Mining: Health and Safety

Debate between Hannah Bardell and Margaret Ferrier

Tuesday 28th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Hannah Bardell]

I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman. Working with members who work in that community is vital.

West Lothian Council’s local history library collected information about the disaster that became part of a community exhibition developed in conjunction with the Calder history group and Almond Valley Heritage Trust. Many communities across the UK do work like this, and it is vital that the young people in communities around us remember their industrial heritage.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this Adjournment debate. May I take this opportunity to remember the 207 people who lost their lives at the High Blantyre colliery in what is now my constituency, on 22 October 1877? Many local women were suddenly widowed and children were left without a father in the worst mining disaster in Scotland’s history. Does my hon. Friend agree that, though historical, the tragedy provides a lesson from the past in why the health and safety of those working in mines should be paramount?

[Hannah Bardell]

I join my hon. Friend in her tributes. She is a doughty champion for her constituents, and I share in all that she says.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Hannah Bardell and Margaret Ferrier

Monday 6th June 2016 Commons Chamber

[Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP)]

14. What assessment he has made of the effect of the right-to-buy scheme on the availability of low-cost housing for people on low incomes.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

16. What assessment he has made of the effect of the right-to-buy scheme on the availability of low-cost housing for people on low incomes.

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Brandon Lewis)]

Within England, a new affordable home has been provided for every additional right-to-buy sale since 2012 under a reinvigorated scheme. Under the groundbreaking voluntary agreement, housing associations will also deliver an additional home nationally for every home sold.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Debate between Hannah Bardell and Margaret Ferrier

Thursday 10th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Hannah Bardell]

I share my hon. Friend’s concern. Perhaps we should draw on the experience of the Scottish referendum, which showed that full engagement and full transparency allow full participation in these processes. It is important that the public have all the information available to them.

My second concern about the potential impact on Scotland of a ratified TTIP is the effect on protected food names and geographical indicators.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

This week, we had an excellent Westminster Hall debate on bees and the use of neonicotinoids. There are worries that TTIP could water down the regulations on pesticides. Does my hon. Friend agree that, in addition to the threat to names and geographical indicators, TTIP poses other threats that could affect Scotland’s clean, green status and its £14 billion food and drink sector?