Business of the House

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 28th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I just want to put on record the fact that my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Dame Margaret Hodge) has been re-selected this evening, despite an appalling attack by members of our party. I am delighted she remains a Labour candidate at the next general election.

[Mr Speaker]

That is not a point of order for the Chair, but the hon. Lady has registered that point about a senior, long-serving Member, and it is on the record. I thank her for doing so.

Business of the House

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Thursday 24th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I call Sir Bernard Jenkin. [Interruption.] That is very gracious of the hon. Gentleman. I was trying to do two things at once, and not very successfully. I call Ruth Smeeth.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

Stoke-on-Trent City Council signed a 25-year deal with Solarplicity for a community energy scheme and thousands signed up, but in August Solarplicity went into administration. The customers were transferred to Toto Energy, but Toto went into administration last night. May we have a debate in Government time on community energy schemes because, good as they are, local authorities have obligations to carry out due diligence before they sign up?

Business of the House

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Tuesday 22nd October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Point of order—[Interruption.] No, question to the Leader of the House from Ruth Smeeth.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

I have yet to do my first point of order, Mr Speaker. Today, many people on the Opposition Benches walked through and voted for Second Reading. All we are asking for is the opportunity to ensure that the deal, which was presented to us only last night, works for our constituents—and for my local economy. We need slightly more time. I urge the Leader of the House to find more time, so that I can do my job, scrutinise properly and make sure that I deliver Brexit in a way that works for the Potteries.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 15th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

As I say, we are very pleased to see the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and we look forward to hearing from him ere long.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

12. What recent discussions he has had with police and crime commissioners on (a) the merits of and (b) investment in community and neighbourhood policing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 19th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent North (Ruth Smeeth) has perambulated within the Chamber, but there is no dishonour in that.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

In advance of the imminent urgent question, I want to say that universal credit is due to be imposed on the north of my constituency just before Christmas. I wrote to the Secretary of State’s predecessor twice asking for it to be delayed, if only until the new year. Will the new Secretary of State please look favourably on this request?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 18th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

These are extremely important matters, but may I very gently say to colleagues—on Back Benches and Front Benches alike—that we must speed up?

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of trends in the level of new homes available for social rent since 2010.

National Security Capability Review

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 15th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Pursuant to a point made earlier, I would say to the Secretary of State that the appearance in the newspapers of briefings, which I am certainly not suggesting hail from him, is something that greatly irritates Members of the House. It is therefore very much to be hoped that before the conclusion of the review, there are no further such briefings. If there are, I rather imagine that I will be confronted with further requests for urgent questions, and I will feel unable, and in any case disinclined, to resist those requests.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

On that point, I stand here as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the armed forces covenant. The reality is that the leaks to papers are undermining morale and the confidence of families, and sending completely the wrong message to our allies. We need answers and we need them now, if only for the people who are serving. They need to know whether they will be serving in Plymouth, or be moved to Colchester.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 13th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

We have obviously seen significant success in Mosul in recent months, and I am sure that the whole House joins me in sending our prayers and gratitude to those serving in our forces, but can you tell us what lessons we are learning from our success in Mosul, so that we can apply them effectively to the battle in Raqqa?

[Mr Speaker]

I cannot, but hopefully the Secretary of State can.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Thursday 15th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I hope that the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Sir Alan Haselhurst) realises how lucky he is to have the prospect of further conversations with the Minister of State. Not all of us are in that category.

[Ruth Smeeth]

(Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab): Infrastructure is vital to economic growth, which is why it is so unfortunate that the Highways Agency has, without consultation, announced the closure of the A34 at Talke junction. That stretch of road is the main access route to Freeport shopping centre. The works are much needed, but they are due to start next week and continue until 23 December, which will affect Christmas shopping at the centre. Will the Minister endeavour to work with me and with the Highways Agency, so that it can see the error of its ways?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and John Bercow

Monday 16th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. As Members know, it is my usual practice to run exchanges on important ministerial statements very fully, and therefore I simply signal to those who have not been able to catch my eye at this time, on account of constraints of time, that if they are here at 3.30 there will be a very full opportunity to explore these matters at that point.

[Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

9. What recent discussions her Department has had with police and crime commissioners on the future of frontline policing.