Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Esther McVey

Thursday 25th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Minister without Portfolio (Esther McVey)]

I thank my hon. Friend for asking that question. He is a tireless campaigner on this matter, on which he has met with me and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. As I said to my hon. Friend, I am dealing with this matter with the permanent secretary; he will know that we have a new permanent secretary in the Department, and we are working at pace to resolve it.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I call the SNP spokesperson.

Menopause (Support and Services) Bill

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Esther McVey

2nd reading
Friday 29th October 2021 Commons Chamber

[Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con)]

I, too, congratulate the hon. Lady on bringing forward this issue and pursuing it in such a constructive, positive and enthusiastic way not just in the House but outside it too, and on the points she raises about the stigma attached to the menopause and the idea that women of a certain age are maybe past their prime. Absolutely not. People need to know that women’s lives actually might begin at 50. Thank you for what you have done and, I understand, for your constructive work with the Government. What you are doing today is a most important step forward—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. I cannot let the right hon. Lady, who is a senior Member of the House, say “you” when she means “her”. Could she just say it again, just to please me?

[Esther McVey]

I was carried away by the excitement of the moment, but you are quite right, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady has done so much and will earn the gratitude of the whole country for what she is doing with this positive step forward today.