Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Chris Hinchliff

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter in the very sensitive way that he always does. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and we condemn attacks on religious grounds wherever they should happen and for whatever reason. The British high commission in Mozambique, alongside international partners, regularly engages with the relevant authorities and religious leaders to address violence and instability in the region. I encourage him to attend the debate on international human rights in Westminster Hall next week, at which I am sure his wise contribution will be appreciated.

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

Last year, against a target of restoring 5,000 hectares of ancient woodland in England, we managed a grand total of zero. It is little surprise, then, that Government analysis published this week shows that we continue to see wildlife decline across the board, yet certain commentators continue to peddle spurious narratives scapegoating nature for the failure of a corporatist economic system to deliver prosperity for ordinary people. May we have a debate on the true value of nature to our society and on how we can finally reverse decades of decline in our natural environment?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

There are some opportunities before the Christmas recess—the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is coming back, and we have the pre-recess Adjournment debate—when my hon. Friend may wish to raise these matters. He is right to raise concerns about nature. We are concerned about the natural environment, but we must also ensure that there is a balance between the development that we seek and need and a healthy natural environment.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Chris Hinchliff

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I welcome the hon. Gentleman back to his place and thank him for raising those important matters. The Nuremberg trials marked a reassertion of justice, human rights and accountability, and their 80th anniversary is a stark reminder of the need to commit to international criminal justice. That is one of the Government’s top priorities in supporting the international legal order. I will give consideration to what he says about a statement, but will also make sure that the Secretary of State for Education is aware of his comments.

I will certainly give consideration to the hon. Gentleman’s request for protected time; he knows that I am sympathetic to that. I do not think it is appropriate on every occasion, but I am sympathetic to it should the House be suspended for any reason. I will let him know about 11 December at the earliest opportunity. Yes, this week has been a little up and down in terms of sitting hours, with the debates and statements that we have had. It is always slightly difficult to get a balance, but let me say gently that it is not a problem for the Government and their business; it is a problem for the Opposition. If they cannot turn up in numbers to hold the Government to account, what are they doing?

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

Nearly two thirds of the land in our country is owned by a handful of aristocrats, oligarchs and bankers, who often hide their wealth in trusts, and corporations, which never die. May we have a debate on how we might raise more revenue from those ultra-rich landowners, and so afford some more generous proposals on agricultural property relief for the farmers who are essential for our food security, nature restoration and climate action?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue and join him in acknowledging the vital work that farmers do, which is one of the reasons why we are investing £5 billion over two years in the farming budget. I am not going to pre-empt the Budget, but I am sure that he will wish to amplify those points during the four days of debate on the Budget that I have just announced.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Chris Hinchliff

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the Chancellor will bring forward her Budget at the end of next month. Some of those issues may or may not be addressed in that, but there certainly will be days of debate after the Budget in which such issues can be discussed. In the meantime, however, I will draw the Chancellor’s attention to his points and, if we can, get a better answer than the one I can give him.

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Ind)]

Neil Whitehouse, a loving father and grandfather who lived in my constituency, sadly lost his fight with cancer earlier this year. Neil was a lifelong advocate of the NHS, but tragically delays in communication between NHS departments may have prevented him receiving earlier, lifesaving treatment. We cannot give back to Neil’s family the time they lost with him, but we can ensure that the NHS he loved learns the lessons from his case. May we have a debate on improving integration and communication within the NHS to honour Neil Whitehouse’s memory?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our condolences to the family and friends of Neil Whitehouse. The 10-year health plan will deliver a single patient record that will, following consultation, go live from 2028. We expect that to go towards resolving some of the issues the hon. Gentleman describes, but he may wish to look towards the Backbench Business Committee or an Adjournment debate to raise them, because I am sure colleagues across the House share his concerns.