Point of Order

Debate between Richard Holden and Nusrat Ghani

Wednesday 29th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Yesterday, during Justice questions, the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, the hon. Member for Blaydon and Consett (Liz Twist), raised the subject of the Government’s response to the horrific attacks in Southport. The Government’s response was led by the Prime Minister at the time. May I seek your guidance on the question of PPSs of Prime Ministers and other Ministers raising issues that correspond directly with their Ministers’ areas of competence, and on what I can do to ensure that the Speaker’s Office provides further clarity for PPSs so that they do not inadvertently speak in the House about issues that they should not be raising? In this case in particular, given that the Prime Minister had faced particular criticism, some Members may have felt that his own PPS was trying to talk up his record in response to the situation.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I thank the right hon. Member for giving advance notice to the hon. Member for Blaydon and Consett and to the Chair that he wished to raise this matter about the ministerial code. He should note, however, that this is not a matter for the Chair.

Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords]

Debate between Richard Holden and Nusrat Ghani

2nd reading
Monday 16th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

This is a heavily oversubscribed debate and I want to get as many Back Benchers in as I can, so Back-Bench speeches will be limited to a hard stop at four minutes. I call Matt Rodda, who is going to show us how it is done beautifully—

[Mr Holden]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Mr. Holden, is this a crucial point of order related to the business taking place right now?

[Mr Holden]

Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Secretary of State had the opportunity today to make a declaration of interest, in having had football tickets worth £1,800 donated to him by Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, which also owns three quarters of Northumbrian Water. I just wonder whether he would like to make a quick declaration on the record.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I am not sure that it is a matter for the Chair to regulate Members’ declarations of interest. It is on public record, which is why the hon. Gentleman has been able to make that point on the Floor of the House, and no doubt it has been noted. Now, Mr. Rodda, you have four minutes. The floor is yours.

Point of Order

Debate between Richard Holden and Nusrat Ghani

Wednesday 13th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Richard Holden (Basildon and Billericay) (Con)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. During Prime Minister’s questions, the Prime Minister said that the Government had “not touched national insurance”, despite their having raised the rate of national insurance payable by 1.2% and reduced the threshold at which employers have to pay it. May I seek your guidance on what the Prime Minister can do to correct the record?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I think the right hon. Member knows that that is not a matter for the Chair, but I know that he takes this matter very seriously, and his point of order is on the record. Knowing him, he will no doubt pursue the matter via every process and procedure available to him.

Bills Presented

Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Angela Rayner, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Catherine McKinnell, Jim McMahon, Stephen Morgan and James Murray, presented a Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the introduction of higher non-domestic rating multipliers as regards large business hereditaments, and lower non-domestic rating multipliers as regards retail, hospitality and leisure hereditaments, in England and for the removal of charitable relief from non-domestic rates for private schools in England.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 129) with explanatory notes (Bill 129-EN).

National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, James Murray, Tulip Siddiq and Emma Reynolds, presented a Bill to make provision about secondary Class 1 contributions.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 131) with explanatory notes (Bill 131-EN).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Richard Holden and Nusrat Ghani

Tuesday 25th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Richard Holden (North West Durham) (Con)]

13. What steps he is taking to help secure the supply of rare minerals and metals for industry and business.

[The Minister for Science and Investment Security (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

The Government published the critical minerals strategy last summer, which sets out plans to accelerate the UK’s domestic capabilities, collaborate with international partners, and enhance international financial and trading markets. We are expecting to publish a delivery plan by the end of the year to refresh the strategy and ensure that we understand the global race for critical minerals.

[Mr Holden]

I thank the Minister for her response. Northern Lithium and Weardale Lithium in my constituency received more than £1 million from the Department for their work looking at lithium, which is vital for battery manufacture, including on Wearside at Nissan. Will she commit to ensuring that those projects are proceeded with at speed, so that we are not reliant on global factors, as we have been with oil and gas in recent years?

[Ms Ghani]

Once again, my hon. Friend is a staunch advocate for North West Durham and its businesses, particularly Weardale Lithium. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we have resilience and security of supply. The Government are committed to building domestic critical mineral supply chains and generating jobs and wealth across the UK—for example, by supporting lithium projects in County Durham via the automotive transformation fund. He has often spoken about China; resilience is key.