Points of Order

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Wednesday 26th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

That is an ingenious idea. I am not sure that if it were a divisible proposition before the House it would necessarily command a majority. I say that because I noticed some furrowed brows at the suggestion that we should start late. We often start late anyway because I am keen to ensure that Backbenchers have a full opportunity in the previous session. The hon. Gentleman is a discerning and observant fellow, and I feel sure that he will have noticed that I also often allow a full opportunity for Back Benchers in Prime Minister’s questions. Even if someone is a bit late for Prime Minister’s questions, there is a good chance that they will still witness a goodly proportion of them. I will reflect on the hon. Gentleman’s idea, but he should not ring me and I cannot guarantee to ring him.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am always troubled when I hear any allegation of bad faith in the Chamber, and today we heard an allegation that a Member has made a career out of lying. Would you please guide me on whether it is in order for Members to accuse others of lying?

[Mr Speaker]

I did not hear any allegation of dishonesty. I did not hear that. If there was an allegation of dishonesty, I did not hear it. I heard used another that I do not think was particularly tasteful but that I did not judge to be disorderly. What I would say to the hon. Gentleman—apart from that obviously I can rule only on that which I hear there and then, and there was a great deal of noise in the Chamber—is this: if there is to be an allegation of dishonesty against a Member, that allegation should be made on a substantive motion. That is the long-established procedure in the House and it should not otherwise be done.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Tuesday 9th April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Question 22 will probably not be reached. If the hon. Member for Witney (Robert Courts) were standing, I would call him, but he is not, so I will not—

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

But he does, so I shall—Mr Robert Courts.

[Robert Courts]

22. Mr Speaker, thank you very much. The scourge of late payments is a major problem for small businesses, as I know from my many small businesses in Witney, as a member of the Federation of Small Businesses and as the chairman of the all-party group on small and micro business. Is it not about time that we started celebrating those companies that support the small business supply chain by paying on time?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 25th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not forgotten, Mr Robert Courts.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

What steps are Ministers taking that will reassure the people of Witney and rural West Oxfordshire that their police have access to the funding and the numbers that they need?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 3rd December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, Mr Courts, we have not heard from you. Let us do so.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

What steps are Ministers taking to create an open and global immigration system?

Ukraine-Russia Relations

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Tuesday 27th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

What a rich choice—I call Mr Kevin Foster.

Business without Debate

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In the debate on the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary, I intended to draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests before I spoke. I am afraid it slipped my mind, but may I correct the record now?

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman has found his own salvation, and I think the House appreciates the promptness with which he has done so.

EU Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Advice

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Tuesday 13th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

I am grateful to the Minister for the commitment he just gave, but it sounded very similar to the compromise amendment that stands in my name on the Order Paper but has not been selected. Will he clarify that it is a full reasoned position statement laying out the Government’s political and legal position?

[Mr Speaker]

That was a cheeky endeavour on the part of the hon. Gentleman. We cannot debate the terms of an amendment that has not been selected, and the House will know that reasons are not given for non-selection; I had to make a judgment about how best the debate was served. It is rather cheeky, but I am sure that the Minister can deal with it dexterously.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Thursday 6th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Robert Courts.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

Will Ministers commit to working with providers so that when much-needed broadband and mobile upgrades are rolled out to rural areas, roads are properly repaired? Ideally, infrastructure should be put in verges.

Childhood Obesity Strategy: Chapter 2

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 25th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Witney (Robert Courts) is starting to resemble a runner who is literally itching to get out of the starting blocks.

[Robert Courts]

As the father of a two-year-old, I am increasingly concerned about the sedentary lifestyles that children lead. Will the Minister join me in praising Middle Barton, Great Rollright, Queen Emma’s, Clanfield and Stanton Harcourt primary schools in West Oxfordshire, which have signed up to the Daily Mile programme? Will he encourage others to do the same?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 12th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We have three remaining questioners if each of the three agrees to ask a single-sentence question not exceeding 20 words. I call Mr Robert Courts.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

I know that the Secretary of State is well aware of the requirement for infrastructure when new homes are built. What can he do to include broadband in that?

National Planning Policy Framework

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 5th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

What a choice between two illustrious denizens of the House. I call Mr Andrew Selous.

National Security Capability Review

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 15th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes) is of a notably literary turn, as is becoming increasingly apparent in the House. I expect that we will hear further expositions in due course.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

On Friday I visited Nos. 10 and 101 squadrons at Brize Norton in my constituency, and I could see how hard they were working. This morning my constituents were out providing tanking support for the Typhoons that were investigating the latest Russian reconnaissance. Does my right hon. Friend agree that now is the time when we need to match spending with the size of the threat, rather than scaling down our response to that threat in order to fall into line with spending?

Zimbabwe

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Wednesday 15th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

Zimbabwe a National Emergency—ZANE—is a wonderful charity based in Witney that provides much needed care to the people of Zimbabwe. Will my right hon. Friend please confirm that he will have any discussions necessary with the charitable sector to ensure that, during this period of political instability, much needed aid still gets through?

[Mr Speaker]

The charity is run by Tom Benyon, a splendid fellow and a former constituent of mine. He is a very fine man.

[Robert Courts]

And a former Member of Parliament.

Points of Order

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Wednesday 15th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her point of order, and for her characteristic courtesy in giving me advance notice of her intention to raise it.

There are two points. First, policy announcements, particularly when a change is involved, should first be made to the House. Secondly, my understanding is that there is a debate tomorrow in the Chamber that is being led by, or taking place under the auspices of, the Chair of the Select Committee on Work and Pensions. That debate will be an obvious and perfectly proper platform for an exchanges of ideas, and indeed for any announcement that the Government might have to make.

If there is an announcement to make, and I do not know whether there is, it should be made in the Chamber; it should not be briefed out to the media first. I very much hope that that has not happened, and it should not happen. I imagine that the hon. Lady or a member of her team will be present for tomorrow’s debate—in all likelihood she will be present—and I trust that she will make her views on that point and others with her characteristic force.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Martin Docherty-Hughes]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

I think we should save up the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes).

[Robert Courts]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. A number of concerns have recently been raised with you about the situation when a political party has not voted on a non-binding motion of this House. The Government have said they will respond to any such motion within 12 weeks. Well, last night the Opposition failed to vote on a meaningful motion with real, historic significance. Have you received any indication that the Opposition intend to follow the Government’s positive progress?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Thursday 26th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We very much hope that the Minister partook himself.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.

Export Licensing: High Court Judgment

Debate between Robert Courts and John Bercow

Monday 10th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Ilford South (Mike Gapes) does not look worried at all; he looks in a state of high contentment that the Secretary of State agrees with him. Anybody would think, as far as the hon. Gentleman was concerned, that Christmas had come early, but I suppose it is always rather good when people agree with one.

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend please tell the House whether, in his view, the High Court had before it all the information it needed to reach the judgment that has been handed down today?