Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and Stuart Andrew

Thursday 18th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

7. If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of national symbols by commercial and other entities.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stuart Andrew)]

The correct use of many national symbols, such as royal names, state emblems, the royal arms and the Government coat of arms, is already subject to Government regulation.

[Andrew Rosindell]

I think many people would be quite angered by the way certain national organisations have tried to change our national flags, the cross of St George and the Union Jack. Is it not time that we protected and cherished our national symbols by appointing a Minister of the Crown from the Cabinet Office to oversee that? Will the Minister also look at the Union Flag Bill of 2008, which would enshrine in legislation the protection of our cherished national flag?

[Stuart Andrew]

The Union Jack should be a unifying symbol for the whole country. It has looked the way it has for the past several hundred years and I see no point in messing around with it. I am not sure that we need legislation; we just need some common sense.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and Stuart Andrew

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

T2. Will the Secretary of State categorically reassure the House that the Government will stop forthwith handing over control of national security assets via the EU defence and procurement schemes?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Stuart Andrew)]

The UK remains unconditionally committed to European security by playing a leading role in NATO and maintaining our strong transatlantic links. The UK will retain sovereign control over its armed forces. The agreement simply allows us to work together when we think that is in our best interests. That will only be as a third-party relationship, respecting the UK’s sovereignty and the EU’s autonomy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and Stuart Andrew

Wednesday 6th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the plan to merge the British Transport Police Scottish division with Police Scotland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stuart Andrew)]

The UK Government are working closely with the Scottish Government, the two police forces and police authorities through a joint programme board to ensure that effective arrangements are in place for cross-border railway policing once responsibilities have been transferred. The safety and security of rail passengers and staff remains our No. 1 priority.

[Andrew Rosindell]

I hear the Minister’s reply, but does he agree that this proposal would let down hard-working and dedicated British Transport police officers and staff in Scotland, who are largely against these changes, and that this ideologically driven merger should not go ahead?

[Stuart Andrew]

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. As he knows, we are committed to the devolution of powers for railway policing to Scotland and the Scottish Government. We are keeping the promises made in the Scotland Act 2016. Our priority is that the powers are transferred safely and orderly. How the powers are used, however, is a decision for the Scottish Government and they should be rightly held to account by the Scottish Parliament. My hon. Friend will know that our colleagues in Holyrood share his serious concerns and they strongly oppose the SNP’s plans. I am sure that they will have heard the point he has made today.