Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Nick Smith

Wednesday 19th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I thank Julia and her team for the fantastic job that they are doing, and my hon. Friend as the local Member of Parliament. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for people to learn and gain experience, and I am proud that we have created 5.1 million apprenticeships since 2010.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

The Prime Minister’s chief of staff is in hot water after lobbying on behalf of a Libyan warlord and big tobacco. It turns out that he has also lobbied for personal protective equipment giants Sante Global. Is it wise to have a lobbyist at the centre of Government?

[The Prime Minister]

All appointments in Downing Street are properly checked through the propriety and ethics process. That is the way that we do it in a completely impartial way.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Nick Smith

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

On Sunday, I was pleased to speak at a United Nations General Assembly event on investing in Africa’s female future. Nimco Ali’s Five Foundation was also represented. It is doing great work to tackle female genital mutilation and bring more economic opportunity for women. In the Department for International Trade, we are currently working on trade continuity agreements with countries such as Kenya to help to build trade and help women in those countries to succeed.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on tackling online abuse targeted at women.

HMP Birmingham

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Nick Smith

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

The White Paper is very clear about reforming and making sure IMB recommendations are taken seriously, and about working closely with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, because at the moment there is no duty for the Secretary of State to respond. We are putting that in place, to make sure it triggers action.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

How many staff were on duty when the riot started, and what is the Secretary of State’s estimate of the cost of the disturbance?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I have recounted the events of the day as far as we are aware of them, but there will be a full investigation that will make all those facts clear.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Nick Smith

Thursday 7th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Nick Smith.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Cheers, Mr Speaker. [Laughter.] I am glad that the food unit is showing success. However, while the Secretary of State boasts about her support for British food, DEFRA headquarters sources almost half its food from overseas, and other Departments are falling even further behind. Why is DEFRA not ensuring that Departments back our great British food?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We absolutely are ensuring that Departments are backing British food. For example, more than 90% of the dairy products sourced by the Government come from the United Kingdom. There are, of course, some products, such as coffee, that we cannot yet produce in the UK, although now that we are able to produce our own aubergines, tomatoes and chillies, I am sure we are not far away from that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Nick Smith

Thursday 17th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I compliment my hon. Friend on his teeth. We have been working hard on Government procurement. One hundred per cent. of the milk that Government Departments buy is British, as well as 98% of the butter and 86% of the cheese. I am pleased to inform the House that, from April this year, all 30 million cartons of milk supplied to Her Majesty’s Prison Service will be British.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Derbyshire authorities found that 60% of takeaway ham and cheese pizzas contained neither ham nor cheese. To protect public health and give confidence in the food we eat, when will the much trumpeted but little seen food crime unit be given the teeth it deserves?

[Elizabeth Truss]

The food crime unit has been established as per our commitment and is operational. I am sure it will be looking into cases such as that one.