Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Dowd Excerpts

Wednesday 14th December 2016 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab)]

Q1. If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 14 December.

[The Prime Minister (Mrs Theresa May)]

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I will have further such meetings later today.

[Peter Dowd]

May I take the opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, and all Members of the House a merry Christmas and a happy new year?

In the light of the Foreign Secretary’s display of chronic “foot in mouth” disease, when deciding on Cabinet positions, does the Prime Minister now regret that pencilling “FO” against his name should have been an instruction, not a job offer?

[The Prime Minister]

rose—

European Council

Peter Dowd Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is very persistent and quite convincing. I have just written him a letter to say that, in all our communications with Arab states and partners that use the terminology “Daesh”, we also now use the terminology “Daesh”. Clearly, that now involves the European Union as well. I am comfortable that we should never say “Islamic State” or “IS”, because I think that confers some legitimacy on them, but I think that if we use “so-called” or, indeed, the term “ISIL”, it is clear what we are referring to.

[Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab)]

On the Prime Minister’s elliptical statement on renegotiation, what particular regulations and red tape does he envisage need be cut to ensure enhanced competitiveness, as he is in danger of sounding a bit vague and of outlining more of a wish list than a to-do list?

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Dowd Excerpts

Wednesday 10th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, Mr Peter Dowd.

[Peter Dowd (Bootle) (Lab)]

Q15. Last week, the High Court ruled that severe delays in assessing disabled people for benefits were unlawful. Given that, will the Prime Minister personally take charge to ensure that these distressing delays do not happen again?

[The Prime Minister]

First, let me welcome the hon. Gentleman to this place. He is absolutely right to raise this issue. Some of the delays have been unacceptably long for people getting their new benefits, particularly when we are transitioning from disability living allowance to personal independence payments. Those delays are coming down, and I give him my assurance that we will keep on this and make sure that the delays come down still further.