Blacklisting

Debate between Chuka Umunna and Joan Walley

Wednesday 23rd January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Umunna]

Absolutely. What I find so reprehensible about this is that a person could be blacklisted simply for raising a rational, legitimate health and safety concern.

[Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

This is an absolutely appalling situation, and the cover-up has been going on for a long time. The companies concerned must know what has been happening. The 22 companies to which my hon. Friend referred operate in constituencies all around the UK. Is it not important that they come clean, and show how they have been covering up attempts by trade unionists to ensure health and safety at work, so as to avoid accidents? It is just appalling.

[Mr Umunna]

My hon. Friend is quite right. There has been a culture of denial; people are sticking their head in the sand, but the public and people working in the industry deserve some honesty.

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Debate between Chuka Umunna and Joan Walley

Monday 11th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Umunna]

We will wait to see the detail that the Government come forward with in Committee. We are clear that the bank needs to step in to fill the funding gap if we are to green our economy. It is with that in mind that we will decide our position, as and when the Secretary of State comes forward with the detail.

[Joan Walley]

To go back one step, what my hon. Friend just read out about the need for borrowing powers was exactly the recommendation of the Environmental Audit Committee. In the Public Bill Committee, will he explore with the Government what progress has been made in respect of state aid rules to ensure that there is no impediment to getting this off the ground?

[Mr Umunna]

I will be happy to do that. My hon. Friend is, of course, the Chair of that Select Committee.