Points of Order

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Thursday 10th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is extraordinarily public spirited of the hon. Gentleman to seek to help me with the arithmetic in case I was not able to manage it for myself, but I am deeply obliged to him for his point of order. What I would say to him in response is that all Members of the House, including Ministers, are responsible for the content of their answers and other statements to the House. If a Minister has made an error inadvertently—I think the hon. Gentleman acknowledges that it would be inadvertent—it is up to the Minister to correct the record. The hon. Gentleman has effectively drawn the matter to the attention of the Minister by raising it in the Chamber and it will be in the Official Report. I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that that is the effect of what he has done. We will leave it there for the time being, but I know that he will be keeping an eye on the matter.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Is it in order to raise a matter affecting another Member’s constituency without giving notice? The hon. Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen) has just said that the Welsh Government support may distort markets. I understand that any Welsh Government support for a race track in my constituency is absolutely above board. I suggest that the—

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I will help the hon. Gentleman.

[Nick Smith]

I suggest that the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman does not need to pursue his point of order any further; I am extremely grateful to him for what he has said thus far. He asked me a question and the answer is that what the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire did was in order. If a Member were to raise a matter very narrowly focused on an individual constituency that was not his or her own, it would normally be thought courteous to notify that Member of the intention. If, as in this case—I hope my short-term memory is not deserting me—a Member raises a matter relating to the Welsh Government and a particular policy, he is not under any obligation to notify Members. The hon. Gentleman has required the time to go on to explain what the implications could or could not be, but in this case the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire has not erred. The hon. Gentleman has taken the opportunity to air his particular point and I know that he will feel appreciative of that fact.

Bill Presented

Immigration Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Theresa May, supported by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Chris Grayling, Mr Secretary Pickles, Mr Secretary Hunt, Mr Secretary McLoughlin, Mr Francis Maude, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr David Laws and Mr Mark Harper, presented a Bill to make provision about immigration law; to limit, or otherwise make provision about, access to services, facilities and employment by reference to immigration status; to make provision about marriage and civil partnership involving certain foreign nationals; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 110) with explanatory notes (Bill 110-EN).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Thursday 28th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I have been informed that the microphones are not working. I am sure that the Minister will make himself heard.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Why are the Government not more committed to railway infrastructure? According to the National Audit Office in the 2010 spending review, they cut planned spending on rail by £1,287 million.

Business of the House

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Thursday 13th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is a curious phenomenon in the House that when there are fewer Members standing—and fewer are standing today than is often the case at business questions—exchanges seem to lengthen to absorb available time. May I gently exhort the House to be pithy because there is a statement to follow and other business. If we can treat these matters succinctly, that would help.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

May we please have a statement on undiagnosed cleft palates in new babies? The Royal College of Surgeons has found wide variations across the UK. In North Thames, only 42% of cleft palates are identified at birth, whereas in Oxford the figure is 94%. The Government really must do better by mums and babies on this issue.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Wednesday 4th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith]

The Secretary of State is aware of the so-called punishment attacks by paramilitaries on young people in Northern Ireland. These attacks are increasing, particularly in Derry, by a group styling itself Republican Action Against Drugs. What every community needs is strong policing, not vigilantes. Will he proscribe this group? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I remind the House that we are discussing the security situation in Northern Ireland? This is a matter of the utmost seriousness, and I think that some display of attention would be appreciated by the people of Northern Ireland.

Carrier Strike Capability

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Thursday 10th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We can leave it at that. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), but in future, a question mark would be appreciated.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State confirm if he has investigated whether Mr Adam Werritty met any companies or lobbyists involved in the original very bad decision?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Gerry Sutcliffe. Not here.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the management and disclosure of evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Defence Reform

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Monday 27th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The Secretary of State should not be quite so hard on himself.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State tell us more about how these reforms will deter future cyber-attacks?

Health

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Tuesday 21st December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Anne Milton]

I am happy to give way.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister is of course welcome to take the hon. Gentleman’s intervention, but she still has a few contributions to respond to, and we need to make some progress.

[Nick Smith]

I welcome the proposal to ask local authorities to take responsibility for public health—in the round, that is a good thing—but will they get the resources to do that job?

Business of the House

Debate between Nick Smith and John Bercow

Thursday 24th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Mr Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Yesterday in Parliament the Prime Minister said, in regard to employment, that the Government would

“introduce our work programme, which will be the biggest, boldest scheme in…. history”.—[Official Report, 23 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 288.]

Unemployment in my constituency is almost 12%. The Labour Government’s future jobs fund has been a tremendous success, creating nearly 500 jobs, but when will we have a proper debate? When will we have further discussion and much more information about this important subject?