Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Clegg and Valerie Vaz

Tuesday 15th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

What discussions has the Deputy Prime Minister had with the Justice Secretary about his recent announcement that he is going to repeal the Human Rights Act as early as next year?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

There will be no repeal of the Human Rights Act during the course of this Parliament under this coalition Government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Clegg and Valerie Vaz

Wednesday 7th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

Marine renewable energy is clearly an area where the south-west has a natural advantage, and is one of the many areas of renewable energy that is reflected in our diverse approach to renewable energy generation. We have to wean ourselves off an over-reliance on one kind of energy generation, and spread our bets more fairly and sustainably in the future.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

Q6. Not only is it Obama day, but national adoption week. My ten-minute rule Bill in the previous Session called for equalising statutory rights for leave, pay and allowances between adoptive parents and parents whose children are born to them. That can be done by regulations, so will the Deputy Prime Minister ask a Minister or two to meet me to eliminate that unfairness?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Clegg and Valerie Vaz

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

Absolutely. Let us remember that the point of this measure, and the reason why both parties on the Government Benches agreed to put it in the coalition agreement and to accelerate the process started under the previous Government is to bear down on fraud on the electoral register. I hope that all Members from all parts of the House think that we need to stamp on that.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

2. What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on constitutional reform of the introduction of a British Bill of Rights.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Clegg and Valerie Vaz

Tuesday 20th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

It is a relief to be asked a question by my hon. Friend that is, for once, not related to the demise of his party leader. My hon. Friend is quite right to say that the Bill, given its importance, should be given adequate time. That is precisely what we will provide for it.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

T14. The Deputy Prime Minister is clearly at the heart of Government. Has he seen a copy of the legal advice on whether competition law applies to the Health and Social Care Bill, and the transition risk register, and will he publish it?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

The reasons why we are withholding publication of the risk register are precisely the same as the reasons why the Labour Government withheld their consent for publication on three occasions—[Hon. Members: “Have you seen it?”] Yes, I have seen the risk register. As the hon. Lady knows, it is a very important tool to allow civil servants to give frank and fearless advice to Ministers. As champions of freedom of information such as The Guardian and The Independent have said, publishing the register would inhibit civil servants from providing such frank and fearless advice to Ministers in future.