Business of the House
Catherine Fookes Excerpts(2 weeks, 6 days ago)
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Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend is right to raise Parliament Week and the vital role that it plays in educating our young people about the important institutions of our democracy, including Parliament. I do not know how many events he had in his constituency, but I had 37 in mine. I believe that, yet again, Mr Speaker was top of the list for number of events in his constituency. My hon. Friend will know that this Government have instigated an independent curriculum and assessment review. Citizenship education, and ensuring an education for life, are absolutely vital if we are to uphold our democratic institutions in the future.
Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Laura Kyrke- Smith) for mentioning “Bake Off”. We need to give a shout-out to the excellent Georgie from Wales, who won the competition and whose star is surely on the rise.
Across my constituency of Monmouthshire, there are homes and villages without any broadband connection, including Whitebrook, which literally has no connection whatsoever. In some communities, such as the village of Llangwm, the providers are totally inadequate. I know how frustrating it can be to have no internet. I have been on a Zoom call when my children were playing on their Xbox, and we had a bit of a row because I had to ask them to get off. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, it is extremely difficult if people cannot make a phone call or get online. I recognise the excellent work that the Government are undertaking to expand access to broadband across Britain through Project Gigabit, but I worry for small rural communities that have yet to be reached. Will the Leader of the House find Government time for a debate on rural broadband?
Business of the House
Catherine Fookes Excerpts(1 month ago)
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Lucy Powell
I am sorry to hear of the hon. Gentleman’s frustrating experiences. If he wants to send me details of the questions that he was asking—I do not know the figures, because he did not mention them—I will certainly ensure that he receives that reply, but I am sure that the Home Secretary will continue to update the House regularly on the action we are taking to tackle illegal migration and the huge backlog that was left by his party.
Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)
On Sunday, in Abergavenny in my constituency, we were was rocked by a huge fire that destroyed a heritage building. Two high street businesses were destroyed, Magic Cottage charity shop and Cable News, and several other businesses remain closed because of the impact. I am sure that the House will want to join me in sending best wishes to all those affected, and to salute Paul Cable, whose early reporting of the fire meant that no one was hurt. I want to extend my thanks to the brave and dedicated staff of South Wales fire and rescue service, and also to Gwent police. Will the Leader of the House find Government time for us to debate the importance of our police and fire services in keeping our constituents safe?
Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend raises an issue of grave importance to her constituency, and I am pleased to join her in thanking Paul Cable, Gwent police and South Wales fire and rescue service for the tremendous job that they did in preventing the fire from being a bigger tragedy than it was. Our firefighters operate in challenging and high-risk environments, and the Government absolutely value the work that they do.