Coalfield Communities

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Kevan Jones]

My figures are on page 23 of the Minister’s file, if he would like to look. He quotes figures, but does he realise that the jobs being created in coalfield communities—in County Durham, for example—are low paid, part time and insecure? The scandalous thing that I came across in my constituency last week is that some young people are not in any figures at all. They have opted out of the system. They are working in the black economy, which is clearly having an effect on the EU rebate. That is what is happening on the ground. The Minister can quote as many figures as he likes, but—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. In fairness, we have a lot of speakers, including, in fact, the hon. Gentleman, and I hope to get everyone in. We will not have long interventions.

--- Later in debate ---

[Conor Burns]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member for Lanark and Hamilton East (Mr Hood) has just made profoundly serious accusations against a noble Lord. Is that in order?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

In fairness, I did not hear as I was talking to a Whip. It is up to each Member to decide what they say, and they must make that decision.

[Mr Hood]

I will repeat part of the point that I am making. The rumours that Sir Leon Brittan was involved in misconduct with children do not come as news to miners who were on strike in 1984, because when miners were going into the dock in magistrates courts we were aware and miners were declaring—

[Mr Hood]

No, I will not give way. I will give way when I have finished my point.

Miners were saying in the dock in all the magistrates courts throughout the strike that they objected to the instructions coming from the Home Secretary when there were reports of child abuse linked with that same Home Secretary.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. It is up to each Member, but we have to be very careful about what we say. We must consider what we are saying and what the implications are.

[Mr Hood]

Obviously, I accept what you say, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am just repeating what I read in the papers—

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. Time is up. Five minutes have gone. I call Mr Mark Spencer.

--- Later in debate ---

[David T. C. Davies]

I was generous in giving way, and it is a pity that it was abused. The reality is that I am more on the hon. Gentleman’s side than he realises. I do not buy into this nonsense about global warming. I do not believe that carbon is creating a runaway problem we cannot cope with, and I wish that I had more time to go into why not. There is a place for coal in generating electricity. There is an NUM now that is much more moderate than it used to be. I fully support anyone who comes forward with a package that will allow us to use coal—British coal—to generate electricity. I urge Members from all parts of the House to think very carefully about any measures now—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. I call Dennis Skinner.