Business of the House
Debate between Lucy Powell and Claire Hughes(2 days, 11 hours ago)
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Lucy Powell
Absolutely. What an important issue my hon. Friend raises. As she may be aware, the UK national screening committee is undertaking an evidence-led review into prostate cancer screening, which is due to be completed soon. I will ensure that she and the House are updated as soon as that happens.
Claire Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) (Lab)
Parents in my constituency are deeply worried about the prevalence of ketamine in our communities, and staff at my local hospital tell me that an increasing number of young people are presenting with serious harm caused by the drug, including life-lasting bladder damage. Use of ketamine by young people in the UK is estimated to have tripled since 2016, so I was pleased this week to read that the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention has sought advice on upgrading ketamine from a category C to a category B drug. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning criminals who peddle drugs such as ketamine to children, and grant a debate on the important issue of tackling drug use in young people?
Lucy Powell
Absolutely. Many of us are seeing the dangerous impact of the rise in ketamine use across our constituency and in young people. My hon. Friend mentioned the actions that Ministers have taken; we will do whatever it takes to clamp down on the growth in ketamine use.
Business of the House
Debate between Lucy Powell and Claire Hughes(3 weeks, 2 days ago)
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Lucy Powell
The hon. Lady raises a really important issue for her constituents. I know her constituency well, as we are near neighbours. In fact, my brother is a constituent of hers and was very pleased that last week she raised the problems with the trains in her constituency. Today she raises the very important matter of speeding, which comes up in the House regularly. The Government are committed to tackling road traffic accidents and speeding on our roads. I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard her question today and that she gets a proper reply.
Claire Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) (Lab)
FSB Wales, the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, is asking people to join its £10 pledge by spending at least £10 with a small business during December. I am very much looking forward to getting out on to Bangor High Street this weekend to finish my Christmas shopping, and especially to visit the new Obsession Menswear shop that has just opened in the Deiniol centre. Will the Leader of the House join me in taking the £10 pledge and wishing all small businesses in Bangor Aberconwy a very merry Christmas?
Lucy Powell
I will be joining my hon. Friend in the mad dash for last-minute Christmas presents this weekend—I am hoping to get some that cost £10 or less, which is quite difficult in the current climate. I absolutely join her in supporting local businesses in her constituency. Maybe I could try a few Christmas puns, Mr Speaker. There is “noel” time like the present to shop in Bangor.
Business of the House
Debate between Lucy Powell and Claire Hughes(3 months ago)
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Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend raises the very important matter of community theatres, and the one in his constituency sounds really important. It is a matter of national shame that so many theatres are struggling to find funding, and I hope that his local authority will reconsider its decision. He may wish to raise this issue next week at Culture, Media and Sport questions.
Claire Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) (Lab)
May I say penblwydd hapus iawn to the Leader of the House?
Last week, I was absolutely delighted to attend the launch of Bangor University’s new medical school, a really exciting development that will not only train the next generation of doctors in north Wales, but be a real catalyst for regional investment. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating all those involved in delivering the medical school, and make time for a debate in this House on the important role that universities can play in stimulating regional growth?
Lucy Powell
To see the new medical school opening is a brilliant thing to happen so early in my hon. Friend’s time as the MP representing Bangor. It will be a vital facility in helping this Government to deliver our ambitions for an extra 40,000 appointments a week and all the additional doctors that our NHS so desperately needs, so I am delighted to thank all of those involved, and I thank her for supporting it.
Business of the House
Debate between Lucy Powell and Claire Hughes(4 months ago)
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Claire Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) (Lab)
Community energy projects such as Ynni Ogwen in my constituency already play a vital role in the energy mix, and with GB Energy we will see a huge increase in clean power projects. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on the important topic of community energy?
Lucy Powell
Community energy projects are vital to our clean energy superpower mission, and Great British Energy, which will be debated this afternoon, is an important step towards that. I am sure that my hon. Friend will wish to raise those matters then.