Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Wednesday 10th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is certainly an innovative approach to the issue of invitations, upon which the hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami) is doubtless to be complimented.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Q14. There are nearly 50 dog attacks on UK postal workers every week, which is why I back the Communication Workers Union’s dog awareness week campaign this week. I hope the Prime Minister will join me in both supporting dog awareness week and in recognising that the law is not currently fit for purpose.Will the Prime Minister support Royal Mail and Parcelforce postal workers by launching an independent review of the effectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and of dog control more widely?

[The Prime Minister]

A number of steps have been taken over the years to legislate in relation to dangerous dogs, and we all recognise the problems that some postal workers face, including being subjected to attacks by dogs when they are just going about their business—going about a job that is of benefit to the people of our constituencies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Wednesday 3rd July 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I am sure we all want to send our deepest sympathies to Kirsty’s family and friends. We are determined to make sure that the UK is the safest place to be online, which involves tackling content that encourages suicide and self-harm. Working with the tech companies to get them to accept greater responsibility for the sort of material that is put out across their platforms has been a long-standing issue.

We have seen some tech companies take action to tackle the issue, and we want to ensure a more consistent response from companies to protect the safety and wellbeing of their users, especially those who are vulnerable. I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price), who has responsibility for suicide prevention, is aware of this aspect of online content. She is deeply concerned, and she will be writing to Amazon about it.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Q8. A promise was made to pensioners at the last general election that the Conservative party would protect free TV licences until the end of this Parliament. That promise has now been broken, and pensioners like my dad will pay the price. My dad will turn 90 in a few weeks’ time, and the TV is his main source of company. Like many other pensioners up and down the country, the TV is his companion.Prime Minister, in your last act before you stand down, will you return the free licence to the pensioners of this country?

[The Prime Minister]

First, may I send my very best wishes to the hon. Gentleman’s father for a happy birthday in a few weeks’ time?

The BBC received a good funding deal from the Government, and many people would ask why the BBC can raise the salary bill for its top performers and personalities while taking the action it has taken on TV licences. The BBC needs to think again.

European Council

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Monday 25th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I have always made it clear that there is a job to be done, and I am continuing to do that job.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Prime Minister, on your watch your deal has failed. The UK has seen austerity rise and food bank use rise, and now we hear that the Government will delay the repeal of the Swedish derogation, leaving thousands of agency staff financially worse off. So will plan B include any resignations?

[The Prime Minister]

May I point out to the hon. Gentleman that we have employment at a record high, our debt is falling, our deficit is falling, and we have seen the strongest period of quarterly growth of any country in the G7?

Leaving the EU

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The point of the backstop as an insurance policy is that it is a guarantee that, in all the circumstances that have been set out, there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, so it is a guarantee for people in Northern Ireland and for people in Ireland. I have been clear that the United Kingdom Government would not erect a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland but, as I have indicated and as has been clear from a number of questions today, the European Commission is also clear that, in a no-deal scenario, checks at the border would be expected.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Prime Minister, at the eleventh hour, you decided to contact the trade unions of Great Britain that represent the workers who create the wealth of this country. Did you get a good response?

[The Prime Minister]

I had positive discussions with trade union leaders and a positive discussion with the chairman of the CBI.

European Council

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I simply repeat to the hon. Gentleman the points that I have made about the vote that took place in 2016, and about the duty that we have in relation to that.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

This morning, when I went to my old workplace, Glasgow Parcelforce, where parcels containing goods are moved about, workers told me that they were worried about this Brexit deal. In my constituency, where unemployment is rising, workers are worried about their future. Has the Prime Minister a Christmas message for them, or does she want to revert to the 2017 general election?

[The Prime Minister]

I believe that it is right for this country to leave the European Union. That is what people voted for. I believe that it is right for us to leave with a good deal, and I believe that we have a good deal. Members have expressed some concerns about a particular aspect of that, and I am working to reassure them on that particular point. I hope that it will then be possible for Members to recognise the importance of protecting jobs, and to support a good deal for leaving the EU.

Exiting the European Union

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Monday 10th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

Revoking article 50 means staying in the European Union. That was not what people voted for in 2016.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

On Postal Workers Day, I thank all MPs for the extra Brexit mail.

Prime Minister, earlier you said:

“On the morning after the referendum two and a half years ago, I knew that we had witnessed a defining moment for our democracy.”

Prime Minister, this is a defining moment in our democracy. Your deal has failed, so will you call a general election or will you resign, just like David?

[The Prime Minister]

No.

Leaving the EU

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Hugh Gaffney

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We will, indeed, be that champion for the rules-based international order. I have been making that point in a number of forums, and I expect to continue to do so when I attend the G20 later this week.

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

Looking at the people behind the Prime Minister—there were many more of them earlier—it is obvious why she wants to hit the road and get out of this place. If she has not yet booked her ticket, I am happy to provide a one-way ticket. Can she confirm where and when she will meet the leaders of Britain’s trade unions, the representatives of the working people across the United Kingdom? They might be able to give her some tips on negotiation.

[The Prime Minister]

We have had discussions throughout the process with the trade unions, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union met Frances O’Grady very recently.