Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill

Ellie Reeves Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 15th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

I commend my hon. Friend the Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) for her persistence in bringing forward such an important Bill. I share her view, as I am sure we all do, that the treatment of the Hillsborough families is a stain upon this country. Action must be taken to ensure that we never again see families and survivors having to fight for decades to get to the truth.

This Bill would provide a better way of responding to large-scale public disasters on behalf of bereaved relatives and survivors. It would facilitate transparency about what has happened at an early stage, which would not only give answers for those involved, but allow learning to be implemented to prevent further victims from being created. The Bill would be a lasting legacy for the 97 lost in the Hillsborough disaster and would give real protections to victims and families of future public disasters. I look forward to seeing it progress through the House.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I will call the Minister now. We are pressed for time, but we will see how far he gets in his speech.