James Clappison

Conservative - Former Member for Hertsmere

First elected: 9th April 1992

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


James Clappison is not a member of any APPGs
European Scrutiny Committee
22nd Jan 2007 - 30th Mar 2015
Home Affairs Committee
18th Nov 2002 - 30th Mar 2015
International Development Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 14th Feb 2011
Shadow Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
10th Jul 2007 - 6th May 2010
Draft Civil Contingencies Bill (Joint Committee)
10th Jul 2003 - 28th Nov 2003
Shadow Spokesperson (Treasury)
1st Jan 2002 - 1st Jan 2003
Shadow Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
1st Jan 2001 - 1st Jan 2002
Shadow Spokesperson (Treasury)
1st Jan 2000 - 1st Jan 2001
Shadow Spokesperson (Education)
1st Jan 1999 - 1st Jan 2000
Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
1st Jan 1997 - 1st Jan 1999
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment)
6th Jul 1995 - 1st May 1997
Health and Social Care Committee
27th Apr 1992 - 24th Jan 1994


Division Voting information

James Clappison has voted in 1313 divisions, and 49 times against the majority of their Party.

10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 127 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
20 Nov 2013 - Defence Reform Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Conservative Aye votes vs 255 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 252 Noes - 306
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 131 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 400 Noes - 175
31 Jan 2013 - Canterbury City Council Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative No votes vs 72 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 7
6 Nov 2012 - Banking Union and Economic and Monetary Union - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative Aye votes vs 221 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 33 Noes - 273
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 294
17 Oct 2012 - Oral Health Services - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 227 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 479 Noes - 33
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
10 Jul 2012 - House of Lords Reform Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 192 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 462 Noes - 124
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative Aye votes vs 209 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
11 Jul 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative No votes vs 229 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 485 Noes - 22
11 Jul 2011 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 274 Noes - 246
24 May 2011 - Eurozone Financial Assistance - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 46
4 May 2011 - Rights of Adoptive Parents - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 215 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 249 Noes - 139
16 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative No votes vs 246 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 231
15 Feb 2011 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 253 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 247
9 Feb 2011 - Domestic Heating Oil - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 234 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 45
1 Feb 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 249 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 295
26 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 254 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 313
25 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative Aye votes vs 260 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 31 Noes - 324
24 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 257 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 239 Noes - 310
11 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 255 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 39 Noes - 314
15 Dec 2010 - Loans to Ireland Bill (Allocation of Time) - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 246 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 22
15 Dec 2010 - Loans to Ireland Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 246 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 301
10 Nov 2010 - European Union Economic Governance - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 243 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 296 Noes - 40
13 Oct 2010 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 227 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 21
13 Oct 2010 - Draft EU Budget 2011 - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative Aye votes vs 204 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 42 Noes - 252
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative Aye votes vs 85 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 157
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative No votes vs 93 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 111 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 50 Conservative Aye votes vs 67 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 84 Noes - 387
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 110 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 50 Conservative No votes vs 80 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative No votes vs 98 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 103 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 25 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 113 Noes - 27
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative Aye votes vs 21 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 33 Noes - 100
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative Aye votes vs 20 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 32 Noes - 96
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 25 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 117 Noes - 22
18 May 2007 - Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 17 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 25
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
James Clappison voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 55 Conservative Aye votes vs 121 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 337 Noes - 224
View All James Clappison Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Department Debates
Home Office
(59 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(33 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(23 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
James Clappison has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all James Clappison's debates

Latest EDMs signed by James Clappison

James Clappison has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by James Clappison, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


James Clappison has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by James Clappison

Wednesday 16th February 2011

James Clappison has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

James Clappison has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 11 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
11th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department provides to religious minorities affected by the activities of ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

UK aid is reaching hundreds of thousands of vulnerable displaced people across Iraq and Syria, including those religious minorities affected by ISIL’s activities. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity. DFID continues to work with the UN and the international community to ensure all minorities’ rights are protected and our aid reaches those in greatest need. To date, the UK has pledged £800 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region, and a further £39.5 million to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.

17th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of the case of Asia Bibi and the death sentence she has received in Pakistan for an alleged offence of blasphemy; what representations he has made to the government of Pakistan about that country's blasphemy laws; and whether he has received any representations on the possibility of excluding Pakistan from the Commonwealth on human rights grounds.

I am concerned to hear about the case of Asia Bibi and reports that a court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We have consistently pressed the government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and our principled opposition to it in all cases and I will ensure that we continue to do both of these things. The FCO has not received any representations on the possibility of excluding Pakistan from the Commonwealth on human rights grounds. However, we consistently strive to foster debate on the death penalty to achieve a change in attitude on this issue within the Commonwealth.

19th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what most recent reports he has received on the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped on the West Bank on 12 June 2014; what recent steps he has taken to help secure their release; what representations he has made regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives daily updates from our posts in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. We have offered practical support. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister on 17 June about this issue. I also discussed this issue with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 18-19 June.

11th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the position of (a) the Christian community and (b) other religious minorities in Mosul, Iraq; what reports he has received of Christians fleeing their homes in Mosul; and if he will make a statement.

We are concerned by the impact of the security situation in Mosul for all Iraqis living there, including religious minorities. Reports estimate that 500,000 people have left the Mosul area to escape violence caused when the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) attacked the city on 10 June. Many have sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A team from the Department for International Development arrived in Erbil on 13 June to assess the situation on the ground and co-ordinate with partners. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he plans to make to the government of Pakistan following the death sentence imposed on Sawan Masih as a result of an alleged offence of blasphemy; and whether he plans to raise that matter at a Commonwealth level.

I am concerned to hear about the case of Sawan Masih and the imposition of the death penalty. We regularly raise the issue of blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims and religious minorities at the highest levels in Pakistan. During last week's adjournment debate on the blasphemy law my rt hon Friend the Minister for Europe assured this House that "we must continue to pursue this issue" with the Pakistani authorities. We encourage interfaith dialogue and support those in Pakistan who are working for reform of blasphemy laws. We have also consistently pressed the government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and our principled opposition to it in all cases. We consistently strive to foster debate on the death penalty within the Commonwealth and hope that these issues will be discussed by Commonwealth Law Ministers at their meeting in Botswana in May.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what account his Department has taken of mortgage liability in its assessment of liability for levy on higher value homes as part of its work preparatory to the possible introduction of such a tax.

The Government does not intend to introduce a new levy on higher value homes.

The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. The Treasury does not have a precise regional breakdown of properties worth over £2 million.

Budget 2012 introduced a number of changes to high value property tax, including the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), a tax on residential properties valued at more than £2 million owned through certain corporate ‘envelopes'.

Self-assessment was chosen for ATED. The cost of implementing ATED was set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2013. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2013/tiin-1182.pdf

The cost of implementation of a new levy would be dependent on the nature of the tax.

As part of the introduction of ATED, a public consultation document was published and a variety of organisations responded. The response to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ensuring-the-fair-taxation-of-residential-property-transactions

When developing ATED, no account was taken of mortgage liability.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has been made of the number of properties in each region liable for a possible levy on higher value homes.

The Government does not intend to introduce a new levy on higher value homes.

The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. The Treasury does not have a precise regional breakdown of properties worth over £2 million.

Budget 2012 introduced a number of changes to high value property tax, including the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), a tax on residential properties valued at more than £2 million owned through certain corporate ‘envelopes'.

Self-assessment was chosen for ATED. The cost of implementing ATED was set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2013. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2013/tiin-1182.pdf

The cost of implementation of a new levy would be dependent on the nature of the tax.

As part of the introduction of ATED, a public consultation document was published and a variety of organisations responded. The response to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ensuring-the-fair-taxation-of-residential-property-transactions

When developing ATED, no account was taken of mortgage liability.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what work has been carried out by his Department's officials on the possible introduction of a levy on higher value homes; what starting points for liability in the value of properties have been considered in the course of any such work; and if he will publish that work.

The Government does not intend to introduce a new levy on higher value homes.

The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. The Treasury does not have a precise regional breakdown of properties worth over £2 million.

Budget 2012 introduced a number of changes to high value property tax, including the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), a tax on residential properties valued at more than £2 million owned through certain corporate ‘envelopes'.

Self-assessment was chosen for ATED. The cost of implementing ATED was set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2013. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2013/tiin-1182.pdf

The cost of implementation of a new levy would be dependent on the nature of the tax.

As part of the introduction of ATED, a public consultation document was published and a variety of organisations responded. The response to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ensuring-the-fair-taxation-of-residential-property-transactions

When developing ATED, no account was taken of mortgage liability.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what methods of assessing liability for a levy on higher value homes have been considered by his Department in the course of preparatory work on the introduction of such a tax; whether individual valuation of properties has been considered in such work; and what estimate has been made of the cost of implementation of such a tax.

The Government does not intend to introduce a new levy on higher value homes.

The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. The Treasury does not have a precise regional breakdown of properties worth over £2 million.

Budget 2012 introduced a number of changes to high value property tax, including the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), a tax on residential properties valued at more than £2 million owned through certain corporate ‘envelopes'.

Self-assessment was chosen for ATED. The cost of implementing ATED was set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2013. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2013/tiin-1182.pdf

The cost of implementation of a new levy would be dependent on the nature of the tax.

As part of the introduction of ATED, a public consultation document was published and a variety of organisations responded. The response to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ensuring-the-fair-taxation-of-residential-property-transactions

When developing ATED, no account was taken of mortgage liability.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consultations have been carried out with (a) valuers and (b) other organisations on the possible introduction of a levy on higher value homes.

The Government does not intend to introduce a new levy on higher value homes.

The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000. The Treasury does not have a precise regional breakdown of properties worth over £2 million.

Budget 2012 introduced a number of changes to high value property tax, including the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), a tax on residential properties valued at more than £2 million owned through certain corporate ‘envelopes'.

Self-assessment was chosen for ATED. The cost of implementing ATED was set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2013. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2013/tiin-1182.pdf

The cost of implementation of a new levy would be dependent on the nature of the tax.

As part of the introduction of ATED, a public consultation document was published and a variety of organisations responded. The response to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ensuring-the-fair-taxation-of-residential-property-transactions

When developing ATED, no account was taken of mortgage liability.