Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Roger Gale

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in congratulating Bathgate railway station, its staff and the volunteers who helped to bring the celebration together. I particularly mention volunteers because they play such an important role in our local communities. It is vital that communities have access to joined-up transport systems. The Government have recently announced the “Better Connected” strategy for England, so we are on the side of the people she is talking about.

[Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)]

Many Members of the House, possibly including you, Mr Speaker, will have received communications from retired civil servants who are facing personal and financial distress as a result of the failure of Capita—the company handling the pensions—to deliver properly. Will the Leader of the House be good enough to write to the Cabinet Secretary and ask her to get a grip and sort out this mess, and seek to ensure that Capita receives no further Government contracts of any kind until this matter is fully, finally and satisfactorily resolved?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As has been said on a number of occasions in Business questions and beyond, the Government are absolutely of the view that such delays are unacceptable. This is not the service that people deserve, and resolving it is a matter of the utmost urgency. An urgent recovery plan is under way, and loans are available in the meantime to provide immediate financial support where it is needed. As the right hon. Gentleman reasonably requests, I will write to the Cabinet Secretary and make her aware of the situation, and get an update for him.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Roger Gale

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend again raises these matters, which have been raised consistently in the past few weeks by Members across the House. I hope that the Royal Mail, which listens to these matters, has heard what he has said. My right hon. Friend the Business Secretary has discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the chief executive, and the fact that it needs to do more to meet service delivery targets. Ofcom has fined Royal Mail three times on its service levels, and it is investigating Royal Mail’s compliance with its service quality obligations. My hon. Friend is right that it does not matter where someone lives; they deserve a good postal delivery system. Ofcom needs to continue to hold Royal Mail to account.

[Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)]

Much has been said, rightly, in support of the women and girls who suffered at the hands of Epstein. Another group who must not be forgotten are the dozens of young women who were raped and sexually assaulted by Mohamed Fayed. Fayed is dead and has been judged in a higher place, but those who aided and abetted him are still under investigation by the Metropolitan police, and they must be brought to justice. That investigation is taking too long. Will the Leader of the House please invite the Home Secretary to make a statement about the progress of that inquiry and to indicate when some action may be brought in support of these ladies?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise this terrible case. Simply because the perpetrator is no longer here does not mean that the suffering gets any better for the people who have been affected. I am sure the Metropolitan police will have heard the right hon. Gentleman’s comments this morning, but I will raise the matter with the Home Secretary to see whether further progress can be made.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Roger Gale

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I first want to recognise the fantastic work that my hon. Friend did as my predecessor’s Parliamentary Private Secretary. I thank her for what I assume, therefore, is her first business question. A 350-mile bike ride is a terrific achievement, and I join her in recognising the importance of the work that the Sikh Helpline does for its local community. That is the sort of matter that could perhaps be raised in an Adjournment debate.

[Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)]

I too welcome the new Leader of the House to his position. I suspect he will have rather more fun at the Dispatch Box than his successor in the Government Whips Office will. I associate myself with his kind remarks about Colin Lee, whose service as one of the Clerks of the House has been exemplary. As one of the longest-serving members of the Speaker’s Panel of Chairs, I have had the pleasure of working with Colin over very many years. He will be sorely missed, and the House owes him a huge debt of gratitude.

Charities in the United Kingdom working in Africa tell me that as a result of the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development, women and children are dying in droves. The House will not be sitting when President Trump visits the United Kingdom, so we will not have an opportunity to send a clear message from this House at that time, but the Prime Minister will have an opportunity. Will the Leader of the House ask the Prime Minister to place on the agenda for discussion in the margins the withdrawal of USAID from Africa, which is having such a devastating effect?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will commit to making the Prime Minister aware of what the right hon. Gentleman has asked, and I hope that will be heard when the President visits. Given the right hon. Gentleman’s experience and voice, I am pretty sure that message will be heard loud and clear.