Business of the House

Jamie Stone Excerpts

Thursday 13th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

Bore da to all the children in my hon. Friend’s constituency, in Bangor, Aberconwy and elsewhere. Who would know that bobbing was such a skill, Mr Speaker? It keeps all our gluts in check, certainly for me at business questions. My favourite thing about being a Member of Parliament is being able to stand up, advocate for and represent my constituents. First and foremost, that is the job that we are all here to do.

[Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)]

During Business and Trade questions earlier, we heard mention of the fantastic value of the export of our food and drink to the United States, which was a sound point. The food and drink industry supports tourism all over the UK, and the whisky distilleries provide fantastic local employment in some of the remotest parts of Scotland. Mr Speaker, next time you travel on London North Eastern Railway, the biscuits you eat will have been made by Mr Gary Reid of Perthshire. I declare an interest because my brother is a cheesemaker. May we have a debate on the food and drink industry in the UK, which is one of our greatest achievements?

[Lucy Powell]

Absolutely. We have great British food and drink, whether it is whisky or the great cheese that the hon. Gentleman’s brother makes. A big cheese-lover, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Withington (Jeff Smith), is sitting next to me on the Bench; the hon. Gentleman’s brother might want to give him a sample. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that the many great foods and drinks we make in this country are a really important part of our exports around the world, to America and elsewhere. I will ensure that the House is kept up to date on these issues; they would make a good topic for a debate.