Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Diana Johnson and Michael Gove

Thursday 28th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State agree to meet Humber MPs to discuss making funding for a national flood resilience centre in the Humber area a priority in the comprehensive spending review?

[Michael Gove]

The Minister with responsibility for the environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey), has already done so, and of course I would be happy to do so at any time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Diana Johnson and Michael Gove

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

10. When he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the length of prison sentences for animal cruelty.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

The Government will increase the custodial maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months’ to five years’ imprisonment. The legislation needed to implement the increase will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

[Diana Johnson]

Ten months ago, the Secretary of State told me that he would examine proposals to expedite legislation to introduce an increase in the sentence for animal cruelty. Given cross-party support, the support of the general public and the brilliant campaigning of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, can the Secretary of State now give us a timetable for when that will actually happen?

[Michael Gove]

I know that the Leader of the House, who will be here shortly, will have heard that eloquent plea from the hon. Lady, and I add my voice to hers.

Transport Emissions: Urban Areas

Debate between Diana Johnson and Michael Gove

Tuesday 22nd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. We are investing £1.5 billion, but it is also important for us to reflect on where people are likely to find themselves at particular times of the year—now and in years to come. One of the things that many of us will be doing this coming bank holiday weekend will be visiting beautiful English seaside resorts such as Torbay. It is important that, as they move towards cleaner and greener forms of transport, people have the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the southern riviera without polluting the air at the same time.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

On the subject of natural beauty, Hull was one of 49 UK towns and cities that failed World Health Organisation standards for air pollution.

I want to return to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts). What discussions has the Secretary of State actually had with the Transport Secretary about the scrapping of rail electrification schemes and his championing of bimodal trains which, as I understand it, will still pollute the air?

[Michael Gove]

We have had extensive discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport, who has been leading efforts to ensure not only that we can scrap diesel trains altogether at an appropriate point, but that we can ensure that there are appropriate alternatives to those that exist at the moment.

Leaving the EU: Fisheries Management

Debate between Diana Johnson and Michael Gove

Tuesday 20th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I can give an absolute guarantee that under no circumstances will I ever adopt the craven and abject surrender that the Scottish Government would offer the EU by accepting that the CFP should persist ad infinitum.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

The future of the fishing industry is a politically sensitive issue in Hull—UKIP has talked about a fishing fleet being re-established there—but was not one of the main promises made to the people of Hull that we would retain our territorial rights around fishing from day one, and has that promise not been broken?

[Michael Gove]

No, we will. When the implementation period ends, the exclusive economic zone that is ours to police and control will be ours to police and control.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Diana Johnson and Michael Gove

Thursday 25th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

T3. There is strong cross-party and public support for increasing the penalties for animal cruelty to five- year prison sentences. Could that be done forthwith rather than waiting for the draft animal welfare Bill, which is still subject to consultation?

[Michael Gove]

I am very grateful for the hon. Lady’s support—of course, she has a distinguished record as a Home Office Minister. We will look at any proposals that come from any part of the House to try to make sure that we can expedite this legislation.