Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 6th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[John Lamont]

As the son of a Borders farmer, I completely understand the invaluable work that farmers and crofters do to put food on tables across Scotland and the United Kingdom. This Government will continue to support the agriculture and food production sector. Scotland Office Ministers regularly attend the inter-ministerial group for environment, food and rural affairs, along with representatives from the devolved Administrations. This group oversees how changes to price, supply and trade affect our markets. We will continue to take whatever action is necessary support that important sector.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

7. What assessment he has made of the potential implications of allegations of impropriety in public life for his Department's work on strengthening the Union.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

Our Union is strong. [Interruption.] Yes, it is. Scotland’s contribution to our United Kingdom is beyond doubt, and this Government’s commitment to Scotland is without question. From freeports and investment zones to the record block grant and £1.5 billion for the 12 city and region growth deals, we deliver for Scotland.

[Cat Smith]

SNP MPs have been disengaged from Westminster for years. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is a disgrace that its deputy leader has said that its MPs will not engage should the party win seats at the next general election? Does he also agree that Members elected to this House should turn up and do their job?

[Mr Jack]

I agree with the hon. Lady.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 17th May 2023 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17 May.

[The Deputy Prime Minister (Oliver Dowden)]

I have been asked to reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. He is currently travelling to Japan to attend the G7 summit.

I am sure that colleagues from across the House will join me in congratulating Liverpool on its wonderful staging of the Eurovision song contest on behalf of Ukraine.

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Cat Smith]

The Royal Lancaster Infirmary is a 130-year-old crumbling hospital. It was meant to be one of the Government’s 40 new hospitals. However, the funding announcement has been delayed four times already. Can the Deputy Prime Minister reassure my constituents that this is not going to be another broken Tory promise?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I can absolutely assure the hon. Lady that we remain fully committed to those 40 hospitals from our manifesto. Indeed, we have already provided £3.9 billion-worth of initial capital.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

2. What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s work on strengthening the Union of allegations of impropriety in public life.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s work on strengthening the Union of allegations of impropriety in public life.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Jack]

The Prime Minister put integrity at every level in this Government when he came in, and he acted decisively in appointing an independent ethics adviser. When he received the report on the incident the hon. Gentleman refers to, he acted immediately.

[Cat Smith]

In Scotland and across the UK, Parliament is being dragged down by Tory and SNP sleaze and impropriety. In Holyrood, Committees have been ignored, processes have been run over roughshod, and the responsibility to be truly accountable to both Parliaments, the press and the public has been ignored by Ministers of both Governments. Does the Secretary of State not agree that we need a reformed and renewed constitution across the country that is fit for a democratised United Kingdom?

[Mr Jack]

I did not catch all of that, but I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave earlier. There is a ministerial code that sets standards of behaviour for Ministers, and Ministers are personally responsible for how they conduct themselves. Ultimately, the Prime Minister is the judge and I think he is a man of integrity. I trust him to make the right decisions.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 11th January 2023 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 11 January.

[The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)]

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Cat Smith]

There are no NHS dentists taking on patients in Lancaster and Fleetwood, and those constituents of mine who are lucky enough to have one are waiting months for an appointment. How long did the Prime Minister have to wait for his last NHS dentist appointment?

[The Prime Minister]

As a result of the new reformed NHS dentistry contract, there are now more NHS dentists across the UK, with more funding, making sure that people can get the treatment they need. Let me answer the hon. Lady directly. I am registered with an NHS GP. I have used independent healthcare in the past—[Interruption.] I will answer her question. I am registered with an NHS GP. I have used independent healthcare in the past, and I am grateful to the Friarage Hospital for the fantastic care that it has given my family over the years. The truth is, I am proud to come from an NHS family, and that is why I am passionately committed to protecting the NHS with more funding, more doctors and nurses and a clear plan to cut the waiting lists.