Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Wednesday 14th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

I would condemn any such undue influence, and I suspect that the hon. Gentleman and I agree on that wholeheartedly. It is really important that postal voters are aware that their vote is theirs alone. That was the subject of a major awareness campaign at past local elections, and we hope to see similar again.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend examine what happened at the local elections last year, particularly those in London? Large numbers of voters were added to the register, had postal votes and then disappeared off the electoral register very soon afterwards. There are clearly potentially fraudulent activities at work.

[Chloe Smith]

I would certainly expect returning officers to look into that carefully, and I would support them in their efforts to do so. It is difficult for me to make any more detailed comments on that from the Dispatch Box, but in general terms we certainly wish to keep the postal voting process secure and safe and to ensure that that process contributes to the overall integrity of our elections.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

T3. What progress has my hon. Friend made in allowing the Jain community to declare their religion in the new census, and will she agree to meet a delegation from the community?

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chloe Smith)]

Yes, and I look forward to that meeting. Since the response to consultation on the matter in May 2016, the Office for National Statistics has continued to consult stakeholders, and has met the members of the all-party group on Jainism. It is considering all the evidence provided, and will finalise its recommendations shortly.

Infected Blood Inquiry

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Thursday 29th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

I will write to the hon. Gentleman on that point in order to give him the fullest possible answer.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

Victims of other scandals, such as Epilim—valproate—and surgical mesh, report that they have not always been properly represented by the interested groups. Will my hon. Friend therefore ensure that those individuals who feel they are not being represented by particular interested groups have access to proper legal aid so they can put forward their case, rather than just being represented by a group of people?

[Chloe Smith]

My hon. Friend makes an important point, and one that the chair of the inquiry has also pointed at: that he wants people’s real voices to be heard. Some will feel comfortable for that to be done on their behalf through campaign groups—I pay tribute to the work of many of those groups, which have walked these long miles over the years—but others will prefer to do it in their own individual ways. I hope that the decision I have relayed to the House this morning can accommodate both.

As I mentioned, the consultation on the terms of reference is still live, and I encourage constituents of every right hon. and hon. Member to have a look at it and participate. The way that is produced is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, and therefore as open as possible to those who wish to respond in their own right. None the less, as I have said today, all reasonable expenses properly incurred in this respect will be looked at by the inquiry.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Wednesday 28th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We have a lot to get through. Quick sentences please.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend reissue the requirements that all political parties have to honour on donations, so that no one can fall foul of the rules?

[Chloe Smith]

I welcome my hon. Friend’s reminder that we all simply have to abide by the law of this country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Wednesday 20th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that we in this House want to see no new borders inside the United Kingdom. We think that the Union is a precious thing that must be preserved. I will also just note, as I did to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Tony Lloyd), that the relationship that we have with the Irish Government and that we want to continue to have with them should be one of close partners. We should work together to ensure the prosperity of the people in Northern Ireland, and I shall leave it to the Irish Government to continue to hold that strong relationship with us.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Bob Blackman

Wednesday 13th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

There are two things to say. First, we would like to see additional economic co-operation within Northern Ireland—namely, the possibility of there being city deals. Secondly, the hon. Gentleman’s comments about corporation tax clearly remind us that we need to work towards the restoration of an Executive who can take such decisions for the good of the people of Northern Ireland.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to ensure good governance and political stability in Northern Ireland.