Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) (Lab/Co-op)]

9. What representations he has received on the legality of the voter ID pilots.

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

12. What representations he has received on the legality of the voter ID pilots.

--- Later in debate ---

[Chloe Smith]

The hon. Gentleman will have just heard me setting out measures to encourage more people to be involved in our democracy. He knows, as I hope does every Opposition Member, that there is a point of principle at stake here. Do we defend our system from fraud or do we not?

[Laura Smith]

Two barristers have concluded that there is no provision in the Representation of the People Act to introduce schemes by secondary legislation that restrict or discourage voting, and that the scheme is therefore beyond the scope of the law. Can the Minister reassure the House that she acted within the law?

[Chloe Smith]

Yes, I can. I can also reassure those listening that this is clearly a series of Labour Whips’ handout questions.

[Laura Smith]

indicated dissent.

[Chloe Smith]

The Labour party might like to reflect on the fact that it was its 2000 Act that allowed the pilots to be run.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

On the issue of flying flags, as I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate, we are flying the armed forces flag at No. 10 this week, but I do want to join him in congratulating the England team on making it through to the next round in the World cup. I can assure him that No. 10 will be flying the England flag on the day of each of England’s matches from now on, and we will be encouraging other Government Departments to do the same. I can also say that I am going to go further than my predecessors: next year we will do the same for the women’s World cup.

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

Social care workers up and down the country are being paid less than the minimum wage as a result of incorrect Government guidance. We are repeatedly told that the Government are in talks with the EU to resolve this issue. Why are the talks taking so long? Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and commit to paying the workers what they are owed, directly through an HMRC scheme?

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Lady raises an issue about people being paid the minimum wage. Obviously, there are rules in place to ensure that exactly that happens.

[Laura Smith]

It is not happening.