Oral Answers to Questions

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Wednesday 14th July 2021 Commons Chamber

[Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con) [V]]

[Inaudible.]

[Mr Speaker]

Philip Dunne has technical problems. Let us go to Alec Shelbrooke.

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

What steps he plans to take to help ensure that all COP26 parties uphold the commitments of that conference.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alok Sharma]

Obviously we want to ensure that we have a physical event and that those who apply have an opportunity to try to get accredited. As I said, for parliamentarians in this and the other place, we will be opening a registration process shortly.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow COP26 President.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Before we come to Prime Minister’s questions, I would like to point out that a British sign language interpretation of the proceedings is available to watch on parliamentlive.tv.

The Prime Minister was asked—

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

I reiterate our total support for our fantastic England team, and I support them in the way they showed solidarity with their friends who faced racism.

When the right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about the Home Secretary, let me remind him that she has faced racism and prejudice all her career of a kind that he can never imagine. She has taken practical steps to get black and minority officers into the police in record numbers, of which I am very proud. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to hear the Prime Minister. If his own side do not want to hear him, I am sure the Tea Room will accommodate them. It is very important to listen to what the Prime Minister has to say.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

Nobody defends booing of the England side. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman continues to attack the Home Secretary—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to hear the Prime Minister. I want to know the answer, and I expect the Opposition to listen to the answer.

[The Prime Minister]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We love and admire the England side and what they did. They represent the best of our country. Nobody defends booing the England side. But what the Home Secretary has been trying to do all her life is not just fight racism, but take practical steps to advance the cause of black and minority ethnic groups, which she has done successfully, notably in the police. As the right hon. and learned Gentleman is chucking this kind of thing around, may I ask him now to retract this leaflet I have here that was produced by the Labour party during the Batley and Spen by-election, which was condemned by his own MPs as “dog-whistle racism”?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend. She is quite right; there could not be a better campaign for the summer. We have put £1.9 million of support into the reading scheme that she mentions. But of course there is £200 million going into the holiday activities fund, and there could not be a better, more useful, happier way of occupying your time on holiday than reading a good book.

[Mr Speaker]

Can I just gently say to all leaders that in the end I have had to cut off quite a few Back Benchers because of the amount of time that has been taken up at the beginning? Can we think about those as well? It is so important that they get their questions heard.

[Peter Kyle]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

There will be no points of order now. I am now suspending the House for a few minutes, to enable the necessary arrangements for the next item of business to be made.