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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 05 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"Has the Minister had the opportunity to consider the report by the Andersons Centre for CropLife UK? It estimates that if a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the European Union was implemented without a suitable implementation period, it could result in steep drops in UK crop production and a total …..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

View all Alistair Carmichael (LD - Orkney and Shetland) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Written Question
Telecommunications Cables
Wednesday 4th February 2026

Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of plans to replace the copper wire communications network.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The modernisation of the UK’s telecoms networks is essential as the older networks are deteriorating and becoming unreliable.

However, it is vital that customers are safely migrated off the old analogue Public Switched Telephone Network to modern digital networks.

To strengthen industry’s plans, in November 2024, this Government secured additional safeguards - including identifying vulnerable people, the provision of free battery back-ups, and free engineer visits if needed.

Division Vote (Commons)
3 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context
Alistair Carmichael (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 61 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 458 Noes - 104
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"4. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of UK defence resources in the High North. ..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

View all Alistair Carmichael (LD - Orkney and Shetland) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"May I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your words about the late Lord Wallace of Tankerness? Jim Wallace was not just my predecessor in this House; he was a friend and, in fact, my London flatmate for many years. I am sure that his family and all those who mourn …..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

View all Alistair Carmichael (LD - Orkney and Shetland) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 02 Feb 2026
Indefinite Leave to Remain

"The hon. and learned Gentleman is making a compelling case. The position is particularly acute in island communities, where we need to bring people in to be part of our community. Their role is welcomed, as we cannot just ship workers in from another town or village 10, 15 or …..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

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Scheduled Event - Thursday 22nd January - Add to calendar
View Source
Commons - Backbench Business - Main Chamber
General Debate on government support for the fishing industry
MP: Alistair Carmichael
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"I can tell the Minister that the promises made by telecoms companies about the withdrawal of copper landlines have not been kept. A recent power outage that covered both Caithness and Orkney left my constituents without any landline connectivity or mobile connectivity, as there was no power to the mobile …..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Fishing Industry

"Will the hon. Gentleman give way?..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

View all Alistair Carmichael (LD - Orkney and Shetland) contributions to the debate on: Fishing Industry
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Fishing Industry

"Well, what on earth did they expect? They asked for devolution. With devolution comes Barnettisation. Is the hon. Member going to stand there and tell us that the SNP Government did ask for the rebasing that we have seen previously? I have certainly never heard that suggested, and we have …..."
Alistair Carmichael - View Speech

View all Alistair Carmichael (LD - Orkney and Shetland) contributions to the debate on: Fishing Industry