Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

Monday 15th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

11. If he will take steps to further recognise the work of munitions workers during the First and Second World Wars.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Lancaster)]

I am sure that the whole House will join me in paying tribute to the thousands who worked in munitions factories during both world wars. They produced vital equipment that helped us to final victory. For practical reasons, it is not possible to pursue individual awards, but the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy would be happy to work with colleagues across the House to look at further ways of recognising the collective effort of former munitions workers.

[Henry Smith]

My constituent Sue Wickstead wrote to me about her aunt, who worked in a munitions factory during the second world war, and I urge my hon. Friend to work with BEIS to ensure that munitions workers are properly commemorated for their bravery on behalf of our country’s freedom.

[Mark Lancaster]

I am delighted to say that we are already in negotiations with the Department and will happily pursue that work.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

Tuesday 7th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

3. What recent progress he has made on the introduction of GP-led commissioning consortiums.

[Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con)]

13. What recent progress he has made on the introduction of GP-led commissioning consortiums.

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley)]

On 21 October, I invited general practice-led commissioning consortiums to put themselves forward as pathfinders, and I have been absolutely delighted by the response. The pathfinder consortiums will be announced shortly. They have formed in response to the needs of local communities, and there is, sensibly, variation around the country to take account of those differing needs. Some consortiums map on to local authority boundaries; others organise themselves around catchments for hospitals or smaller populations. This bottom-up, locally determined approach is exactly in line with what we envisaged in the policy framework.