Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Monday 28th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk]

I am delighted that the settlement scheme is progressing at pace, with 2 million or so people signing up. However, some individuals in my constituency really benefit from face-to-face contact, so what steps are being taken, through pop-up shops or whatever, to ensure that they can get the vital hands-on support they need?

[Mr Speaker]

Stone followed by Chalk seems apposite.

GCHQ Centenary

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Thursday 11th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk]

The hon. Lady makes an excellent point extremely well. The strength of our civil servants is their scrupulous independence and preparedness to serve political masters of whatever hue. We see that across our civil service and we see it very clearly at GCHQ. That is its strength and that is what we must safeguard.

The point I really want to emphasise is that this is a nation that can defend itself because it has the capability, partnerships and resolve to do so in accordance with the law and with our values, and it is able to do so because of the skill and integrity of those working at GCHQ.

GCHQ’s centenary just so happens to coincide with the 175th anniversary of the first use of Morse code to send a message between cities. It is, therefore, perhaps fitting that I should conclude by playing a message to GCHQ in the form of Morse code, which will last for 13 seconds:

Happy birthday to GCHQ.

[Mr Speaker]

I think the whole House is grateful to the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward this debate and for the way in which he has conducted it. We look forward to the Minister’s reply.

Article 50 Extension Procedure

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Monday 18th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

What an unenviable choice between two very fine Members of Parliament! C comes before p in the alphabet; on that basis alone, I call Mr Alex Chalk.

[Alex Chalk]

The Minister indicated that the basis for the extension will be determined following a debate in this House next week. That is the week beginning 25 March, and we are leaving on Friday 29 March. How can we be satisfied that there is sufficient time for the debate to take place, the application to be made and for it to be approved or otherwise in that time?

European Union (Withdrawal) Act

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Tuesday 4th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sorry to trouble you with this, but in the course of proceedings yesterday, you gently rebuked me for intervening from a sedentary position on the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas). You went on to suggest that there had been general shouting and braying, and the Gloucestershire Echo is now reporting that I was admonished by you for participating in such behaviour. Would you be kind enough to confirm that there was no suggestion of braying or other disrespectful behaviour from me? It is not my style and I would be grateful if the position could be clarified so that the record and the Echo can be set straight.

[Mr Speaker]

I am very happy to set the record straight for the benefit of the hon. Gentleman. In all my experience of him, which is now quite considerable, I think I can say authoritatively that the hon. Gentleman and braying are complete strangers; they have never met. Indeed, other than by virtue of the fact that he is a well-educated fellow, I would question whether he would even know the meaning of “to bray.” The hon. Gentleman is in every other respect a good citizen. He did heckle, but he was not braying, and his behaviour is ordinarily not in any way unseemly, so he can tell his local newspaper to put that in their pipe—if they still have one—and smoke it.

Stalking Protection Bill

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

3rd reading: House of Commons & Report stage: House of Commons
Friday 23rd November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, a veritable slew of colleagues wishing to take part. I call Mr Alex Chalk.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

What a pleasure it is to say a few words in this debate.

Before I move on to the specifics, it is important to look at some of the context, because of course it was not until fairly recently that stalking was made a crime. Before 2012, the concept of stalking was perhaps not taken terribly seriously at all—it was almost considered something of a joke—but over the past decade there has been a recognition that, as my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) said, stalking is an insidious and wicked crime. I pay tribute to her work to ensure that society’s response truly fits the scale of the threat.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are grateful.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

T5. When does the Secretary of State expect to announce a plastic bottle deposit scheme?

EU Exit Negotiations

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Monday 15th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Mr Chalk, you seem to be losing your appetite—I hope not.

[Alex Chalk]

It is just because the question was asked so artfully before that I do not want to repeat it. May I repeat it, Mr Speaker? My right hon. Friend has made it clear that there is an impasse over the Northern Ireland backstop, but is she confident that with a constructive approach and good will on both sides it remains possible—and, indeed, it must be possible—to cut the Gordian knot?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Monday 10th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

Hon. Members on both sides of the House will want to be satisfied that our schools are getting a proper allocation of funding. Will my right hon. Friend indicate how UK education spending compares to the OECD average?

[Mr Speaker]

In relation to sixth-form students.

[Alex Chalk]

Precisely, Sir.

EU Withdrawal Agreement: Legislation

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Tuesday 24th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Devon versus Gloucestershire. I call Mr Kevin Foster.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Wednesday 6th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I just politely observe that the Front-Bench exchanges have absorbed a disproportionately large share of the time, but I am determined to accommodate Back Benchers who are waiting to ask their questions.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

Q9. The bottle- neck on the A417 continues to cause dreadful accidents, as well as traffic misery in Gloucestershire. Following the leadership of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and with the support of Members from Gloucestershire, the vital consultation stage on the shortlisted improvement proposals will begin shortly. Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister back the scheme, and does she agree that by committing hundreds of millions of pounds to this crucial project, the Government are backing the Gloucestershire economy?

Business of the House

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Thursday 8th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I feel very confident that, by one means or another, we will hear about Yemen in the Chamber next week.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

I was delighted to hear that there is to be a debate in this place about broadband, but discussions on broadband invariably tend to focus on rural areas. I have nothing against rural areas, but the reality is that there are pockets of urban areas, including my constituency of Cheltenham, that are affected. There are specific factors that affect urban areas. May we please have a debate on the roll-out of superfast broadband in urban areas?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Tuesday 25th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am afraid that this will be the last topical question.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

Does the Chancellor support Cheltenham’s Cyber Innovation Centre, and does he agree that spending on our world-class defence and security assets, such as GCHQ, can play a vital role in nurturing the high-tech civilian jobs of tomorrow?

Implementation of the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th October 2016 Commons Chamber

Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)

- Hansard -

I rise to present this petition on behalf of the residents of Cheltenham in the same terms as the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South. I thank the Cheltenham WASPI women for their dogged and dignified campaign.

The Petition of residents of Cheltenham.

[P001745]

Mr Speaker

- Hansard - - Excerpts

That was all very efficiently completed by my colleagues in under half an hour. Thank you very much indeed for your co-operation. We come now to the Adjournment. May I appeal to Members who are leaving the Chamber to do so quickly and quietly, so that the hon. Member for Halifax (Holly Lynch) can present her case and be heard?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Thursday 26th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We will get to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk) in due course. He need fear not.

Safety in Custody and Violence in Prisons

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Monday 9th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Alex Chalk.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

My question was already ably asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Victoria Prentis).

[Mr Speaker]

What an extraordinary and novel development—an hon. Member who does not indulge in superfluous repetition. The hon. Gentleman is in danger of winning a medal. It is an extraordinary development, and very welcome, I am sure.

Enterprise Bill [Lords]

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Chalk is a most courteous Member of the House. Just as he is courteous to the House, the House must be courteous to the hon. Gentleman. Let us hear from Mr Chalk.

[Alex Chalk]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. How can it any longer be right for politicians in Westminster to block local people in Cheltenham, for example, from amending trading hours if that is what they choose to do?

Draft Investigatory Powers Bill

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Wednesday 4th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. More than three dozen hon. and right hon. Members are still seeking to catch my eye. If I am to have any realistic chance of accommodating them without intruding excessively on subsequent business, brevity is now required.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

Constituents of mine who work at GCHQ are some of the most talented and dedicated public servants anywhere in our country, but they are also conscientious and scrupulous about acting within the law. Does the Secretary of State agree that these measures contain a clear authorisation and oversight framework, including a welcome judicial element, which can command public confidence and, crucially, allow GCHQ employees to do their vital work with professionalism and pride?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Chalk and John Bercow

Thursday 2nd July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think the Solicitor General is telling us that he is not all that keen on the idea, if one interprets the lawyer-speak.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

Installing temporary IT equipment in courts for SFO prosecutions is eye-wateringly expensive and a drain on SFO resources. Does the Solicitor General agree that we need to look again at this issue to establish whether the taxpayer is getting value for money?