D. H. Lawrence through a statue.

Question

I thank the Government for the extra funding they supplied last year for the D. H. Lawrence Centre in Eastwood. Will the Secretary of State now back my bid to get a D. H. Lawrence statue in Eastwood to celebrate his life and works?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

It is not normal practice for central Government to fund or get involved in new memorials and statues, but organisations should work with planning authorities and other groups to identify suitable sites and obtain necessary permissions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific backing of the statue proposal

How: It Is Not Normal Practice For Central Government To Fund Or Get Involved In New Memorials And Statues

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Q8 Martyn Day SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Taliban previously destroyed a significant portion of the artifacts in the National Museum of Afghanistan, and there are fears that similar destruction could occur again.

Question

When last in power, the Taliban destroyed 70% of the artifacts in the National Museum of Afghanistan. With academics facing persecution and libraries under threat, what steps can the Government take with international allies to prevent a further cultural genocide?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The UK is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide support to help protect Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage for future generations. We urge all parties in Afghanistan to protect their country's cultural heritage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or plans

How: We Are Closely Monitoring The Situation And Stand Ready To Provide Support

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Q9 Theresa Villiers Con
NHS
Context

The government had previously proposed vaccine passport plans, but withdrew them. There are concerns about the potential reintroduction of such ideas.

Question

Warm congratulations on withdrawing the vaccine passport plan. If we see a return of vaccine passports or other covid restrictions, can the Government distinguish between events/conferences and nightclubs/mass gatherings in terms of necessary precautions?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

Conference venues have already been using voluntary certification, indicating a more organised and structured environment compared to some other events. Further details of plan B measures will be coming out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific differentiation or commitments for nightclubs vs. conferences

How: Further Details Of Plan B Measures Will Be Coming Out

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Q10 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

BBC Wales committed to showing Wales's 2023 FIFA women's World cup qualifiers on mainstream TV, highlighting the importance of visibility for women's sport.

Question

I join the Secretary of State in congratulating Emma Raducanu. We are at a pivotal moment for women's sport. I commend BBC Wales for committing to show Wales's 2023 FIFA women's World cup qualifiers on mainstream TV because visibility matters. What commitments can the Secretary of State give to encourage women to participate in all sports, especially at grassroots level?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The Department has a women in sport working group that is effectively looking at further actions to support and promote women's sport. I would be happy to continue talking about this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or plans for grassroots level sports

How: The Department Has A Women In Sport Working Group

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