Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Robin Walker

Monday 23rd May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

T5. Universities right across the UK have been teaming up with our counterparts in Ukraine, not only to try to ensure that institutions still exist when the war is over, but to deliver lectures to students virtually. What discussions has the Minister had with his colleagues across Government about supporting this impressive initiative, so that it can continue?

[Mr Walker]

Supporting Ukraine’s education system is a priority for us all, as is supporting children and young people who come from Ukraine. The Minister for Higher and Further Education has been working closely with the sector, and I have been working across the schools piece to make sure that our education sector is as well placed as it can be to support Ukrainian students.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Robin Walker

Monday 1st November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

As one who represents a constituency where schools have been flooded, I am sympathetic to the issues my hon. Friend has raised. The Department is aware of the flood risk to the school, and is working with the relevant parties to find a solution. We have consulted on how to select schools for the next round of the school rebuilding programme, and we are currently considering the extent to which flood risk will be part of the selection criteria, alongside other condition and safety concerns.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

May I again call attention to a physical safety issue in schools in England? Sprinklers are already mandatory in Scotland and Wales. What recent assessment has the Secretary of State made of the benefit of mandatory sprinkler systems in English school buildings?

[Mr Walker]

This is certainly an issue which the Department keeps under review, and I should be happy to speak to the hon. Lady about it in more detail.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Robin Walker

Thursday 27th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Walker]

I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s question. Of course we welcome the engagement of so many businesses from across different sectors, including the financial sector, in making this process the greatest success it can be.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

20. I hope you will indulge me for a moment, Mr Speaker. When I took my oath, you told me that my voice would be heard in this Chamber, and you have kept your word. You have been a champion for Back Benchers and I thank you for that.At the start of the week, the EU 27 firmed up their Brexit negotiating guidelines and inserted a new paragraph that states:“Any future framework should safeguard financial stability in the Union and respect its regulatory and supervisory regime and standards and their application.” Following this major blow to the Prime Minister’s unworkable plans for a hard Tory Brexit, can we expect to see a change in the Conservative manifesto?

[Mr Walker]

I welcome the hon. Lady’s question and her focus on financial stability, because, as I said in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond), we absolutely recognise the importance of financial stability for the whole of Europe, including the UK, and of reaching a deal with our European counterparts. When I met the financial services industry in Scotland to talk about these matters, it was clear on the importance of financial stability, and it was very clear on the vast importance of the United Kingdom market for Scottish financial services.