Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd June 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

If the hon. Lady wants to support the working people of this country, I suggest she gets off the picket line, has a word with her party leader and supports the travelling public of this country, who want to see a reduction in their transport costs, which this Government are delivering.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

Q10.   For much of Britain levelling up means the revitalisation of British industry and the jobs that go with it. Many countries around the world, including Germany and China, get a competitive advantage by burning lignite, the dirtiest form of fossil fuel. Does my right hon. Friend share my concerns about the ethics of holding back British industry and exporting—and magnifying—our carbon emissions overseas, all in the name of net zero?

[The Prime Minister]

We can all be proud of the way we have reduced CO₂ emissions in this country, but plainly it makes no sense to be importing coal, particularly for metallurgical purposes, when we have our own domestic resources.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd December 2020 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2 December.

[The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)]

Today, I am proudly wearing purple to celebrate the International Day for Disabled People, which is of course tomorrow. Next year, we will publish our national strategy for disabled people, which will be the most ambitious intervention in this area for a generation, putting fairness at the heart of the Government’s work and levelling up so that everybody has the opportunity fully to participate in the life of this country.

I know that the whole House will want to join me in welcoming the fantastic news that the MHRA—the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency—has formally authorised the Pfizer vaccine for covid-19. The vaccine will begin to be made available across the UK from next week. I would like to pay tribute to and to thank all those who have made this possible. It is the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get our economy moving again.

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

[Chris Green]

I would like to share in the congratulations of the Prime Minister on the creation of this new vaccine and the speed with which it has been got out, and to give those congratulations especially to the engineers, technicians and scientists who have delivered it. I believe that we should support the widest distribution and take-up of safe and effective medicines, but does my right hon Friend agree with me that it should always be taken on a wholly voluntary basis by individuals and families?

[The Prime Minister]

Absolutely. I strongly urge people to take up the vaccine, but it is no part of our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory. That is not how we do things.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Wednesday 20th June 2018 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

1. What recent discussions she has had with Northern Ireland political parties on the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen Bradley)]

I meet the political parties in Northern Ireland regularly to discuss a range of issues including the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. As I have said repeatedly, these conversations are no replacement for a fully functioning, locally elected and accountable Executive.

[Chris Green]

As part of my right hon. Friend’s discussions with the political parties, what steps has she taken to ensure good governance and stability?

[Karen Bradley]

During my discussions with political parties, I do need to ensure that we discuss a range of issues, such as the appointments that cannot be made in the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers. I am actively considering the issue of those public appointments, including assessing what action could be taken to address the problem. I will return to the House before the recess to set out my course of action in more detail.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Wednesday 15th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

Yes, I certainly can. We are convinced of the need to go out and seek opportunities around the globe that will bring more jobs to Northern Ireland, and greater prosperity to both Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom, because we are stronger together.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

5. What plans he has to support the development of city deals in Northern Ireland.

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

12. What plans he has to support the development of city deals in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire)]

The Government have a clear manifesto commitment to work towards a comprehensive and ambitious set of city deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and help to unlock Northern Ireland’s full potential. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and I have already had some early discussions with partners in the Belfast city region.

[Chris Green]

I welcome my right hon. Friend’s commitment to developing city deals in Northern Ireland. Can he confirm that the city deals that have been developed by this Government have been a success across Great Britain and that Northern Ireland stands to benefit immensely from their development over there?

[James Brokenshire]

I can. The fact is that Northern Ireland has had no city deals, whereas England, Scotland and Wales have made 33 deals worth up to £4.9 billion. This is about the change that city deals bring and the other finance that city deals are able to unlock. That is why we strongly believe there is a firm place for city deals in Northern Ireland, and we are committed to advancing them.