Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Giles Watling and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

Last Friday, I was fortunate enough to visit the outer Greater Gabbard wind farm array with my constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin). We sailed right out among the wind turbines. The plan is to bring the power ashore in my constituency of Clacton, but that does not make sense to me. I do not understand why the power cannot be brought ashore to the decommissioned Bradwell nuclear power station on the Dengie peninsular—no need for more pylons or substations; upgrade what is there. Will the Minister ask National Grid why it is insisting on spoiling untouched beautiful countryside in the Tendring peninsular and putting more pylons across the Essex countryside?

[Mr Speaker]

I think there must be a lot of green jobs if you come that way. Try and answer that, Minister.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Giles Watling and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 26th April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

8. What diplomatic steps she is taking to strengthen relationships with Commonwealth countries.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Can somebody on the Front Bench please answer the question?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Vicky Ford)]

I am terribly sorry, Mr Speaker; I could not hear my colleague over the noise in the House. The UK has been an energetic Commonwealth chair in office, working to strengthen collaboration and co-ordination right across our Commonwealth family, including on recovery from covid, trade, investment and climate. Last week, as we have been discussing, the Prime Minister visited India. The Foreign Secretary has also visited India as well as Australia. I have visited South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and Eswatini, and if I were to tell hon. Members where Lord Ahmad has been, we would be here until tomorrow.

Downing Street Parties: Police Investigation

Debate between Giles Watling and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 25th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

Given that there are ongoing investigations by Sue Gray and the Metropolitan police at this time, and we await the results, does my right hon. and learned Friend not agree that this urgent question is a vexatious waste of everybody’s time?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sure the hon. Gentleman is not questioning my judgment. I am the person who grants urgent questions. I am sure he would like to withdraw the question; it does not need answering.

[Giles Watling]

Mr Speaker, at your behest, I withdraw the question.