Oral Answers

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Tuesday 25th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mark Fletcher to ask the final question.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

The Minister is aware that BUPA recently closed the dental practice in Bolsover, leaving a severe shortage of NHS dentistry in the constituency. I met the ICB yesterday to discuss the various options for the constituency, but will the Minister commit to meeting me and the ICB to talk through those options and see what we can do to maintain NHS dentistry in Bolsover?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Tuesday 19th April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

May I just reassure the Secretary of State for Health that I was not being generous? The shadow Secretary of State had two questions, so I have not been generous in any shape, way or form.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

T2. We have all seen the disturbing scenes in Shanghai recently. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this shows how dangerous a zero covid strategy is and that we were right to open up this country and to rely on our vaccines as the safest way out of the covid situation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Wednesday 30th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Just for the record, it is the Scottish national party.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

Q7. Following on from the publication of the schools White Paper, one of my most important campaigns is to secure provision of quality post-16 education within the Bolsover constituency, where there is currently none. Young people in my constituency have to travel long distances at considerable cost to access their education. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can right this wrong for the young people of the Bolsover constituency and give them the education that they deserve?

Business of the House

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Thursday 24th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

This weekend, Bolsover Drama Group will host a celebration and performance to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The group gives a huge amount to the community and in particular provides opportunities for young people. In congratulating Mick Whitehouse, Chris Peck and all the members of the group on their landmark celebration, may I ask the Leader of the House for a debate in Government time on the important role that the arts play in local communities? Will he also apologise to my husband, because I am here on our wedding anniversary?

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Leader of the House—you’re in trouble!

Committee on Standards: Decision of the House

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Monday 8th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I welcome that, but we do need to push on.

[Mark Fletcher]

If ever an intervention killed a career, Mr Speaker!

It is the untold story of last week’s situation that absolutely none of the points raised by Mr Paterson and his various supporters were not discussed by the Committee at length. The report that was produced contained many of the responses and corrections. Everyone is entitled to disagree with what the Committee decided, but it is desperately unfair to suggest that it did anything other than forensically examine all the evidence presented to it and reach the appropriate decision. The Committee so often has diverse starting points, but we work incredibly hard to reach a consensus, which I think is the very definition of fairness for Members whose cases appear in front of us. If we change the process to remove the lay members, our standards system will be all the poorer for their loss.

It was only a matter of weeks ago that this House was united in grief for the loss of a great colleague. That was us at our very best. Today’s debate, with the mistakes that have been made, the opportunism of some Opposition Members—I hate to point it out—and the rush to create a new system without full consideration is us at our very worst. I am a proud member of the 2019 intake that came to this House determined to deliver a better politics for my constituents. I want a free and fair standards process that allows me to look my constituents in the eye and say, “No, we are not all the same.” Improvements can be made, but rushing things through risks creating a bigger mess. Let cooler heads prevail. Our duties as Members of this House are wide ranging. We represent our constituents, we create laws, we hold the Government to account, and we work to further many issues, but we are also role models held to high standards. When we fall short of those standards, as any Member can do, we should remember our duties to this House, to our colleagues and to our democratic system.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Monday 22nd June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mark Fletcher—final question.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker—last and, hopefully, not least. I would like to place on record my thanks to the governors, teachers and headteachers across the Bolsover constituency, who have managed to get our schools up and going again. However, one of the common complaints I have heard from them is that guidance has often been issued quite late or at inconvenient times. Can the Secretary of State make sure that their complaint is heard, and that in future we will issue guidance with plenty of time?

[Gavin Williamson]

By the nature of the crisis, sadly, guidance, which we always want to get out at the greatest of speed, has always faced quite considerable time pressures, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we very much take his words to heart. As we issue guidance for schools about the full return of all pupils in September, we will ensure that this goes out in plenty of time before schools rise for the summer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Mark Fletcher

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I hope that we can now get through the Order Paper a little more quickly. This applies to Members on both sides.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to ensure further education colleges are able to deliver skills required for the future.