State Pension Age for Women

Debate between Edward Leigh and Norman Lamb

Wednesday 5th July 2017 Westminster Hall

[Norman Lamb]

I thank the hon. Lady for giving way—

[Sir Edward Leigh (in the Chair)]

Order. The right hon. Gentleman has to approach the microphone. Strictly, under the rules of the House, he should be sitting before he stands. I know it is difficult, but he has to be near a microphone.

[Norman Lamb]

I was sitting.

[Sir Edward Leigh (in the Chair)]

I apologise, but he must speak into a microphone.

[Norman Lamb]

I am very grateful. Is it not part of the problem that all those women who have given up much of their adult lives to caring responsibilities then face real discrimination when seeking work at this age? They are therefore left in unacceptable poverty.

Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill [Lords]

Debate between Edward Leigh and Norman Lamb

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

The right hon. Gentleman is making his arguments very well and I do not want to take him to task over them, but I want to ask him a question. Presumably the Bill will again end up in the House of Lords, as the European Union Referendum Bill has done. Does he think it is the place of unelected people in the House of Lords to make a decision on this question, or should it be reserved to the House of Commons?

[Norman Lamb]

I continue to argue strongly that we should have a democratically elected second Chamber, and we sought to achieve that during the coalition Government. Sadly, Conservative Members managed to block that long-overdue reform. [Interruption.] I think the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen) is agreeing with me from a sedentary position. But we are where we are, and because Conservative Members ensured during the last Parliament that we still have to put up with an unelected second Chamber, it will just have to do the job as best it can. It is a revising Chamber and I hope that it will again make the argument that 16 and 17-year-olds should have the right to vote. I hope that I have responded adequately to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh).

David Willetts made the case strongly that there had been a break in the generational contract. I believe that it is incumbent on all of us to address that serious issue and to ensure that all political parties start to show a real interest in the interests of young people. If 16 and 17-year-olds had a vote at local and national levels, there is no doubt that the parties would focus more attention on their interests.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Edward Leigh and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 10th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

My hon. and learned Friend has raised an extremely important point. It is essential that the maximum possible use be made of investment. I know that the Secretary of State will look into this issue when he has received the letter, but we must ensure that all such facilities are properly used.

[Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

14. What steps he plans to take to improve the provision of health services in the east midlands.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

Decisions about local services should be made as close to patients as possible, by those who are best placed to work with patients and the public to understand their needs. Clinical commissioning groups commission the majority of health services, working with health and care professionals to design services for local populations.

[Sir Edward Leigh]

In large rural areas like Lincolnshire, the air ambulance can make the difference between life and death, particularly for car crashes where roads are blocked. What plans does the Minister have to strengthen the services of the East Midlands air ambulance service?

[Norman Lamb]

I will be very happy to discuss the issue with my hon. Friend, if he would like to do so. I pay tribute to the extraordinary work the air ambulance services undertake across our country. I have witnessed that in my own community and I would be very happy to talk further about what more can be done to strengthen the work they do.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Edward Leigh and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 14th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

People can always choose to spend more than local authorities deem it necessary to spend in order to secure care. However, we are implementing exactly the scheme that Andrew Dilnot recommended, and when he announced his proposals they were welcomed by the hon. Gentleman’s own party as a significant advance.

[Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

9. What steps he plans to take to improve the quality of health care provision in the east midlands.