Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Thursday 21st February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

Yes, yes, and I yield to no one in my admiration for Wales.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

A lot of food is destroyed before it even lands on the supermarket shelves. Carrots are not straight enough, tomatoes are not round enough. What is my right hon. Friend doing to promote wonky veg, which is just as beautiful and nutritious on the inside, even if it is not visually appealing?

[Michael Gove]

Since my hon. Friend and I were at college together, both of us have been champions of wonky veg, and indeed other unconventional foodstuffs, and he is absolutely right: when it comes to food, the search for symmetry and for perfection is vain and, if the House will excuse the pun, fruitless. The true joy of food comes in appreciating the diversity of British food producers and the way in which wonky veg—or even, sometimes, unconventional cuts of meat—can be a source of great nutrition. In that respect, Mr Speaker, may I say that even though it is awful, sometimes it is a good thing to indulge in tripe?

--- Later in debate ---

[Tom Brake]

Again, I completely fail to detect a question there for me. However, I am sure SNP Members will have noted the suggestion that they should work closely with the Conservative Government in the Division Lobby.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

6. What the annual cost is of running the escalators from the underground car park.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington)]

The maximum annual energy cost of running the escalator has been calculated as £2,820, including VAT.

[Mr Hollobone]

This escalator is running all the time yet, compared with the escalator between the main estate and Portcullis House, it is used relatively infrequently. Would it be possible to install a button so that it operates only when required?

[Tom Brake]

It may be that the hon. Gentleman does not burn the midnight oil and therefore may not be aware that, in fact, the escalator is switched off manually by engineers control between midnight and 6 am on sitting days and between 6 pm and 6 am during recess. He will be pleased to hear that the escalator is also switched off at the weekend. It is also fitted with sensors that slow down the motor when it has not been used in the previous few minutes.