Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 20th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I congratulate the students in his constituency and so many other students across the country on helping to ensure that our climate and environment emergency is at the heart of our decision making. We will put greening government and greening the whole country at the heart of our decision making in the forthcoming spending review.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

2. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on (a) promoting and (b) supporting UK food producers in marketing their produce overseas.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Gove and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Mike Wood? Not here. Well, we cannot conclude these proceedings without hearing from Mr Tom Pursglove.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

12. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions of the 125-year leases for developments between Forest Holidays and the Forestry Commission to protect the environment surrounding those developments.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

In response to concerns that have been raised about Forest Holidays, my Department has initiated a review of the governance and commercial arrangements for its management of its estate.

[Tom Pursglove]

Local people in Corby and East Northamptonshire feel strongly that Fineshade wood, which is stunning, tranquil and extremely well used, must be preserved for generations to come. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me, and representatives of the Friends of Fineshade, to discuss what can be done to ensure that Forest Holidays’ long-standing interest in the site finally comes to an end?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend represents some of the most attractive woodland in the country. Not just Fineshade wood but Rockingham forest make Corby and East Northamptonshire a place of pilgrimage for many who want seclusion and peace in a rural environment. I should be delighted to meet his constituents, and I think that his concerns are very well placed.

Saudi Penal System

Debate between Michael Gove and Tom Pursglove

Tuesday 13th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

That is a very important point, and the Foreign Office are in discussions with the Saudi Government about precisely that case.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

The Telegraph has reported in the last few minutes that the Foreign Office has been assured that the flogging will not be carried out. Can the Secretary of State clarify matters in that regard?

[Michael Gove]

It was always the case that our Foreign Office was seeking to ensure that no flogging would be carried out, and it is also important to stress that, understandably, press and media reporting of these events can sometimes be affected by strong emotional feelings, but it is also the case that even as these strong emotional feelings and powerful voices are raised, quietly and behind the scenes our diplomats and Foreign Ministers are working hard to safeguard the interests of British citizens, and we should be glad that the skills of our diplomats are being deployed in order to safeguard our citizens’ interests.