National Citizen Service Bill [Lords]

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

3rd reading: House of Commons & Report stage: House of Commons
Wednesday 15th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The question is that the amendment be made—[Interruption.] I do not know whether the flickering lights are an effect of the right hon. Lady’s oration—it would be uncharitable of me to think so—or of my standing up. Who knows?

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I rise briefly to support the amendment tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Nicky Morgan), and I thank her very much for the work she does for the all-party parliamentary group on heritage rail.

Bury is home to the East Lancashire railway. We are not connected to the railway in any other way, but we do have what I think is the best heritage railway in the country—[Interruption.] I may have started a separate debate on that. Suffice it to say that the railway is an enormous attraction to the town. People come from all over to take part in the special activities that are run, particularly at weekends. The railway is well known in the town as a magnet for tourists and rail enthusiasts.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 14th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow) looks as though her cup has runneth over. What a happy day for her and, indeed, for Taunton Deane—not to mention the Minister.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

One advantage for small businesses of the United Kingdom leaving the EU is that the House will be free to repeal unwanted EU regulations. What steps is the Minister taking to consult small businesses so that she can identify those regulations?

Prayers

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 24th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The short answer is that it will be possible. As is probably obvious to the hon. Gentleman and to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), this is the first I had heard of their disquiet and of the timing of the Bill coming forward. I am advised that the rationale for that is that there are few sitting Fridays left, and that the hon. Member for Bridgwater and West Somerset (Mr Liddell-Grainger) is keen to make progress with his Bill. Whatever the rights or wrongs of that, there will be an opportunity for new clauses and amendments to be considered.

Moreover, beyond those that have been tabled, if there is concern that there was not a proper period in conformity with usual practice for the tabling of amendments, and the hon. Members for Christchurch (Mr Chope) and for Shipley feel disadvantaged by that, it is open to the Chair to allow manuscript amendments. I hope that, even if the hon. Gentlemen are not pleased about the sequence of events, they are reassured that such opportunities as they might seek to speak on these matters will be there for them. They will have an opportunity to deploy their vocal cords and their intellects.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Very briefly, as I think I have given a very full explanation.

[Mr Nuttall]

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. On the point of manuscript amendments, if an hon. Member has noticed that there is a small typographical error on the amendments that have been tabled to a Bill to be debated today, is it in order to try to table manuscript amendments to those amendments? Would the Chair be prepared to consider that?

[Mr Speaker]

The Chair would certainly be happy to consider that. I make no commitment as it would depend on the merits of the case, but I am certainly open to that. I hope that the appetite for points of order has been satisfied, at least for now.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr David Nuttall. I thought that he was interested in this question. Has his appetite diminished? [Interruption.] No? Go on. Get in there, man.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I had not planned to stand for topical questions, but may I urge my right hon. Friend not to be swayed by the arguments from the Opposition to spend a specific amount of our GDP on research for scientific projects? If the private sector is unwilling to fund those projects, we should ask serious questions about whether the public sector and my hardworking taxpayers should be asked to foot the bill.

Prayers

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 20th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the House sit in private.

Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 163).

The House proceeded to a Division.

[Mr Speaker]

Would the Serjeant care to investigate the delay in the voting Lobby?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

On the chemical industry, I feel sure— Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Yes, indeed. Does my hon. Friend agree that when we leave the European Union, the fact that this Parliament will be free to redraft the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals regulation, which has long been identified as one of the most burdensome of all EU regulations, will be of enormous benefit to small and medium-sized businesses in the chemical industry, particularly those that only operate within the UK?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 12th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Finally, Mr Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend provide an update on the progress of plans for a new cross-Pennine road link?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Wednesday 14th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I do not think anyone is concerned about the size of Lords, but possibly they are about the size of the House of Lords. It is quite important to be accurate about these matters.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that while reform of the House of Lords might not be a priority at the moment, if their lordships try to frustrate the will of the British people over Brexit, reform of the House of Lords should become a top priority?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 6th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Nuttall]

I warmly welcome my hon. and learned Friend to his new role and thank him for that brief reply. Although court provision might be regarded as adequate now, it is important that it continues to be adequate in the future. I ask the new Lord Chancellor and ministerial team to look again at the proposals for north Manchester and, in particular, at the consequential effects on the police budget, given that the police will be faced with longer journey times when they attend court.

[Mr Speaker]

We might be faced with longer questions as well, but we are immensely indebted to the hon. Gentleman nevertheless.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 11th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Michelle Thomson—not here.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most important policy developments is the fact that, once we have left the EU, decisions by his Department relating to eligibility for benefits will no longer be at risk of being overturned by the European Court of Justice?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 12th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Given that after 40 years the European Union has still not managed to negotiate a trade deal with the United States of America, surely if we left and regained control of settling our own trade deals, we would be able to make trade deals much faster than the EU.

[Mr Speaker]

In relation to employment.

[Mr Nuttall]

And create job opportunities as a result.

Pubs Code Adjudicator

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 10th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am bound to say that I am rather staggered by the fact that the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Alan Brown) seems to have disappeared from the Chamber. The question is ongoing, and the hon. Gentleman is the Front-Bench spokesman for his party. He should not be toddling out of the Chamber in the middle of the exchanges. These courtesies really must be observed. This really will not do. Honestly!

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

The appointment brief for this role, which was issued in July last year, stated that—[Interruption.]

[Hon. Members]

Hooray!

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is very good that the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has beetled back into the Chamber. We are deeply grateful to him, but I want the hon. Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) to have his question heard without interruption and with the reverence that it warrants.

[Mr Nuttall]

It is a brief question. The appointment brief for this role, which was issued in July last year, stated that the appointment would be announced in January. Can the Minister tell me why the announcement was delayed by two months?

death of a member

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 5th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It is with great sadness that I must report to the House the death of Harry Harpham, the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough. Harry entered the House at the last general election, following careers as a miner, a researcher for David Blunkett, now Lord Blunkett, and a representative of the National Union of Mineworkers at Clipstone colliery. Harry was also a councillor on Sheffield City Council for 15 years, holding important cabinet responsibilities in that time, and serving as deputy leader of the council. Harry was a diligent constituency Member of Parliament, who held the Executive to account on behalf of his constituents. Most recently, on Wednesday 20 January, he asked the Prime Minister what support the Government were providing to world-class companies such as Sheffield Forgemasters.

I must tell the House that Harry informed me a few weeks ago of his circumstances. Let it be recorded that he first fought bravely his illness, and then bore it with stoicism and fortitude, continuing to battle on behalf of his constituents to the very end. Harry will be sadly missed by us all, and our thoughts are with Harry’s wife, Gill, and the wider family at this very sad time.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As the House knows, I come from Sheffield, which is where I was born and brought up, so I associate myself—as, I am sure, does the whole House—with your remarks. I offer my condolences to the family of Harry Harpham and to all those who knew him. It is a tragedy that he spent so little time with us in this House, and that we have been robbed of his help and advice. We will all mourn his loss today.

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for what he has appropriately and graciously said.

[Mr Nuttall]

On a further point of order, I beg to move, That the House sit in private.

Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 163), and negatived.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs committee

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 4th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Somewhat tighter answers would be appreciated. They are way too long.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I thank my hon. Friend for his statement and his Committee for the work it has done in preparing the report. Does the Committee plan to review the extent to which the valuable and important recommendations in its report are complied with and carried out?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 2nd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Given that the Sunday trading laws were relaxed in the run-up to the Olympics, and given that the sky has not fallen in in Scotland where there are no restrictions, will the Government please crack on and relax the Sunday trading laws as quickly as possible?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 21st January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

T2. Nuisance phone calls—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I have never known a situation in which Mr Nuttall has not been fully heard, and he will be fully heard.

[Mr Nuttall]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Nuisance phone calls continue to blight the lives of many of my constituents. Will the Minister explain how quickly the latest proposed action on caller line identification will be introduced and enforced?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 18th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Splendid pithiness.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

The Minister is quite right to remind the House that the cornerstone of our national security is our membership of NATO. Does he agree that if the British people vote to leave the European Union, as I hope they do, there is absolutely nothing to stop this country working with our European neighbours and co-operating on defence matters, should they choose to do so?

Flooding

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

In fact, I met the ABI a couple of weeks ago and saw the document. It is indeed a good document, which I encourage Members of Parliament across the House to use in helping their constituents.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman is doubling up as a helpful public information system, on top of all the other useful contributions—

[Mr Nuttall]

Always keen to help.

[Mr Speaker]

Indeed, the hon. Gentleman is always willing to help. We are grateful to him.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 30th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Further to that point, does my hon. Friend agree that if schools use propaganda provided by the European Union, teachers must make certain that both sides of the argument on our membership of the European Union are fairly and properly put to pupils?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The question is about learning outcomes.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 26th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

That is extremely helpful, but I have concluded over a period that prolixity and lawyers are inseparable.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Can my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that, if we repealed the Human Rights Act—and even if we withdrew from the European convention on human rights—there is no provision whatever in the statute of the Council of Europe that would automatically force the United Kingdom to leave the Council of Europe?

International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 5th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

[Mr Speaker]

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

New clause 2—Reduction of Cabinet members’ salaries if 0.7% target not met—

“If an annual report laid before Parliament in 2016 or any subsequent calendar year shows that the 0.7% target has not been met in the report year, salaries provided for under Section 1 and Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975 shall each be reduced by £1000 in the following financial year.”

New clause 3—Annual reporting: relevant period—

“(1) The International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006 shall be amended by leaving out section 1(2) and inserting—

“(2) In this Act, “relevant period” means a period of 12 months ending with 31 March in the case of information which is normally produced by reference to financial years.”’

New clause 4—Independent International Development Office—

“(1) There shall be established an independent body known as the Independent International Development Office (referred to in this Act as “the IIDO”).

(2) The Schedule [The Independent International Development Office] makes provision about the IIDO.”

New clause 5—Calculation of ODA for the purposes of section 1—

“An amount equivalent to the following annual payments, or estimates thereof, shall be included in the calculation of annual UK ODA for the purposes of section 1—

(a) the amount payable by the United Kingdom to the European Union.

(b) Welfare benefits paid to foreign nationals.

(c) Welfare benefits paid to UK nationals living abroad.

(d) The administrative costs of the Department for International Development and its agencies and associated public bodies.”

New clause 6—Calculation of Gross National Income for the purposes of section 1—

“Adjustments to the figure provided to Parliament as the UK’s gross national income as at the end of the financial year shall not change or invalidate the UK’s performance against the target under section 1.”

New clause 7—Applicability and expiry of the provisions of this Act—

“(1) This Act shall come into force on such a day appointed by the Secretary of State by an order contained in a statutory instrument.

(2) An order under subsection (1) shall not be made unless a referendum has taken place in the United Kingdom and more than 50% of those casting a vote do so in favour of meeting the target.

(3) This Act shall only have effect in those years where the United Kingdom records a budget surplus.

(4) The Secretary of State may vary the target mentioned in section 1 by an order contained in a statutory instrument in response to the UK leaving or joining a multilateral organisation which itself disburses ODA.

(5) This Act shall expire on the anniversary of its coming into force in the fifth year of its being so in force.”

Amendment 16, in clause 1, page 1, line 4, leave out “gross national income” and insert

“final gross national income of the preceding year.”

Amendment 20, page 1, line , leave out “met” and insert “progressed toward”.

Amendment 18, page 1, line 5, leave out “calendar” and insert “financial”.

Amendment 5, page 1, line 5, at end insert

“when the central government net cash requirement is in surplus.”

Amendment 21, page 1, line 6, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 6, page 1, line 7, leave out from “by” to end of line 9 and insert

“the Office for Budget Responsibility.”

Amendment 19, page 1, line 13, at end insert

““financial year”, for the purposes of this Act, includes a period which begins with the day on which this Act comes into force and ends on the following 31 March.”

Amendment 22, in clause 2, page 1, line 16, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 7, page 1, line 17, leave out

“as soon as reasonably practicable”

and insert

“, no more than 10 days during which both Houses of Parliament are sitting,”.

Amendment 8, page 1, line 18, leave out from “statement” to end of line 19.

Amendment 23, page 2, line 2, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 24, page 2, line 5, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 9, page 2, line 7, leave out from “State,” to end of line 8 and insert

“need take no action on the basis of such a revision.”

Amendment 10, page 2, line 8, leave out from “statement” to end of line 9.

Amendment 11, page 2, line 10, leave out subsections (3) and (4).

Amendment 25, page 2, line 10, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 26, page 2, line 19, leave out “the 0.7% and insert “a 0.35%”.

Amendment 1,  page 2, line 25, leave out clause 3.

Amendment 15, page 2, line 36, leave out clause 5.

Amendment 2, in clause 5, page 2, line 39, at end insert

“and is relevant, sustainable and capable of having a measurable impact.”

Amendment 37, in clause 6, page 3, line 4, leave out subsection (2).

Amendment 3, page 3, line 4, leave out “1 June 2015” and insert “1 January 2016”

New schedule 1—The Independent Commission For Aid Impact—

“Accountability and Reporting

1 (1) It will be the responsibility of the Secretary of State for International Developent to lay responses to reports of the ICAI before Parliament.

(2) The ICAI shall carry out all other duties as established.

Finance

2 (1) The budget of the ICAI for the purpose of section ( ) will be agreed by the Secretary of State for International Development.

(2) The Department for International Development may make to the ICAI such payments out of money provided by Parliament as the Department for International Development considers appropriate for the purposes of enabling the ICAI to meet its expenses arising under this Act.

(3) Payment are to be made at such times, and subject to any such conditions, as the Department for International Development considers appropriate.”

New schedule 2—The independent International Development Office—

“Membership—

1 The IIDO is to consist of a member to chair it and six other members, appointed by the Secretary of State for International Development following apre-appointment hearing by, and with the consent of, the International Development Committee of the House of Commons.

Employees

2 (1) The IIDO may employ staff.

(2) Staff are to be employed on such terms as to remuneration and other matters as the IIDO may, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, determine.

(3) Service as a member of staff of the IIDO is employment in the civil service of the State.

(4) The IIDO must pay to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as the Minister may direct, such sums as the Minister may determine in respect of the increase in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament that is attributable to the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities under section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972 payable to or in respect of persons who are or have been members of staff of the IIDO.

Duties

3 (1) The IIDO will have the responsibility to carry out independent evaluation of the relevance, impact, value-for-money and sustainability of ODA.

(2) The IIDO will develop systems to verify the extent to which ODA is spent efficiently and effectively.

Annual report

4 (1) The IIDO must prepare a report of the performance of its functions in each financial year.

(2) The report relating to a financial year must be prepared as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.

(3) The report must be sent to the Department for International Development.

(4) The Department for International Development must lay the report before Parliament.

(5) “Financial year” means—

(a) the period which begins with the day on which this Schedule comes into force and ends with the following 31 March;

(b) each successive period of 12 months.

Accountability and Reporting

5 (1) It will be the responsibility of the Secretary of State for International Development to lay responses to reports of the IIDO before Parliament.

(2) The International Development Committee of the House of Commons may provide parliamentary oversight of the work of the IIDO and report annually on its current and future work programme.

Finance

6 (1) The budget of the IIDO will be agreed by the Secretary of State for International Development.

(2) The Department for International Development may make to the IIDO such payments out of money provided by Parliament as the Department for International Development considers appropriate for the purpose of enabling the IIDO to meet its expenses.

(3) Payments are to be made at such times, and subject to any such conditions, as the Department for International Development considers appropriate.

Accounts and audit

7 (1) The IIDO must—

(a) keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to its accounts, and

(b) pre pare in respect of each financial year a statement of accounts.

(2) Each statement of accounts must comply with any directions given by the International Development Committee as to—

(a) the information to be contained in it and the manner in which it is to be presented,

(b) t he methods and principles according to which the statement is to be prepared, and

(c) the additional information (if any) which is to be provided to Parliament.

(3) The IIDO must send a copy of each statement of accounts to—

(a) the Secretary of State for International Development, and

(b) the Comptroller and Auditor General, before the end of the month of June next following the financial year to which the statement relates.

(4) The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a) examine, certify and report on each statement of accounts, and

(b) send a copy of each report and certified statement to the Secretary of State for International Development.

(5) The Secretary of State for International Development must lay before Parliament a copy of each such report and certified statement.

(6) “Financial year” has the same meaning as in paragraph 4(5).

(7) The IIDO must keep under review whether its internal financial controls secure the proper conduct of its financial affairs.

References to International Development Committee

8 (1) Any reference in this Schedule to the International Development Committee of the House of Commons—

(a) (a) if the name of that Committee is changed, is to be treated as a reference to that Committee by its new name, and

(b) if the functions of that Committee (or substantially corresponding functions) become functions of a different Committee of the House of Commons, is to be treated as a reference to the Committee by which those functions are exercisable.

(2) Any question arising under sub-paragraph (1) is to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Commons.”

Amendment (a), to new schedule 2, line 3, leave out “six” and insert “four”.

Amendment (b), line 4, leave out “for International Development”.

Amendment (c), line 5, leave out from “of,” to end of line 6 and insert

“a committee in the House of Commons and an equivalent committee in the House of Lords”.

Amendment (d), line 6 after “Commons” insert

“and equivalent committee in the House of Lords”.

Amendment (e), line 12 leave out sub-paragraph (3).

Amendment (f), line 19 at end insert—

“2A All costs associated with the IIDO shall count towards the target set out in section 1 of this Act.”

Amendment (g), line 38 leave out “for International Development”.

Amendment (h), line 72 leave out “for International Development”.

Amendment (i), line 78 leave out paragraph 8.

[Mr Nuttall]

As the House will have seen on the amendment paper this morning, there are seven new clauses, two new schedules and several amendments. I propose to divide the amendments into several sub-groups, although others may choose to deal with them in a different way. For the sake of clarity, it might be helpful if I draw together a number of different threads. I will start with new clause 1 and new schedule 1.

Carers Bedroom Entitlement (Social Housing Sector)

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 14th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I rise to oppose the motion. Let me say at the outset that the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley), in moving the motion, has demonstrated once again her long-standing concern for carers, and I am sure that that concern is shared by Members on both sides of the House. There is no doubt that in every constituency there are thousands of people who sacrifice their own interests to look after the welfare of others who need special care. Very often, but by no means always, it is for a member of their own family, and, of course, it is true that were it not for the support that carers provide, the burden of providing that care and support would very often fall on the state.

The issue under discussion, however, is not whether carers provide valuable support, but whether it is right that taxpayers should be asked to pay for the provision of rooms in social housing which for the vast majority of the time stand empty and unused. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order.

[Mr Nuttall]

We must never forget why the Government changed the rules for housing benefit to remove the public subsidy for spare rooms. There were two principal reasons. First, the change was necessary because the previous Labour Government were borrowing £1 for every £4 they spent. It was vital that public expenditure was brought under control and that the country started to live within its means. With the present coalition Government committed to increasing spending on our national health service, it was necessary to look for savings in other areas and that included reducing expenditure on welfare. Those changes to housing benefit essentially brought the rules that apply to people renting in the public sector into line with the rules for people renting in the private sector, which were introduced by the previous Labour Government.

The need to control public expenditure and ensure that the country lives within its means is not the only reason it is right for the state to stop subsidising spare rooms. With about 300,000 people living in overcrowded accommodation, it clearly makes sense to encourage the most efficient use of our public housing stock. Some 820,000 spare rooms were being provided by housing benefit before the reform was introduced.

The changes to housing benefit already take into account the specific needs of carers. Housing benefit is based on the occupation needs of the household, and the resident carer is allocated, and entitled to, their own bedroom. The regulations do not allow a claimant an extra bedroom for a non-resident overnight carer, but local authorities already have the discretion to determine whether an extra bedroom should be provided even when a qualifying benefit is not being paid to a claimant, if there is sufficient evidence that they require care during the night from a non-resident carer.

As was made clear on Second Reading of the Affordable Homes Bill, promoted by the hon. Member for St Ives (Andrew George) on 5 September, it is extremely difficult to define in advance all the possible reasons why there may be good exceptions to the housing benefit changes. It is for that reason that discretionary housing payments exist. These payments allow local authorities to consider each case on its merits and ensure that where vulnerable claimants need special support, such support is available. Last year, more than 392,000 awards were made by local authorities. Over the past two years, £345 million has been made available for these payments. Although some may have thought that insufficient, the fact is that only a quarter of local authorities applied to access the £20 million reserve fund retained by central Government in the last financial year.

Given the very narrow scope of the Bill that the motion seeks leave to introduce, it seems to me that a more effective way for the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South to bring about the legislative change she wants would be to persuade the House to amend the Affordable Homes Bill. Bearing in mind that Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition have pledged to reverse the housing benefit changes if they win the general election next May, many inside and outside the House will be as surprised as I am at her apparent lack of faith in her party’s chances of winning the election and consequently being able to restore the subsidy for spare rooms as they have pledged to do. Given that, even if the motion is agreed to, the resulting Bill will join a long list of private Members’ Bills—they already number more than 70—and that even with a fair wind it is unlikely to receive Royal Assent until just before the end of this Parliament, the Bill’s effect would at best be minimal if an incoming Labour Government reversed all the housing benefit changes.

The motion is a good reminder to the public that the election of another Labour Government would signal a return to the something-for-nothing culture that this Government have put an end to. I do not propose to divide the House, but I have placed on the record some of the points that will no doubt be expanded on if and when the Bill receives a Second Reading.

Question put (Standing Order No. 23).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 11th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. When university tuition fees were increased, some feared that it would result in a fall in the numbers applying to enter higher education, particularly those from poorer backgrounds. Will the Minister tell the House whether those fears have proved justified?

Special Measures Regime

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Wednesday 16th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am very keen to accommodate the interest of colleagues who are still waiting to question the Secretary of State. I should just remind the House that we have quite a substantial load of business today, and I know that the main debate is very heavily subscribed, so if I am to accommodate all remaining colleagues, there is a premium upon brevity—a seminar in which I think can most appropriately be conducted by a member of the Procedure Committee. I call Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

The families of elderly people in care are often those best placed to spot the early warning signs of poor care. To what extent will reports from families be used to determine and prioritise where inspections take place?

Prayers

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 8th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the House sit in private.

Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 163).

The House proceeded to a Division.

[Mr Speaker]

I ask the Serjeant at Arms to investigate the delay in the No Lobby.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 6th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Mr Nuttall, are you still seeking to trouble the scorers?

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I want to pursue further the EU’s imposition of tariffs. Perhaps the Minister could explain how on earth this will do anything to make it easier for people, if they wish, to install solar panels, and how on earth it will do anything to make it cheaper for those struggling to pay their energy bills.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 16th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not wish to be unkind to the hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell), but I want speedily to move on from fruit to bees. I call Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

13. What recent assessment he has made of the health of the UK’s bee population.

Business of the House

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 7th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. As per usual, dozens of Members are seeking to catch my eye. I simply remind the House that there is a further statement to follow—from the Secretary of State for Education—and then two debates under the auspices of the Backbench Business Committee. There is real pressure on time, and I appeal to colleagues, whom I am keen to accommodate, to ask short questions, and, of course, to the Leader of the House to provide us with pithy replies.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

May we please have a debate on the future of pedlary in the United Kingdom? During last night’s debate on opposed private business, the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson), announced that the period for consultation on the proposed reform of the laws on pedlary and street trading was to be extended by a month. A debate would enable Members in all parts of the House to contribute to that consultation. Pedlars are the ultimate in micro-businesses, and we need to ensure that there is no danger of their being regulated out of existence.

Antarctic Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 18th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

[Mr Speaker]

With this it will be convenient to consider the following:

Amendment 2, page 4, line 19, leave out clause 5.

Amendment 1, in clause 15, page 12, line 19 , at end insert—

‘( ) This section shall apply to designated Historic Sites and Monuments anywhere in Antarctica.’.

[Mr Nuttall]

I am conscious this morning that families throughout the nation might be tuning into our proceedings expecting to hear us talk about the tragic developments in Algeria, but as Members will know, and as you will know, Mr Speaker, under the Standing Orders of the House, a statement is to be made at 11 o’clock. It is appropriate, then, that we deal now with the private Members’ Bills, the first of which is the Antarctic Bill, and my new clause.

I am grateful that new clause 1 has been selected for debate this morning, because it gives the House the opportunity to consider in more depth the likely consequences of the Bill. This straightforward new clause simply calls on the Secretary of State to lay a report before the House, within three years of the Bill’s coming into force, a cost-benefit analysis of the measures in it. Of course, it is in no way a wrecking amendment and will in no way undermine the basic purpose of this excellent Bill. The only purpose of the new clause is to try to improve the Bill and give the House the opportunity to revisit it in three years to check whether what was intended is actually happening. Assuming that the Bill becomes law later this year, I would anticipate that such a review would take place at the beginning of 2016.

We hear a lot in the House about pre-legislative scrutiny, but sometimes an equally important case can be made for post-legislative scrutiny. Some of the Bills we pass never see the light of day. I was amazed when I was elected to this place to find out that some Acts had lain on the statute book for years without ever being brought into force. I hope that that will not be the case with this Bill.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Nuttall]

No, I was not aware of that, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing it to the attention of the House. It is, perhaps, appropriate that we are discussing these matters today. It is almost impossible to imagine the conditions Scott and his companions had to endure, but the hut still standing today gives us some idea, and it seems amazing that they were able to carry out these expeditions.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. For the avoidance of doubt—we would not want to mislead anyone outside the House—may I say to the hon. Gentleman that the fact that this debate coincides with that anniversary is a matter of serendipity, not parliamentary organisation?

[Mr Nuttall]

It is, indeed, fortuitous.

European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 27th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Nuttall]

I beg to move amendment 4, page 4, line 15, leave out subsection (2) and insert—

‘(2) This Act comes into force in accordance with the following provisions—

(a) Section 1 comes into force on the day after the following conditions are fulfilled—

(i) in each House of Parliament a Minister of the Crown moves a motion that the House approves the coming into force of section 1, and

(ii) each House agrees to the motion without amendment,

(b) the other provisions of this Act come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.’.

[The Temporary Chair (Mr David Crausby)]

With this it will be convenient to discuss the Question that clause 6 stand part of the Bill.

[Mr Nuttall]

This will be the last amendment to be discussed in Committee. It would enable the House to revisit the question of whether Croatia was ready to join the EU before this Bill ratifying the accession treaty came into effect. The Minister made it clear on Second Reading that the accession process that Croatia had followed had involved more rigorous demands than those placed on Romania or Bulgaria, or any of the earlier accession states. However, I think it is accepted on all sides that, unless things have changed dramatically since the Second Reading debate, Croatia has not yet fulfilled all that is expected of it. Much progress has clearly been made, and that is to be welcomed, but more undoubtedly remains to be done.

The European Commission is continuing its monitoring process, and the Minister mentioned that a further report was expected next spring. He provided the more accurate date of next March for its delivery, and we expect it to be the final report. On Croatia’s progress in dealing with domestic war crimes, the Minister said on Second Reading that the Government’s assessment was “almost complete”, but that more work was still required. The amendment would allow the House the opportunity to assess whether Croatia had made further progress and whether the process had been completed.

On the Croatian civil justice system, the Minister said on Second Reading that despite a significant number of additional judges being appointed to focus on the backlog of outstanding civil cases, the number of such cases had increased. About 844,000 new cases had been brought before the civil courts during the first half of 2012, and only 836,00 cases had been resolved during that period. In fact, not only was the backlog not being reduced, it was getting worse.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 9th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

It looks like there is scope for an Adjournment debate on the matter.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

14. What steps he is taking to speed up the roll-out of broadband in Greater Manchester.

National Referendum on the European Union

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 24th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Nuttall]

I believe that now is the time to start—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I appeal to the House to settle down? A large number of noisy private conservations are taking place, which add nothing to, but subtract much from, the debate. Let us hear Mr David Nuttall.

[Mr Nuttall]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I believe that it is now time to start the process of consulting the British people once more. I say “start” because that is all that this motion seeks to do.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to hear the hon. Gentleman’s response.

[Mr Nuttall]

We always have to be careful about whether we are listening to the vocal minority or the silent majority. I believe that on this issue we should listen to the majority of the British people, who clearly want a referendum.

Some 40 million people of voting age alive today in this country have not voted in favour of Britain’s membership of the European Union, and this motion would start to put that right. Those who oppose it may well be smiling today, but winning votes in the House using strong-arm tactics does nothing to help to rebuild trust in politicians or to persuade the public that the majority inside the House are reflecting their views. Those who oppose the motion may well win this battle, but they most certainly will not win the war. We should remember the saying that he who laughs last laughs longest. I commend the motion to the House.

Weightman Report (Fukushima)

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Many Members are seeking to catch my eye, but I am afraid that I will be able to call all of them only if we have substantially briefer questions and answers.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

While my constituents in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington will have every sympathy for all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, they will equally want to be reassured that when they flick the light switch the lights actually come on. Can the Secretary of State therefore reassure them that nothing in this report will make that any less likely than it was before the Fukushima incident?

Business of the House

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 15th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Just in case I was unclear earlier, I ought to say that at no stage has there been anything wrong, irregular or in any way objectionable about the length of the Leader of the House’s replies. I was referring purely to the questions.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

May we have a debate on the “Review into the Needs of Families Bereaved by Homicide” report issued by the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, so that this House can consider how its recommendations should be dealt with?

Drugs (Roadside Testing) Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 10th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jacob Rees-Mogg]

This is a very interesting discussion of the effects on people’s behaviour. One of the most dangerous ages for driving is 18 to 25 for young men. If they are having accidents because they are going too fast, and cannabis slows them down, are you saying that they ought to be using cannabis when they drive?

[Mr Speaker]

I am not saying anything, but I think that the hon. Gentleman might be.

[Mr Nuttall]

My hon. Friend makes an interesting point. As my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) said, people may think that by taking certain substances they are doing themselves great benefit and putting themselves in a state where it will be easier for them to drive. If they are feeling all pumped up and hyped up after being in a nightclub, they think that taking cannabis might slow them down and get them back on the right track. I would submit that it is very dangerous for anyone to go down that road.

That is cannabis. Secondly, there is cocaine.

Business of the House

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 3rd February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. A great many hon. and right hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye, but there is a ministerial statement to follow and then two heavily subscribed debates under the auspices of the Backbench Business Committee, time for which it is my responsibility to protect. There is therefore a premium today on single, short supplementary questions and the Leader of the House’s characteristically pithy replies. Even allowing for that, I am afraid that many Members will be disappointed today.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

May we please have a statement on the future of the maternity department at Fairfield hospital in Bury, following yesterday’s decision by NHS officials to confirm the closure decision that was made by the last Government?

Sustainable Livestock Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 12th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Nuttall]

As my hon. Friend knows, I entirely support the idea that the House should be sovereign, and if there is any doubt about which set of rules should reign supreme, it should be Acts of Parliament passed in this House, not those passed by the European Union. I do not want to spend too long proceeding down the line of European Union rules and regulations. I appreciate that that would stray—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he has just said. It is very wise that he has made that observation and that he intends to operate in accordance with his own stricture. The point about regulation has been made and the point about European competence has been made. The hon. Gentleman, though a new Member, will be very well familiar with Standing Order No. 42 on the subject of tedious repetition and irrelevance, and I know that he will not wish to fall foul of that. In passing, although I know he is a man with an exceptional memory, I should perhaps just remind him and the House and others interested in our proceedings that on another private Member’s Bill on 22 October this year, he developed his argument for one hour and 39 minutes in respect of a two-clause Bill. This Bill has five clauses, it is true, but he behaved in a slightly unsatisfactory way on that occasion, and I feel sure that he will not want to repeat the experience.

[Mr Nuttall]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I mentioned the European Union, but it was brought up by others and I simply responded to them.

I am concerned about the Bill because it appears to me that in the long term it is likely to result in the decline of meat-eating in this country and it will also affect the dairy products that we consume. I will explain why that is likely to be the inevitable result of the Bill.

The Bill’s whole premise is to impose on the Secretary of State a requirement

“to improve the sustainability of the production, processing, marketing, manufacturing, distribution and consumption of products derived to any substantial extent from livestock”.

The requirement could hardly have been drafted in wider terms, although, to be fair, I am sure that that is exactly what the Bill’s promoter desired.

[Mr Nuttall]

It does indeed, and I will make mention of them later. I am not sure whether the Bill’s promoter considered those points when drafting the Bill. If so, it raises the question of whether they were taken into account.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. For the avoidance of doubt, I trust that the hon. Gentleman has no intention of offering the Chamber a disquisition on the contents of the coalition agreement. That would be a lengthy enterprise indeed, and I know that he does not wish to stray into that.

[Mr Nuttall]

No, absolutely not. It is a very tiny matter really.

I want to deal specifically with clause 1. Subsection (1) states:

“It is the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure the sustainability of the livestock industry.”

What I am not clear about is why it should be the duty—I emphasise the word “duty”— of the Secretary of State to ensure the sustainability of the livestock industry. Surely the best people to ensure that farming is maintained are farmers. Surely it makes sense to rely on farmers’ desire for self-preservation to ensure that they tend their livestock and look after their land in a sustainable way. All the evidence points to the fact that we can rely on them, both to protect the welfare of their animals and to care for their own land properly. How can that responsibility be transferred to the Secretary of State? Do we really expect the Secretary of State to spend every weekend driving up and down the country doing spot checks to see whether farmers are doing their bit to maintain the sustainability of their farms?

If any industry—if we are calling farming an industry, which I consider to be an unusual term, but for the purposes of the Bill it is an industry—in the United Kingdom can make a claim for having proved over the centuries that it is capable of sustainability, it is surely the livestock industry. Man has been tending animals since the beginning of time. Agriculture is the oldest of all industries continued in this country. What more can the poor farmer possibly be expected to do to make his “livestock industry” any more sustainable than it has been already?

Fortunately, the Bill’s draftsman has also spotted this potential problem, and in clause 3, headed “Interpretation”, we are helpfully given a most enlightening explanation of what is meant by the phrase

“ensure the sustainability of the livestock industry”.

We find that it goes much further than anything that we may ordinarily think. For the purposes of the Bill, we are told that the words mean

“addressing the economic, social and environmental impacts of all stages of livestock farming and consumption, in order to…reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and address climate change in the United Kingdom and overseas…prevent biodiversity loss in the United Kingdom and overseas…promote animal welfare…protect and enhance the landscape…protect the resilience of farming communities, and…promote food security.”

Not much to do there, then.

We see immediately that the idea of livestock sustainability has in one fell swoop been extended to include animal welfare, the well-being of farming communities as a whole, which I take to mean the whole of rural Britain, and the promotion of food security—matters that I feel sure any casual inquirer into livestock sustainability would not expect to see because they go well beyond any concept of sustainability, even if it is considered in its widest sense. This starts to demonstrate the enormous difficulties that face anyone who attempts to define the term “sustainable” in so far as it relates to farming. The Bill seeks to define sustainability not just in environmental terms, but in social and economic terms too. It is such a broad definition that it makes the Bill completely unworkable in any meaningful way.

I am concerned that the definition in clause 3(d) includes a requirement not just to protect the landscape, but to enhance it too. It is not clear to me why that requirement should be included in the Bill.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jacob Rees-Mogg]

My hon. Friend is enormously generous in giving way. Is it not true to say that the glories of England are created by God and the farmer, and not the bureaucrat?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) should respond to that very graceful intervention within the terms of the debate on the Bill, and I feel sure that that is what he will do.

[Mr Nuttall]

Over the centuries, farming has been sustained in this country by the farmer and the countryside has been looked after by the farmer, and I will come on to those matters later in my remarks.

Business of the House

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 11th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Leader of the House’s brevity now needs to be matched by that of Back Benchers.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Will the Leader of the House consider instituting an annual debate on the military covenant, which, may I suggest, could be held as near as possible to Remembrance day each year?

Points of Order

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Thursday 4th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

A number of Departments have target response times. The hon. Gentleman says that he is raising a point of order with me, but it is not a matter specifically and directly for the Chair. He has, however, raised his concerns in front of the Leader of the House, who will have heard them. I feel sure that the right hon. Gentleman will attach importance to ensuring that those concerns are heeded.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It seems to me that, certainly for new Members, there is uncertainty about when it is appropriate for points of order to be made—and, indeed, about what actually constitutes a point of order.

[Mr Speaker]

There is no uncertainty in my mind. [Interruption.] Order. I am genuinely sorry for the hon. Gentleman if he is suffering from uncertainty. I am not suffering from any uncertainty on this matter, although I pay tribute to him for his efforts.

Points of Order

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Monday 25th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Ministers will have heard the request that the hon. Lady has made. I have noted it myself, and it does not seem unreasonable. I cannot continue now the debate and exchanges that have already taken place, but I am grateful to her and to all hon. Members.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Mr Nuttall addressed the House for over an hour on Friday, but he feels a great thirst to raise a point of order, and of course I shall hear it.

[Mr Nuttall]

Further to the point of order on parliamentary questions, Mr Speaker. If I may assist, I understand that an e-mail has already been circulated from the Procedure Committee asking for any problems to be submitted to it.

[Mr Speaker]

That is most helpful; we are all exceedingly grateful to the hon. Gentleman.

Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill

Debate between David Nuttall and John Bercow

Friday 22nd October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

May I thank you, Mr Speaker, for calling me to speak in this Second Reading debate? It is a great honour and privilege to have the opportunity to speak on this first Friday sitting of this new Parliament. Indeed, not only is this the first Friday, but I am the very first speaker to be called other than the promoter of this, the very first private Member’s Bill, of the many the House will no doubt consider, not only in this Session, but throughout this Parliament.

I should start by declaring an interest, in that I am the president of CAW—Conservatives at Work, which is the new name for Conservative Trade Unionists—for the north-west region. To be fair, it is some years since the name was changed, from the CTU, as it was back in the 1980s, to Conservatives at Work. The name was changed to reflect the fact that the organisation accepted not only members of a trade union. Indeed, there were many other members who had never been members of a trade union, but who were nevertheless interested in industrial matters and industrial relations generally. I have never been a member of a trade union myself, although—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is a lot of chattering taking place. Whether Members are yet captivated by the hon. Gentleman’s speech I do not know, but they should certainly give themselves the chance. We need a more orderly atmosphere; this is rather unconventional. I call Mr David Nuttall, who I feel sure will shortly address the Bill.

[Mr Nuttall]

I will indeed, Sir, but I feel it important that I should declare my interest.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Nuttall]

My hon. Friend is quite right. I will have something to say on that later, although I should point out now that section 232B, entitled “Small accidental failures to be disregarded”, which the Bill seeks to amend, was actually introduced by the Labour Government, through the Employment Relations Act 1999. We can therefore safely assume that this measure, which was not originally in the 1992 Act, was one that the Labour Government wanted included in that Act.

Subsections (2A), (2B) and (2C) of section 230 of the 1992 Act contain special provisions relating to the requirements that are applicable to merchant seamen—who have special requirements owing to the nature of their work—who are also members of a trade union.

I genuinely congratulate the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington on his perseverance with this measure. On Thursday 23 November 2006, almost four years ago, he came 16th out of the 20 successful Members in the ballot in that Session. He then decided to introduce the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill, which was part of a campaign being pursued by the unions following the Trades Union Congress of 2005, which had passed a motion calling for a trade union freedom Bill in the wake of the dispute between Gate Gourmet and its catering staff at Heathrow airport. Members will note a common thread involving Heathrow airport and airport matters. One of the principal provisions of the trade unions’ motion was the simplification of the complex regulations on notices and ballots, which restrict the ability of unions to organise industrial action when a clear majority of members have voted in support. I do not agree that the regulations are necessarily complex.

The hon. Gentleman introduced his Bill on 13 December 2006, and it was scheduled for Second Reading on 2 March 2007 but, unfortunately for him, there was insufficient time for it to be considered. It was not given a Second Reading and it subsequently fell. I should add that the introduction of that Bill was followed by early-day motion 532, which stated:

“That this House recognises that free and independent trade unions are a force for good in UK society around the world and are vital to democracy; welcomes the positive role modern unions play in providing protection for working people and winning fairness at work; notes the 1906 Trades Disputes Act granted unions the legal freedom to take industrial action; regrets that successive anti-union legislation has meant that trade union rights are now weaker than those introduced by the 1906 Trades Disputes Act”—

I do not know whether that was a critical attack on Labour’s own 1999 and 2004 legislation. The motion went on to say that it

“therefore welcomes and supports the TUC campaign for a Trade Union Freedom Bill whose principles include better protection for workers, such as those sacked by Gate Gourmet in 2005, the simplification of ballot procedures and to allow limited supportive action, following a ballot, in specific circumstances; and therefore urges the Government to bring forward legislation to address these proposals.”

The motion was moderately successful, unlike some that attract only—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman has now been on his feet for 15 minutes. I understand that he wanted, very properly, to declare his interests, and a modest preamble in situations of this kind is understandable, but I must gently say to the hon. Gentleman, who is a new Member, that this is not an occasion for a general discourse on the merits or demerits of trade unions or for the discussion of the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill, which is not before the House this morning. It is the occasion for a focus on the specific content of the Bill before the House, which contains two clauses. I feel sure that the hon. Gentleman will now deal with those matters and remain focused on them for the remainder of his speech.

[Mr Nuttall]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.