Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Ian Lavery Excerpts
Thursday 22nd June 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I hope all will be well in my hon. Friend’s constituency. She has arrived at her own solution. I will make sure that the Policing Minister has heard her remarks. On behalf of the whole House, we should thank her local force for its proactive policing and for all it is doing in this ongoing investigation to keep the community safe.

Ian Lavery Portrait Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)
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I refer to my declaration of interest. Pneumoconiosis, the coal dust lung disease, is still prevalent in coalmining communities and is still a major cause of death. National Union of Mineworkers advice centres are reporting that Government lawyers have become increasingly difficult on applications for compensation. Can we have a debate in Government time on how the Government can assist, rather than resist, these compensation applications from families who have lost their loved ones?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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Given that the relevant Department’s next questions will not be until after the summer recess, I will write on the hon. Gentleman’s behalf to make sure it has heard his concerns. As with all such cases, if I can facilitate surgeries and engagement with the relevant officials in that Department, I am always happy to do so.