Oral Answers to Questions

Adam Afriyie Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Richard Benyon (Newbury) (Con)]

4. What the outcomes were of the October 2018 London global ministerial mental health summit.

[Adam Afriyie (Windsor) (Con)]

16. What the outcomes were of the October 2018 London global ministerial mental health summit.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock)]

This month, we hosted the world’s first ever global ministerial mental health summit. Over 60 countries were represented, and they were united in the ambition to achieve equality for mental and physical health. The legacy of the summit will continue, with the baton now passed to the Netherlands, which has committed to host next year.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I call Adam Afriyie.

[Adam Afriyie]

Question 16, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

No, the question has been grouped. The moment is now; the chance is here—let us hear from the hon. Gentleman.

[Adam Afriyie]

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the admonishment, or encouragement—

[Mr Speaker]

Encouragement.

[Adam Afriyie]

Thank you very much.

It strikes me that every person in this Chamber, every one of our constituents and every household across the country will have been affected by the issue of suicide, whether among family, friends or colleagues. The causes of suicide are multi-faceted—there are so many, including mental health—so I welcome the new ministerial responsibility. Will my right hon. Friend clarify precisely what the role will entail in government?