Points of Order
Debate between Kevin Barron and Clive Betts
Mr Speaker
I am saving the right hon. Gentleman up. He is too precious to waste at an early point in our proceedings.
Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)
Further to the point of order raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), which I entirely support, Mr Speaker. This is a major announcement affecting my constituency and many others. It is not an HS2 recommendation; it is a Government decision on a previous recommendation. The Government have always come to the House before with an oral statement. While we can ask for an urgent question tomorrow, by that time there will have been public debate on the matter. This House should have the first opportunity to debate it.
Sir Kevin Barron
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Many of my constituents have taken part in the consultation on the re-routing of HS2, over many months now, and we do not know if their voices have been heard. There has been no publication of the consultation, and we are now threatened with a decision that is going to wreck over 100 homes in my constituency and many jobs, with different employers. It is absolutely outrageous that my constituents have been treated with contempt by Ministers, who are not prepared to come to this House, tell us what they have spent all the money on and come to logical decisions on this matter, as opposed to hiding behind making a written statement, we think sometime today.
Tobacco Control Strategy
Debate between Kevin Barron and Clive Betts(9 years ago)
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Kevin Barron
May I also echo those comments? I wish everybody a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year as well.
The debate shows just how far the House, as a legislative body, has travelled over the past two decades, taking on these major issues on the basis of their effect on people, as opposed to their potential effect on political parties. That is greatly to the House’s credit, and I thank everybody who has spoken this afternoon.
I thank the Minister for leaving the door open in terms of what will be in the strategy next summer. Things may come forward that test us—such as what happens in the e-cigarette market and how we deal with that—and I am sure we will watch the issue with great interest. I thank everybody who has contributed.
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
May I also take this opportunity to wish everyone here a very happy Christmas? I look forward to seeing you all again in the new year.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That this House has considered a new tobacco control strategy.