Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Wednesday 19th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Mr Gordon Birtwistle.

[Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In 2009, Burnley was classed as an unemployment blackspot. In 2014, unemployment has fallen to 3.5% and we are no longer a blackspot. May I advise my right hon. Friend that the economic plan of the coalition Government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is working in Burnley?

Economic Policy

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Monday 25th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the shadow Chancellor would himself get a triple A rating for his skill in running this country down? Does he also agree that the hard-working people of this country are getting—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Burnley (Mr Birtwistle) should resume his seat. I must say to Members that I am trying to ascertain whether the question is in order; it might or might not be, but it is very difficult to hear. I can make a judgment only if I can hear it, and that means Members need to stop shrieking. Let us hear the hon. Member for Burnley and see whether he is in order.

[Gordon Birtwistle]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am sure that you will find that it is totally in order. Does my right hon. Friend agree with the rest of the people that they are getting sick and tired of the shadow Chancellor’s politically motivated antics?

[Mr Speaker]

I am bound to tell the hon. Member for Burnley that I am always very grateful to him for his advice, but I think that on the whole I can probably get by without it, and only by a very generous interpretation—I am in a generous mood—could that be considered to be in order, but I will happily have the Chancellor briefly respond.

Science, Technology and Engineering (Careers Information in Schools)

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Wednesday 13th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We have had the pleasure of the presence of the hon. Gentleman in this House for two decades. That is, perhaps, some compensation. The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in the Bill. [Interruption.] Mr Birtwistle, you are poised; is that because you wish to speak in opposition to the Bill?

[Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD)]

indicated dissent.

[Mr Speaker]

We are grateful.

Question put and agreed to.

Ordered,

That Peter Luff, Mr Graham Stuart, Charles Hendry, Mr James Arbuthnot, Mr Robin Walker, Miss Anne McIntosh, Gordon Birtwistle, Meg Munn, Mr Barry Sheerman, Mr Adrian Bailey, Fiona Mactaggart and Mr Nick Raynsford present the Bill.

Peter Luff accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 1 March, and to be printed (Bill 138).

Fuel Prices and the Cost of Living

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. That is not an orderly way in which to conduct the debate. An hon. Member should not stand up in the Chamber with an electronic device and read from an e-mail as a means of debating. That is the current position—such matters are always subject to review, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that that is the position at the moment, and we will leave it there.

[Gordon Birtwistle]

I apologise.

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman,

[Ms Eagle]

That is nought out of two for the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps the next time he tries to intervene, he will manage to be in order.

Special Urban Development Zones

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in his Bill.

[Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD)]

Mr Speaker, am I allowed to comment?

[Mr Speaker]

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to oppose the Bill, he can.

[Gordon Birtwistle]

I do not wish to oppose the Bill. What I—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Thursday 15th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Birtwistle]

Although I welcome the HMR pathfinder programme, which has delivered massive housing regeneration in many areas across the UK, including my constituency, will the Minister look into both the system of passporting proposals for regeneration and the funding stream, following Government approval, from the HCA to the local authorities? The present delivery quango, which sits between the HCA and the local authorities, top-slices an average of 10% of the funds available, which equates to approximately £40 million for 2008-09, while delivering little benefit on the ground—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think that we have heard enough.

Emerging Economies

Debate between Gordon Birtwistle and John Bercow

Monday 14th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Birtwistle]

My concern, which the hon. Gentleman may well be able to answer, is about the fact that the emerging markets have now taken away our heavy industry—shipbuilding, steel and things of that nature. How do you see this country fighting back against the emerging markets, with jobs of the future? I accept that we have advanced engineering in aerospace and other such sectors, but many residents of the country do not have the skills to be involved in that type of industry. How do you see the UK fighting back against the emerging markets in respect of less skilled jobs?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I gently point out to the hon. Gentleman that I do not see anything, although I think that the hon. Member for Henley (John Howell) will.