Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Monday 16th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Tessa Munt. Not here.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

T8. Will Ministers give very serious consideration to a call-in request I have made relating to a planning application for 190 properties in Goostrey? It would generate detrimental interference to the radio telescopes and world-leading scientific work at Jodrell Bank, and is therefore a concern of national significance.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Thursday 12th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Kerry McCarthy. She is not here.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

9. What assessment she has made of the lessons that can be learned from the experiences of other countries in dealing with bovine tuberculosis.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Tuesday 3rd February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Fiona Bruce]

The answer has to be that we—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think Members thought that the hon. Lady had concluded her speech, but she has not. Let us have a courteous hearing for everybody. I call Fiona Bruce.

[Fiona Bruce]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Once we approve this procedure, where will it lead? The answer has to be that we stop here and say, “This is a red line in our country, as in every other country in the world, that we will not cross.” This is the place for that to be said. As MPs, we are accountable to the people of this country.

The Government’s own consultation in July 2014 received 1,857 responses, of which 1,152 were opposed to the introduction of these techniques. That has been confirmed by ComRes polling last weekend, which showed that more than twice as many people are against these proposals as are in favour—41% of respondents, compared with 21%. A third public survey, being conducted today on The Daily Telegraph website, shows that as of this morning 68% of the public oppose these techniques in principle. Do their concerns not deserve respect from those of us present here?

The truth is that the Government have not waited for the conclusion of trials, as they should have done, so that this House could make a fully informed decision, and that is wrong. Whether one ultimately approves or disapproves of these proposals, the right procedure on such a profound issue is for the elected representatives of the people of this country to have full information before being rushed into a decision, as we would be today if we voted for these proposals.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Tuesday 21st October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have overrun, principally because of long questions and answers earlier, but I am keen to accommodate a couple more colleagues.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

Mitochondrial technique was last tried on humans in 2003 by John Zhang, resulting, I understand, in two still births and an abortion. Last week, one of the members of an expert panel of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said he had only just become aware of Zhang’s study. What action will Ministers take to ensure that this worrying study is properly examined before any steps are taken to bring this issue before the House?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Tuesday 8th April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman has already had one go. His appetite ought to have been satisfied for now. He seems to be a hungry caterpillar, but he will have to wait. Never mind.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

15. What contribution the UK is making to international provision for displaced Syrians.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Thursday 9th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Fiona Bruce.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment the Commissioners have made of difficulties faced by Christians in celebrating Christmas in certain parts of the world.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Tuesday 26th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Mike Freer. He is definitely not here; perhaps he is stuck on London transport as well, who knows?

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

T7. Will the Deputy Prime Minister join me and the all-party group on North Korea in welcoming last week’s historic resolution by the UN Human Rights Council to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the grave violations of human rights in North Korea? I thank our Government for their vital work on this subject, and I ask the Deputy Prime Minister to thank those many civil rights organisations, such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide, that have campaigned on this issue for many years.

Business of the House

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Thursday 21st March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. As usual, a very large number of hon. and right hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye. I remind the House that a statement by the Foreign Secretary will follow and it might be of interest to the House to know that the Budget debate today is very heavily subscribed, with almost 40 Members seeking to contribute. If I am to accommodate the level of interest expressed in the business statement, brevity from Back and Front Benchers alike will be imperative. We can be led in that mission by Fiona Bruce.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

What is the reaction of the Leader of the House to the proposals to change the chapel of St Mary Undercroft in this place to a multi-faith prayer room? There is already a multi-faith prayer room in Parliament and an Islamic prayer room in the Lords.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Wednesday 30th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. If Question Time is to be meaningful, questions and answers must be heard. We are discussing matters of momentous significance to the people concerned and it would show some respect if the House listened. Let us have a bit of order.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

T3. What is DFID doing to encourage funding applications from the small organisations and charities we all have in our constituencies which support schools, hospitals and other aid projects in the developing world, and which often provide excellent value for money?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Monday 27th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think that the Secretary of State meant “reneged” rather than “welshed”.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

T4. Does the Minister agree that the National Audit Office report’s conclusion that supporting apprenticeships, such as through the excellent Beartown apprenticeship scheme in my constituency, which partners schools, local businesses, the chamber of commerce and Plus Dane, can generate a return of £18 for every £1 invested? Does that not confirm the Government’s wisdom of putting apprenticeships at the heart of vocational learning?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Far too many noisy private conversations are taking place in the Chamber. I want to hear Fiona Bruce.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

6. What assistance police forces in Scotland provided during the public disorder in England in August 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Tuesday 3rd May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Graham Evans is not here, so I call Fiona Bruce.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

T2. rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, but in the circumstances the Foreign Secretary should first give a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

Yesterday I visited Cairo to underline the United Kingdom’s support for what the people of Egypt have achieved in the last three months and for their democratic and peaceful future. Across the middle east, this Government will continue to offer their support to ensure that the countries of the region can meet their people’s legitimate aspirations and that events do not result in the suppression of those aspirations, as we are seeing in countries such as Syria.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and John Bercow

Wednesday 9th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not wish to be unkind to new Ministers, but answers are, frankly, too long. They need to be shorter.

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the effects on voluntary organisations of the Government's regulatory and administrative requirements.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd): One of our priorities is to make it easier to run a voluntary organisation, so we are committed to clearing the thicket of bureaucracy that too often gets in the way of doing good and to setting up a joint task force with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to look at how we can reduce red tape for small organisations.