Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Richard Drax

Wednesday 5th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The only other record is the length of the answers. Maybe we can speed up with Richard Drax.

[Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con)]

I associate myself with your comments about the NHS, Mr Speaker.

My constituents in Weymouth and Portland and I are getting a little tired of being told that placing a migrant barge in our port is in the national interest. It is neither in the national interest nor in ours. The barge, designed for 222, will accommodate 506 illegal migrants, already testing our overstretched resources. It was imposed on us without any consultation. There are many concerns both about the barge and about what the 506 young men will do, going around a seaside resort at the height of the summer, unmonitored and with little money. Will my right hon. Friend stop it, and ask my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to do likewise?

Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Richard Drax

Thursday 16th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Richard Drax]

I will not, because we do not have time and others wish to speak.

Because of pandering to the green lobby and unachievable targets, oil and gas companies face punitive tax rates such as the 50% corporation tax rate and a 35% windfall levy. As the war in Europe has reminded us, energy security is paramount. Over-reliance on supply from overseas has left many countries—not just us—vulnerable to fluctuation in prices and supply. Regrettably, we are a long way from ending our reliance on fossil fuels, so surely it is common sense to encourage investment here at home, not to increase our carbon footprint by importing from abroad.

Before I conclude, I must mention defence. While the extra £11 billion over five years is to be welcomed, it is not nearly enough, with little—if any—of that money going to our conventional forces. This at a time when the world is increasingly unstable. Arbitrary figures for defence spending plucked out of thin air by both sides demean our armed forces and us in the House. In the face of some very real threats, a thorough appreciation needs to be undertaken and the defence budget set accordingly. To be an effective NATO partner, we need the mass to sustain a prolonged and major confrontation. Right now, we do not have it.

I conclude on a point of caution. As I hinted strongly at the start of my speech, this over-reliance on Government to provide the solution to everything must stop. It is simply unsustainable. Our Conservative Government would do well to recall the words of JFK in his inaugural address:

“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

[Mr Speaker]

We now come to the maiden speech of Ashley Dalton.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Richard Drax

Monday 10th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We will ignore that and go to Richard Drax.

[Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. May I, too, pass on my condolences to Jack’s family and friends? It is indeed a sad loss.

I am clutching at two words—Army estate—in asking this question. On a recent visit to the Special Boat Service—our Marines special forces—I was shocked to find that it does not have a proper aquatic centre. Will my hon. Friend the Minister tell me and the House when and if the Special Boat Service will get a proper aquatic centre to do vital training in?

Integrated Review

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Richard Drax

Tuesday 16th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think we need to be careful about what allegations we are making.

[Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con) [V]]

“Global Britain” remains the buzzword, and our armed forces have a key role to play with the integrated review. With that in mind, and given the many responsibilities that my right hon. Friend has committed to, can he reassure me that he will expand the Army to 100,000 as our chief ally, the US, has recommended, rather than see it wither on the vine to 72,000 by cutting recruiting, thereby avoiding redundancies?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the Army, including reserves, will be over 100,000, but it is the duty of this Government to take the tough decisions that are necessary to modernise our armed forces as well. That is why we are investing £24 billion and undoing some of the mistakes that I am afraid were made by the previous Labour Government.

Covid-19: Repatriation of UK Nationals

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Richard Drax

Wednesday 29th April 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Richard Drax.

[Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con) [V]]

[Inaudible.]

[Mr Speaker]

In that case, we will go to Alistair Carmichael.