Functioning of Government

Debate between Jeff Smith and Michael Ellis

Thursday 7th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

I am unable to answer the hon. Member’s question. The Committees of this House will continue in the normal way of business.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

The majority of those who left the Government have referred to the Prime Minister’s lack of integrity, honour, honesty and competence. They surely cannot return to work for such a man, even on a temporary basis. To get a functioning Government, we need a full set of Ministers and we need a swift transition. Will the Paymaster General at least convey that message to No. 10 and to his Cabinet colleagues?

Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests Resignation

Debate between Jeff Smith and Michael Ellis

Thursday 16th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

I venture to suggest that the hon. Lady’s constituents will find it surprising that in the past six months Labour has focused constantly on personalities and not on policies. The reason has to be that when it comes to policy, Labour loses.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

I am sure that the Minister will agree that principles and standards in public life must be upheld. Can he confirm from the Dispatch Box that the Government have no plans whatsoever to abolish the role of the independent adviser on ministerial interests?

[Michael Ellis]

I can only reiterate what I have said before.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Michael Ellis

Thursday 20th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney General]

One of the things that we will be looking at is the cloud video platform. The CPSI report published recently recognised the flexibility and adaptability of the CPS in responding to the pandemic. The cloud video platform was enabling around 20,000 virtual hearings a week, and post pandemic I am sure we will be looking at that among many other things.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab) [V]]

If the Government are serious about tackling the backlog of court cases, will the Attorney General explain why his colleague in the Ministry of Justice has halved the amount spent annually on recorded sitting days in the past five years, from £19 million to £9.5 million?