Points of Order

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Tuesday 29th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We do not want a spate of points of order. The point has been made with great clarity and courtesy by the right hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mrs Miller). However, if the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) really thinks that he has anything to add, I will come to him in a moment.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

No, no, not yet. I am keeping the hon. Gentleman waiting because someone else signalled before he did, but I thank the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (James Gray).

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think that everyone is aware of my personal ambitions in this regard but, to be very serious, it is perfectly possible that Parliament will be prorogued on Thursday evening. However, it might be prorogued on Monday or Tuesday next week. If it were prorogued on Thursday evening, there would not be a speakership election next Monday. I understand that if there were to be a general election on 12 December, the requirement for a 25-day dissolution before that would mean that the House would be dissolved next Wednesday.

If I am honest, speaking as a candidate, I think it odd for the House to be focusing on a speakership election when we should be focusing on the concerns of the nation. So let me gently say, as a candidate, that it would be good to resolve this matter as soon as possible. I think that it would be daft to have a speakership election before the general election.

Early Parliamentary General Election

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 28th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand that the annunciators may not have been working in the offices of Labour MPs, because most of them have not chosen to turn up today. Can that be investigated?

[Mr Speaker]

It does not need to be investigated at all. Unfortunately, it is not even a very good try at a bogus point of order; as the smile on the face of the hon. Gentleman readily testifies, it is a very substandard attempt.

Speaker’s Statement

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 21st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

I wish we were.

[Mr Speaker]

I cannot quite read the lips of the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant), but I think he is saying, “If only”. The hon. Lady must be heard.

Preparations for Leaving the EU

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Tuesday 8th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his documents and on his crisp and effective chairmanship of the daily XO—EU exit operations—committees. I notice that he talks about the environmental safeguards in great detail. Does he think, therefore, that the current desecration of Cubbington Wood by HS2, despite the moratorium, might be better controlled after Brexit?

[Mr Speaker]

The word “tangential” springs to mind.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 10th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

One sentence. Michael Fabricant.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

The 5G testbed in the west midlands is working with the car industry in Coventry and with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Will my right hon. Friend commend the work of the Mayor of the West Midlands, who brought the 5G testbed there, and visit the system?

European Council

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 25th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Since October, there has been extensive no-deal planning in the United Kingdom and the European Union. This has been acknowledged not only by those in the UK and the EU, but also by the Governor of the Bank of England. I therefore simply say to the Prime Minister: have faith in our officials. Let us try to get a deal by all means, but, if we cannot, let us not be frightened of no deal. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is a quite a lot of noise on the Opposition Benches. I assumed that the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) had been present throughout the statement.

[Michael Fabricant]

Yes.

[Mr Speaker]

In that case, the hon. Gentleman’s question is perfectly orderly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 13th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

This morning, right hon. and hon. Members and I were serving on a statutory instrument Committee. Along the Committee corridor, there are SI Committees almost every day, preparing not only for a deal-Brexit but for a no-deal Brexit. Can I tell my right hon. Friend that we are prepared, in my view?

[Mr Speaker]

Aren’t we? I think that is where the question mark comes.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 27th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Regardless of whether we have a no-deal Brexit, is my right hon. Friend aware—I am sure he probably is—that it is coming up to the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales? How can we employ, in that sense of the word, the Prince of Wales’s soft power and so on to promote Wales and the Welsh economy?

[Mr Speaker]

Irrespective of membership of or departure from the European Union, with which matter we would not want to involve him in any way.

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Tuesday 29th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think the hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton (Jim McMahon) may have inadvertently misled the House. He claimed that no one had said during the EU referendum that we would be leaving the customs union. In fact, the former Prime Minister said that—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Resume your seat, Mr Fabricant. I know you are trying to help the House and I appreciate that—your public spiritedness is well known throughout the House and across the nation—but the hon. Gentleman referred to a leaflet and the contents thereof. Whatever the merits or demerits of that argument, it is not a matter of order for the Chair. It is a matter of political debate, as your grinning countenance suggests you are well aware.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 19th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Giles Watling. Not here. [Hon. Members: “Ooh!”] Well, I hope the fella is not indisposed. We look forward to seeing him again. I call Michael Fabricant.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

I’m here!

[Mr Speaker]

Nobody doubted it for a moment. We always expect the hon. Gentleman to be here, and we can spot him a mile off.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to help improve the cyber-security of public and private sector organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Points of Order

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 19th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Yes. [Interruption.] Order. That is a very reasonable point of order. The answer is that I reiterate that I am happy to look at that evidence, if that evidence exists.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Oh, it does.

[Mr Speaker]

I do not need the hon. Gentleman to chunter—[Interruption.] I do not need the intervention of the hon. Gentleman, which does not advance matters. What I say to the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Dr Johnson), with courtesy, is that I have heard her point of order. I am willing to consider that evidence and I would come back on the matter, as advised by the Clerk, after the two statements to the House. That seems perfectly reasonable. We have two statements to follow. If the evidence exists, it can be looked at, and a response can be provided and we can take the matter from there, but it can perfectly reasonably wait and should sensibly do so until the two statements have been delivered to the House and questioning has taken place on them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

One sentence of fewer than 20 words.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Some 3,000 parents have signed a petition against King Edward VI School’s policy now of attracting students by catchment area, rather than by the 11-plus. What is my right hon. Friend’s view of the petition?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Tuesday 27th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

In France, where head lice are more common per capita than in the UK, people make good use of pharmacies, because it costs money to visit a general practitioner and because the state promotes the role of pharmacies. May I therefore ask the Minister why do we not advertise that we should be using pharmacies more often than not, instead of going to a GP?

[Mr Speaker]

Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with the matter of head lice. [Interruption.] It seemed to be slightly tangential, but never mind. The hon. Gentleman was at least attempting to shoehorn his preoccupation into the question, but I will err on the side of generosity. I know that he knows all about heads and all about hair—

[Michael Fabricant]

But not lice!

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Thursday 1st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Chris Bryant should resign.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) is not being asked by anybody else to resign. That is not going to happen.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 2nd July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

The hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands) talks about sanctions, but he will know that the regime is different. For example, under JSA if somebody who was due to come in for an interview does not contact us after five days, they fall out of the system and are not sanctioned. Under universal credit, however, we continue to pay all the elements—the child element and the housing element—but the sanction that they would face applies only to the standard allowance. The hon. Gentleman talks about wanting to help people, but the Scottish National party voted against £1.5 billion of support. If he wants to support people, he should try to support the Government from time to time.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant), from a sedentary position and rather gratuitously, offered advice and exhortation to the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands). I simply say to the hon. Member for Lichfield that we can always hear him with crystal clarity. He is in no danger of not being noticed.

[Michael Fabricant]

Thank you.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Enunciation from Lichfield—Mr Michael Fabricant.

[Michael Fabricant]

I will be very precise, Mr Speaker. Does my hon. Friend agree that the key to getting people out of poverty is work? Given that this Government have created 1,000 new jobs every single day since 2010, we have produced the key to unlock that door.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Could you explain it again?

[Mr Speaker]

I think that it is all perfectly clear, as the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) knows.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Never mind the House of Lords. When are we going to see this House reduced to 600?

[Mr Speaker]

It is all very well the hon. Gentleman breezily declaring, “Never mind about the House of Lords.” The question, inconveniently for him, is focused on the House of Lords. Generosity gets the better of me, however, and I am itching to hear the ministerial reply.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 13th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Michael Fabricant.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Diolch yn fawr, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Very good—well done!

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretaries of State for (a) Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and (b) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on promoting Wales as a tourist destination; and if he will make a statement.

[Michael Fabricant]

Whether it be the beautiful beaches of the Gower peninsula, on which I entice my hon. Friend to join me one day, the Clink restaurant in Cardiff prison, or whitewater rafting—I could go on and on—

[Mr Speaker]

But you won’t.

[Michael Fabricant]

But I won’t; does my hon. Friend agree that the tourism offer in south Wales will be enhanced by the removal of tolls on the Severn crossing?

Windrush

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 30th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

While it is always a pleasure to listen to the mellifluous tones of the hon. and learned Lady, who is a distinguished practitioner at the Scottish Bar, I hope I can be permitted gently to point out that she has nearly doubled her time allocation.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

She gets paid by the minute.

[Mr Speaker]

She does not get paid by the minute. [Laughter.] I remember one very distinguished lawyer in this place in the last Parliament who I rather fancy had been paid by the word.

UK Passport Contract

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 26th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

May I tell my hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Mr Rees-Mogg) not only that they make excellent paper down there, but that they make very good plastic notes at De La Rue? May I tell the Minister that my constituents feel that passports are already too expensive and that the last thing we should be doing is choosing a contractor that is not competitive. She is doing the right thing.

[Mr Speaker]

I think that that question was rhetorical. No more than a single sentence is required in reply, and not even that, if the Minister does not want to respond.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 12th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I have no wish to be unkind to the hon. Lady, but let me put it this way: we have had a dose from Bath, and by long-standing convention, a Member is not called twice on substantive questions. If the hon. Lady seeks to catch my eye during topical questions, she may be successful. I admire her persistence, but I hope she will understand that that is the way we operate.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

She is greedy.

[Mr Speaker]

No, no. The hon. Lady is not greedy; she is just keen.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Thursday 8th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant]

The Mayor of the West Midlands has cross-party local support in trying to attract the Channel 4 headquarters to the region. Will my right hon. Friend outline in more detail how he thinks—and, more important, when he thinks—Channel 4 will move?

[Mr Speaker]

But not in too much detail.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 31st January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We need to speed up a bit, because we have a lot of questions to get through. What we need now is pithy questions without excessively demonstrative behaviour.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

4. What progress has been made on the roll-out of high-speed broadband in rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Restoration and Renewal (Report of the Joint Committee)

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 31st January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

I fear it may be a point of frustration, or perhaps a point of attempted clarification, but nevertheless let’s hear the fella.

[Michael Fabricant]

I do not think it is frustration. I think my right hon. Friend may have misunderstood a point I made in my lengthy question. Is it not the case that we will not be able to choose from a number of options put forward by the delivery authority, but will have either to accept its recommendation or to start from square one, which would not be satisfactory?

[Mr Speaker]

That was really an intervention without permission masquerading as a point of order, but never mind—we have heard it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Tuesday 23rd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Michael Fabricant; get in there, man.

[Michael Fabricant]

I will!

My hon. Friend the Minister knows that 46% of prisoners have a literacy age of only 11. That proportion is three times the national average, which is still too high. Does he agree that that lack of literacy is often the reason why people go to prison in the first place? Will he explain in a bit more detail how we can reduce the illiteracy level so that we do not get reoffending?

[Mr Speaker]

Not too much detail.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Wednesday 6th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have a closed question from Mr Michael Fabricant.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Q5. What recent assessment she has made of the (a) economic performance and (b) level of provision of public services in the west midlands; and if she will make a statement.

Industrial Strategy

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Monday 27th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Just before we get under way, I remind the House that the subsequent business is very heavily subscribed. Secondly, I point out again to the House, as I did on Thursday, that there is a growing phenomenon, I am afraid, of Members turning up late for statements—that is to say, after the relevant Minister has begun the statement—and then expecting to be called. This is in defiance of very long-standing parliamentary convention. So, today, I am afraid, and there are some very capable and assiduous Members involved—no fewer than seven—I am going to say I will not call people who turned up late. Members have really got to get used to looking at the monitor and getting here in time, and if they do not, they lose out. So please do not come to the Chair and say, “Yes, but there is a special mitigating circumstance. I was responding to an email from a long-lost relative” or, alternatively, “I was feeding my budgerigar, and it couldn’t wait.” The answer is, those matters, if they arise, must be put second, and the Chamber first. We will await the contributions of those distinguished and illustrious Members on another occasion.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

After the unremitting negativity from Labour, may I say how enthusiastic my right hon. Friend has been—and rightly so—about advanced manufacturing, R and D, science and technology, and pharmaceuticals? What steps is he taking to increase productivity in a different sector that employs over 3 million people in the United Kingdom—tourism and hospitality?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Thursday 14th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

Of course, in 2021 we will be out of the European Union and we will have the Commonwealth games. May I thank my right hon. Friend for choosing Birmingham as the UK’s candidate to host those games? I hope that she will put pressure on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that he does what is needed. May I just say to you, Mr Speaker, to make it absolutely clear, that I will not be appearing on “Naked Attraction”?

[Mr Speaker]

Whether, if you were to do so, it would constitute a cultural industry is probably a divisible proposition in the House.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Thursday 20th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Oh, very well.

[Michael Fabricant]

On the subject of training, does my right hon. Friend not also think that training in human resources and personnel is important? She will know that the Dean of Peterborough, Charles Taylor, was sacked from that cathedral and given only 24 hours’ notice to leave the deanery. Does she think that that was not only unprofessional on the part of the chapter, but very unchristian?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and John Bercow

Thursday 29th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant]

Twitter is against my hair.

[Mr Speaker]

Unless I misheard him, the hon. Gentleman chuntered from a sedentary position that Twitter was against his hair—[Interruption.] And that that constitutes some sort of hate crime. I make that point for those who are interested and listening to our proceedings. Anyway, we are always interested in all matters appertaining to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant).