Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Thursday 17th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Sticking to Sussex, I call Pat Glass.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State will no doubt have seen the “Panorama” programme that was broadcast on 7 November that highlighted the daily hell faced by passengers, especially those using Southern rail on the line mentioned by the hon. Member for Lewes (Maria Caulfield). Is he content that Southern rail customers are facing this commuting hell every day, or will he act to do something about it?

Parliamentary Sovereignty and EU Renegotiations

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Thursday 4th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass]

No.

This is largely a Tory party drama—a blue-on-blue issue—with very little relevance to the lives of ordinary people who are struggling to pay their rents and mortgages, and to get their kids to school. The Prime Minister has repeatedly given in to his own right wing, seeming not to understand that they will never be satisfied on these issues. In doing so, he has risked this country’s future prosperity, safety and place in the world.

I will not go over them in great detail, but there are many reasons for remaining part of the EU. There is the economic case and the environmental case, as well as issues involving this country’s future safety and security and our place in the world. The Labour party is committed to keeping Britain in the European Union, because we believe it is in the best interests of the British people. For us, it is simple: Britain is a stronger, safer and more prosperous country as part of the European Union.

The world is becoming more and more globalised. The problems that we face are complex and they need complex international responses. We cannot solve the problems of climate change, international terrorism, international crime, people trafficking or mass migration across the world on our own; we can tackle those issues only by working with our partners in Europe. We are part of NATO and the UN, as well as of other organisations across the world, which means that we have given up some of the things we used to do ourselves for the greater good, the safety and sometimes the prosperity of our country. I do not see a problem with any of that.

I will move quickly on to what should happen in the future. I want our sovereignty to be enhanced through seeking democratic reform that will make EU decision makers more accountable to its people and not so metaphorically and physically distant from our communities. I want economic reform that will put jobs and sustainable growth at the centre of European policy, and that will bring in labour market reforms to strengthen workers’ rights in a real social Europe. I believe that we enhance our sovereignty by negotiating with our EU partners for policies and agreements that benefit us as a country and improve the lives of our citizens.

Ultimately, the referendum will come down to a decision to remain or leave, and I believe that the people of this country will vote for the future and not for a past that only ever existed in the minds of the Eurosceptics on the Conservative Benches.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I should say to the Minister that I would like to call the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Baron) to wind up no later than 2.58 pm.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Tuesday 1st December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Unfortunately, the Chancellor’s excitement is of no interest to the Chair. What is of interest is pithiness and progress, and everybody ought to be able to grasp that point.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

T8. The Chancellor is a leading member of the Cabinet’s economic Sub-Committee that is considering airport expansion. The outcomes of that Committee are vital to growth in the north, and we were promised a response to it by Christmas. When can we expect that response?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Tuesday 10th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass]

Is the Attorney-General concerned that there is now a conflict, with the Solicitor-General allegedly involved in tax avoidance schemes? [Interruption.] Can he properly oversee the work of the Serious Fraud Office, given its role in prosecuting serious fraud and tax evasion? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I fear that, in so far as I could hear, the terms of the question did not engage with the question on the Order Paper. Therefore—forgive me—I do not think that it would be proper to ask for an answer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Thursday 20th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The exchanges are very protracted at the moment. I want to get through some more.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to encourage Ministers to make announcements to the House before their release to the media.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Wednesday 22nd January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

T3. How certain is the Minister that the TradeMark East Africa project is having—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I must appeal to the House—it really is the height of discourtesy. The hon. Lady wishes to be heard, I wish to hear her, and the Minister needs to hear her.

[Pat Glass]

How certain is the Minister that the TradeMark East Africa project is having a positive impact on poverty reduction?

Alcohol Strategy

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Friday 23rd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The two remaining Members who wish to ask a question could compete with each other to see which is the briefer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

Higher education applications in this country have collapsed, although not across the board—I think applications to Oxford, Cambridge and Durham have increased. However, in the universities that ordinary people go to, they have collapsed.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. With reference to the red tape challenge.

[Pat Glass]

I just wanted to ask a question about—

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Lady will have her opportunity another time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Monday 11th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I must say that as a quick learner, the Secretary of State is proving to be exemplary, and the House is grateful to him.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

Every head teacher and teacher I have spoken to dislikes and has enormous disrespect for the E-bac. I have not come across a single educationist who supports the Secretary of State. It is causing chaos at key stage 4 and in our schools. Is that what he meant by giving more power and autonomy to teachers?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Monday 7th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the Minister.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

Can the Minister tell the House what evidence—the operative word is “evidence”—supports his decision to limit the curriculum so severely and thereby exclude many thousands of young people from accessing the curriculum successfully?

Bank Bonuses

Debate between Pat Glass and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

The Chancellor has said several times that nothing is off the table if the banks do not conform to the code of practice. Can you explain to me and to people here today what exactly is on the table, and what you will do if they do not conform?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I will do nothing at all, but I think the Chancellor might.