Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 24th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

My experience is that whenever I listen to the Secretary of State, I feel not only entertained but improved. I am deeply grateful to him.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

A shrinking curriculum, larger class sizes, less student contact time and less student support are some of the effects of shrinking student funding for 16 to 18-year-olds. It is time to raise the rate. What order of priority is being given to speaking to the Treasury to ensure that that is done?

EU/British Citizens’ Rights

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 18th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

What a rum business—I did not see the feller standing before. I call Nic Dakin.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

When is this finally going to be sorted?

Health

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 14th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. There has been a lot of speculation today about British Steel, which employs 4,000 people in my constituency and across the country. It is a significant business. In the light of that speculation, while I recognise the sensitivities of the situation, have the Government given any notice of an intention to update the House about what is going on?

[Mr Speaker]

No. I have received no recent indication. If the hon. Gentleman has in mind the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, I should, in fairness, say that that right hon. Gentleman is a most solicitous member of the Government. From time to time, as he judges appropriate, he does come to see me to apprise me of matters of which he thinks I need to be aware, sometimes as a prelude to a ministerial statement. In this case, in recent days—that is to say, this week—I have received no such indication. The hon. Gentleman may wish to conduct his own private discussions or make inquiries about Government intentions. He may thereby be satisfied. If he is not, and on a different subject but, in the same way as the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley), he feels the Chamber has improperly been denied a chance to air the issue, he knows there is a recourse open to him.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 7th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Lloyd Russell-Moyle. Not here—where is the fella? I hope that he is not indisposed; that would be most unfortunate. Well, who is here? Nic Dakin is here.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The steel industry is confronted with the possibility that the trade defence instruments currently in place at European level to prevent Chinese dumping will not come forward at UK level. We also face having to compete against quotas to sell steel into the EU when we are outside the EU. What is the Secretary of State doing to make sure that that does not happen?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 13th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Well, that really is a quick and easy win for the hon. Gentleman. I have a feeling that it will appear in the Kettering media ere long.

I call Matt Western—not here. Where is the chappie? What is happening this morning?

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

17. What assessment his Department has made of the effect on (a) costs borne by partners, (b) magistracy diversity and (c) access to justice of the closure of family and magistrates courts.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

We are all now better informed.

[Nic Dakin]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Will she commit to doing an evaluation of the impact that the closure of Scunthorpe magistrates court and family court will have on the costs of other services and the diversity of the magistracy sitting in Humberside?

Universal Credit

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 5th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Ah! Two distinguished ornaments of the Opposition Whips Office—what a difficult choice! I call Mr Chris Elmore.

Business of the House

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 11th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

As we celebrate another fantastic Ryder cup win, it is appropriate to reflect on the role of Scunthorpe’s Tony Jacklin. At a time when the Ryder cup was going through difficulty, he was instrumental in rejuvenating the cup, as its most successful captain ever. As the only British golfer to win both the British and US Opens, his is surely the sort of achievement worthy of a knighthood. May we have a statement on how the nation can properly recognise Tony Jacklin’s contribution to golf and wider public life?

[Mr Speaker]

He is a great British sporting hero—I remember him from my childhood. If I may be permitted, let me say from the Chair: what a splendid inquiry.

Petitions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Wednesday 4th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

Mental health services are a very important part of the provision in north Lincolnshire. I pay tribute to Catherine Lydon and others who have helped to pull this petition together of many hundreds of people locally, who are concerned about the closure of Sandfield House, which provides important and effective mental health services to local people.

The Petition states:

The petition of residents of North Lincolnshire,

Declares that Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation were given notice to cease operating at the site of Sandfield House by North Lincolnshire Council; and further notes that the closure of the community resource would affect more than 1000 people who are being treated there.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to intervene with North Lincolnshire Council to stop the closure of Sandfield House.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

[P002167]

[Mr Speaker]

There are a number of petitions to be presented on home education: draft guidance and consultation. I hope that it will be of assistance to the House if I set out how we shall proceed. John Howell will present his petition in the usual way and bring it to the Clerk at the Table, who will read out the title. Subsequent Members should proceed directly to the petitions bag at the back of the Chair. I shall call the next Member immediately after the previous Member has finished speaking. I am advised, so I hope that this is correct—some people may be doing this for the first time; the Chair is your friendly assistant, here to help—that John Howell, Sir Oliver Heald, Laura Smith and Colleen Fletcher will read their petitions to the House in full. [Interruption.] The right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Dame Cheryl Gillan) looks positively horror-struck at the prospective denial of her opportunity to so expatiate. I was going to say, but I cannot be sure that things will turn out this way, that subsequent Members should give a brief description of the number and location of the petitioners and state that the petition is in the same terms. It is fairly obvious why I intend to proceed in this way—so that we can avoid an excessively protracted experience.

I call the hon. Member for Henley (John Howell) to present his petition, to which I know the Whip on duty will be listening most attentively and with intense interest.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 28th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Matt Rodda. Where is the fella? Not here. Oh well, Mr Dakin is here.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

What initial assessment have the Government made of the impact of steel tariffs on the UK industry? What support are the Government giving UK steel to mitigate the impact until the tariffs are removed?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 19th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is of the utmost importance that we are ready for the one-minute silence, so I shall take a brief inquiry from Mr Nic Dakin, and a brief reply.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

There are homeless people in the Scunthorpe area who present with mental health problems. What are the Government doing to ensure that proper mental health support is there for people who present as homeless?

Business of the House

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 14th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

As an Arsenal fan, I must say to the right hon. Gentleman that I hugely look forward to Harry Kane deploying his brilliance for England, much more than I ever look forward to him deploying his brilliance for Tottenham. He is a great player and a great representative of our country.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

My hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Melanie Onn) and I have been campaigning for the visa cap on doctors that is affecting recruitment to North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust to be lifted so that patients needing treatment can get it sooner rather than later. There is speculation that this change is about to happen. Will the Leader of the House confirm that the Government will come to this House shortly and announce that it is taking place?

Points of Order

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 6th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The whole point about this situation is that there is an urgency and a topicality associated with it. The reason why I granted the urgent question to the Foreign Secretary was precisely that I thought the matter warranted the urgent attention of the House today. There had been no offer of a Government statement, but I decided that a Minister should come to respond to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Tom Tugendhat). There is a police investigation into a particular set of circumstances, which will cause grave disquiet to colleagues —the incident, rather than the police investigation—and the matter is ongoing. If, in the days ahead, the hon. Gentleman wishes to assume his place in the Chamber, there will be an opportunity for him to put questions. If the situation were to prove as bad as some fear, I have no doubt that a Minister would volunteer a statement. If, however, such a statement is not volunteered when it is warranted, the use of the urgent question is now very commonplace. On my recollection, since I took the Chair of this House, we have had 441 urgent questions over the past eight and a half years. The hon. Gentleman should not despair. He need not fear that his legitimate concerns will not have a chance to be aired in this Chamber, for they will have such a chance. I hope that that will satisfy the hon. Gentleman, at least for now.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I rise to draw attention to the fact that at the end of last week the US Administration gave notice of potential punitive tariffs—about 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium. Since then, they have suggested that there will be further punitive action against car imports. I am surprised, Mr Speaker, that we have not already had a statement from a Minister about trade policy and the trade action that the UK Government are taking. I seek your guidance on whether you have been given notice that one will be forthcoming.

[Mr Speaker]

I have been given no indication that a statement on the matter is forthcoming. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is with us in the Chamber, and he will have heard what the hon. Gentleman has said. I think it is fair to say—I make this point for the benefit of those who were not present yesterday during the Prime Minister’s statement but who are listening to our proceedings—that the matter was touched upon in the course of the questioning of the Prime Minister. However, that is very different from a full-blooded treatment of what is a very important discrete issue in and of itself. If the issue remains urgent in the mind of the hon. Gentleman and is objectively urgent, it may well have an opportunity to be aired in the course of this week.

Bills Presented

Hospital Patients (Transport)

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Tim Farron, supported by Tom Brake, Layla Moran, Stephen Lloyd, Norman Lamb, Grahame Morris and Gillian Keegan, presented a Bill to make provision about transport services for patients travelling to and from hospital appointments, including requiring the Government to review the current provision of public and private transport services for such purposes; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 6 July 2018, and to be printed (Bill 173).

Voyeurism (Offences)

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Wera Hobhouse, supported by Sir Vince Cable, Jo Swinson, Christine Jardine, Layla Moran, Caroline Lucas, Anna Soubry, Jeremy Lefroy, Catherine West, Grahame Morris, Tonia Antoniazzi and Ben Lake, presented a Bill to make certain acts of voyeurism an offence.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 11 May 2018, and to be printed (Bill 174).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 5th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the Minister for his replay.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

3. What assessment she has made of the effect on employment and support allowance claimants’ income of changes to support for mortgage interest.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 11th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

One Member of the House is so keen to demonstrate her commitment to equality that she is wearing what I will call a rainbow pullover, with the rainbow symbol of equality. I am referring to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mary Creagh), to whose contribution we look forward with eager anticipation.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

Sixth form colleges are well recognised for their role in delivering social mobility, yet that is now at risk with an underfunding of £1,200 per student, compared with 11 to 16 funding. Will the Secretary of State act to address this before it is too late?

Teachers Strike

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 5th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State to make a statement on today’s teachers strike and its impact on children, parents and school communities.

Let me first declare my interest as a retired NUT member. Not only have we had the first junior doctors strike on this Government’s watch, but today we have failure in another public service, with a teachers strike. Sadly, this Government have relished attacking—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not wish to disrupt the flow of the hon. Gentleman’s eloquence or the eloquence of his flow, but at this point all he needs to do is ask his urgent question. His more detailed supplementary will come after he has heard what the Minister has to say, in which I am sure he is extremely interested.

[The Minister for Schools (Mr Nick Gibb)]

There is absolutely no justification for this strike. The National Union of Teachers asked for talks, and we are having talks. Since May, the Department for Education has been engaged in a new programme of talks with the major teaching unions, including the NUT, focused on all the concerns raised during the strike. Even before then we were engaged in round-table discussions with the trade unions, and both the Secretary of State and I meet the trade union leaders regularly to discuss their concerns.

This strike is politically motivated and has nothing to do with raising standards in education. In the words of Deborah Lawson, the general secretary of the non-striking teacher union Voice, today’s strike is a

“futile and politically motivated gesture”.

Kevin Courtney, the acting general secretary of the NUT, made it clear in his letter to the Secretary of State on 28 June that the strike was about school funding and teacher pay and conditions, yet this year’s school budget is greater than in any previous year, at £40 billion—some £4 billion higher than 2011-12. At a time when other areas of public spending have been significantly reduced, the Government have shown our commitment to education by protecting school spending.

We want to work with the profession and with the teacher unions, and we have been doing that successfully in our joint endeavour to reduce unnecessary teacher workload. With 15,000 more teachers in the profession than in 2010, teaching remains one of the most popular and attractive professions in which to work. The industrial action by the NUT is pointless, but it is far from inconsequential. It disrupts children’s education, inconveniences parents, and damages the profession’s reputation in the eyes of the public, but our analysis shows that because of the dedication of the vast majority of teachers and headteachers, seven out of eight schools are refusing to close.

Our school workforce is and must remain a respected profession suitable for the 21st century, but this action is seeking to take the profession back in public perception to the tired and dated disputes of the 20th century. More importantly, this strike does not have a democratic mandate from a majority even of NUT members. It is based on a ballot for which the turnout was just 24.5%, representing less than 10% of the total teacher workforce.

Our ground-breaking education reforms are improving pupil outcomes, challenging low expectations and poor pupil behaviour in schools, and increasing the prestige of the teaching profession. This anachronistic and unnecessary strike is a march back into a past that nobody wants our schools to revisit.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 5th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The Minister is a veritable mine of information, is he not? We are deeply obliged to him, as I dare say the constituent of the hon. Member for Corby (Tom Pursglove) will be, to boot.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

12. What recent assessment she has made of the potential effect on the agricultural sector of the UK leaving the European Union.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 25th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Question 9 has just been withdrawn, although the Attorney General was not to know that, and I thank him for announcing the grouping.

[Nic Dakin]

Will the Attorney General list which of the convention rights currently enshrined in the Human Rights Act he plans to repeal?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 23rd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I wish we had more time, but I am afraid we do not. I call Nic Dakin.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

11. By what date he expects to have set a timetable for overseas territories with financial centres to adopt central registers of beneficial ownership or similarly effective systems.

Steel Sector

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 18th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The Minister has just invited us to believe that Europe offers an equivalent to her. You learn something new every day. Scunthorpe was mentioned, so let us hear from the fella. I call Mr Nic Dakin.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

It is strange that Redcar did not meet the criteria for exceptional growth funds, but I am pleased the Minister has indicated that they will be used to assist the Greybull Capital interest in long products. The Foreign Secretary stood at that Dispatch Box and said that the Government will judge market economy status through “the prism of steel”. Will the Minister confirm that there will be no drawing back from that position?

Transpeople (Prisons)

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Friday 20th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

There are a couple of points to be made in response to what the hon. Gentleman has just said. First, the use of pejorative comments is not a novel phenomenon in the House of Commons. The hon. Gentleman need not sound quite so shocked, or display his offended sensibilities, at the notion that a right hon. or hon. Member has indulged in that practice.

The hon. Gentleman’s second point may well be helpful to the House as a whole, but I hope he will not take it amiss if I say that it had already penetrated the recesses of what passes for my brain. [Laughter.] In short, I was myself aware of that fact, simply because I have had the rather fortunate vantage point of the Speaker’s Chair since June 2009.

I do not have the statistical analysis in front of me, but I can confirm that, first, it is commonplace for a shadow Secretary of State’s opposite number to come along, and secondly, it is also commonplace for another Minister to do so. Quite what the stats show I do not know, but if the hon. Member for Lewisham East (Heidi Alexander) is interested in the analysis, I dare say that—no state secret is involved—it could be supplied to her or to any other Member when it has been completed.

Finally, let me say that a certain amount of speculation is taking place in the Chamber on the precise whereabouts of the Secretary of State. I do not know, I have not inquired, it does not greatly concern me, and it is not a matter for the Chair; but I hope that, whatever he is doing, he is enjoying himself.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During Wednesday’s Opposition day debate, the Secretary of State for Education may have inadvertently misled the House when she said that the last Labour Government had once funded courses in balloon artistry. A thorough investigation conducted by FE Week has previously demonstrated that when the same claim was made by a former Skills Minister, it was simply made up. Can you advise me, Mr Speaker, on how best the Secretary of State can correct the record?

[Mr Speaker]

If anyone has given incorrect information to the House and comes to be aware of that fact, it is incumbent upon the Member to correct the record. That is an obligation that applies both to Back Benchers and to those who serve on the Front Bench, whether as Ministers or shadow Ministers. I must congratulate Members on their dexterity in raising their points of order. I have tried to give fair-minded responses. It is not for me to take sides in these matters but the points are on the record.

Delegated Legislation

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 21st July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I wish to draw this House’s attention to a vote in the other place, of 320 to 139, in favour of setting up a Committee of both Houses to examine the issue of English votes for English laws. I hope that the Government will look at this matter, in the interest of going forward in a cross-party way, before they come back with new proposals in the autumn.

[Mr Speaker]

Of course, in common with most attempted points of order, this is a not a matter for the Chair. That said, I can confirm that the House of Lords has communicated by message that it has resolved that a Joint Committee should be appointed to consider the Government’s proposals on English votes for English laws, a resolution to which it desires the agreement of the Commons. This message will be printed in the Votes and Proceedings in the usual way. There is nothing for me to add at this stage, except to say that the hon. Gentleman looks duly satisfied that he has made his point and it is on the record.

On a point of order, I call the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Mr Barry Sheerman is not here. I call Mr Nic Dakin.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

4. What progress has been made on investigations into the alleged misuse of public money by private providers holding contracts with his Department.

Local Government Finance

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Wednesday 18th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I have to say politely to the hon. Gentleman that I have struggled to find the question mark at the end of his observation. Perhaps he was asking a rhetorical question. If the Minister wants to reply, he is welcome to do so, but he is under no obligation. No? Fair enough.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

The Minister says that this is a really good day for local government, following previous good settlements. Will he explain why 64 Conservative councils have refused the offer of a freeze and are putting up their council tax?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 12th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mark Menzies. Not here.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

12. How her Department measures the success of steps taken to reduce the number of nuisance telephone calls.

Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 4th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I listened patiently to the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Graham Evans), but it was difficult to detect anything in his scripted question that appertained to the policy of the Government. I have exercised my natural tolerance on this occasion, but I trust that the hon. Gentleman will not push his luck in future. Questions must be about the policies of the Government, not those of the Opposition.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

How many people under TPIMs does the Home Secretary need to lose before she reviews the policy of relocation?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 14th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The preservation of his good humour on the part of the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff) is remarkable in the circumstances.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

May I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet me and the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) to discuss the future of the Kirton in Lindsey base? Does he agree that where communities have had long-standing historic relationships with the military in their area, it is crucial that the Ministry of Defence has proper discussions about the future?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 20th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have already heard from the hon. Gentleman in substantive questions and it is not long before we will have the delight—I hope—of hearing from him again in topical questions. Members cannot, I am afraid, have two goes at substantives. One can almost have too much of a good thing.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I think on the strength of that answer there is plenty of scope for an Adjournment debate in which, no doubt, we will hear about the Nordic nostrums and views about neanderthals from the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), who was scarcely able to contain himself a moment ago.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

T6. Sadly, people can be vulnerable to getting a Christmas debt hangover. The National Audit Office reported this week that debt management companies are making £0.3 billion a year. Will the Government take robust action in the new year to regulate debt management companies?

European Council

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 22nd October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I remind the House and the Prime Minister that I do not have any policy on these matters, so I would be very grateful if he did not involve me in this exchange. Secondly, I gently and politely make the point that we are here to talk about the policies of the Government.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

Talking about mates, which parties from Latvia did the Prime Minister meet at the Council?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

And it may not. The hon. Lady has got her point on the record, but it requires no answer. [Laughter.] I am glad that the House is in such a good mood.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

7. If he will assess the effect on the cost of prosecutions of delays caused by the absence of an interpreter.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Wednesday 16th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There are a lot of private conversations taking place in the Chamber. I remind the House that we are discussing the extremely serious matter of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

[Nic Dakin]

Given that the bomb in Newry was twice the size of the one responsible for the atrocity in Omagh, can the Secretary of State assure the House that the police and other services have all the resources necessary to maintain safety and security in Northern Ireland?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 21st February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I remind Members on both sides of the House—Back and Front Benchers alike—that topical questions and answers must be brief.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Monday 11th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is much better when the hon. Gentleman addresses the House. We always look forward to that.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

It appears that the 16 to 19 funding consultation for 2013-14 will not be published until September at the earliest. Will the Secretary of State take steps to ensure that that does not delay the publication of information about the 2012-13 budgets for schools and colleges?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Nic Dakin]

The White Paper suggests retaining legal aid only for cases in which homes are at risk, but all housing cases carry the risk of homelessness if an early intervention is not made. A representative from a legal practice that currently gives advice to 350 people a year in the Scunthorpe area told me yesterday that most clients are referred to it by the citizens advice bureaux and the wider voluntary sector.

Right now, those agencies do not have the capacity to give appropriate support, and given that funding is being withdrawn by the state and local authorities, the system itself is in imminent threat of collapse. Does the Minister agree that if the proposals go ahead without significant additional money being invested in the voluntary sector, necessary early intervention will not take place, leading to higher levels of homelessness at a significantly higher cost—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think we got the gist of it.

Business of the House

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and John Bercow

Thursday 4th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

No. Okay, we move on.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

I wish to return to the education maintenance allowance, which my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) mentioned. As recently as June, the Minister with responsibility for schools reiterated the coalition Government’s commitment to the EMA, but we now see that that commitment was as hollow as a Liberal Democrat pledge. Will the Leader of the House arrange for a statement on the equalities impact assessment of the withdrawal of the EMA?