Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 2nd March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Will somebody please just go and look at this tunnel!

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

T7. While it is obviously right to develop other forms of transport, does the Secretary of State agree with me that in rural areas in particular the car is here to stay? Is it not therefore very important that we have adequate road infrastructure in place before any sizeable developments are begun?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 23rd February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Scott Benton—not here.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 22nd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am sorry we did not get to the end of questions, but people were a little indulgent in the time taken.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 27th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. This is topical questions. We had a good love-in at the beginning, but answers are meant to be short and punchy, not a full debate. Laurence Robertson, show us the example.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

T5. On the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s replacement of electronic countermeasures, can the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster advise me on whether that process has reached the end? If it has not, will he reconsider the bids that were made by a number of companies, two of which are in my constituency, which do not feel that the process was carried out as thoroughly, in terms of investigations, as it might have been?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 8th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Laurence Robertson to ask the final question.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

While the world rightly focuses on the terrible events in Ukraine, I remind the House of the terrible ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where women in particular are suffering the most terrible attacks and there is also a potential famine. I know that the Minister is taking a deep interest in that, but can the Government do any more to help?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 6th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Thank you.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

3. What assessment she has made of the effect on the tourism industry of the covid-19 Plan B advice for people to work from home where possible.

Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Bill

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 22nd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robertson]

The hon. Gentleman makes a very good point and I would make two points in response. When the Select Committee looked at the issue—it was the first issue we looked at under my chairmanship back in 2010—it was not unanimous in its support for devolving responsibilities for corporation tax, but all the parties in general were in favour of it. Corporation tax was one of the few issues that every party in Northern Ireland agreed with the policy on, which was a real positive.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, I am afraid. We could have done something about it then. The corporation tax rate for Northern Ireland could have been changed in 2010, or long before that, had it not been for our membership of the EU. I am not sure how far Mr Deputy Speaker will allow me to pursue that argument, but even if we wanted to reduce VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland, it would not be legal under EU rules. There are a number of ways of looking at membership of the EU. We spent two and a half hours on it earlier, and I do not suppose we will be allowed to spend too much longer on it now, but the point the hon. Gentleman makes is absolutely right.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. May I just reassure the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr Robertson): there is always Thursday for it?

[Mr Robertson]

Indeed there is, Mr Deputy Speaker.

I was saying that I accept that petitions of concern have been used to excess by both sides and had not been very helpful in coming to agreements on important issues. This is not contained in the legislation, but I know that the fresh start agreement did address that point and did request in a very strong way, as it were, that that facility should not be abused for the reasons we have given.

I do not wish to detain the House any longer, but this small but important Bill moves us in the right direction. I compliment and congratulate the Secretary of State on introducing it and—as I said earlier—on the enormous amount of hard work she has put in.

Northern Ireland

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 23rd October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con)]

My hon. Friend is making a thoughtful speech. I congratulate the Select Committee, which he chairs, on its work. I also congratulate my hon. Friends in the Democratic Unionist party on securing this timely debate. Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the best ways to make progress on burying the past would be for Sinn Fein Members to come to this House and take part in debates such as these? It is a matter of great sadness that they do not do so. I appeal to my hon. Friend to make a plea to that effect—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Interventions must be short.

[Mr Robertson]

I thank my hon. Friend for that powerful intervention. That point was also raised earlier, and I agree entirely. I have in fact taken the matter to the very top, in that I have said to Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness that that is exactly what they should be doing. They should be coming here to argue their case. They travel to Westminster and hold meetings here in this building, but they will not come to the Chamber to discuss these issues. They are not serving the people of Northern Ireland very well by pursuing that abstentionist policy. Almost a third of the Province is unrepresented here in this Chamber, which is a tragedy for the people of Northern Ireland, regardless of whether they are republicans or Unionists.

Betting Shops

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 19th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. It has been the manner of the House that, before making a speech, one declares an interest. We have just heard a speech by the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr Robertson) and it is my understanding that he has a role supported by the betting industry. It should have been declared before his contribution, which, frankly, felt like a speech that had been written by the industry itself.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

That is not a matter for the Chair; it is a matter for each Member to decide whether they feel it is relevant to declare their interest.

[Mr Laurence Robertson]

I made the speech, and I think most Members would understand that I came from a horse racing background. I am indeed joint chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on racing and bloodstock, but that group is not supported by bookmakers.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I think that answers the point of order. I want no more points of order on that subject.