Points of Order
Debate between Roger Gale and Philippa Whitford
Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. As someone who spent 33 years on the frontline in the NHS, I am disappointed that I have not been able to contribute to this debate and highlight that actually the biggest challenge to all four NHSs and patient safety is protection of the workforce. That is because—
Mr Deputy Speaker
Order. This is an endeavour to extend the question time. I may be green as a Deputy Speaker but I am long in the tooth in the Chair. The Speaker has made it absolutely plain that hon. Members, on either side of the House, must be here at the start of the question session in order to participate.
Mr Deputy Speaker
The hon. Lady is fully aware that she was not here; she will take her seat please.
Dr Whitford
That was due to the change to the sitting for the previous business. Should we not have a bell warning for when sittings change?
Mr Deputy Speaker
Order. That is a matter that the hon. Lady may wish to raise with Mr Speaker, but it is not a question for me now.
Agenda for Change: NHS Pay Restraint
Debate between Roger Gale and Philippa Whitford(7 years, 3 months ago)
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Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Order. You cannot take one intervention following another intervention. I call the Minister to speak.
European Union Referendum Bill
Debate between Roger Gale and Philippa Whitford(8 years, 11 months ago)
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Dr Philippa Whitford
I, too, declare an interest, in that my husband is German. He has been here for 29 years, working as a general practitioner and paying tax, but he does not get to vote in elections to this House, which sets his rate of taxation, and he certainly did not get to vote for me.
Given the argument that the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Tom Tugendhat) is making, is there not a danger that this will become a very nationalistic debate? That accusation was thrown at the SNP when our nationalism was completely civic and open to everyone. Pursuing a genetic-source, where-were-you-born franchise is a dangerous argument to follow.
The Temporary Chair (Sir Roger Gale)
I remind the Committee that interventions are intended to be brief. [Interruption.] He’s finished? I’m terribly sorry; I thought that the hon. Lady was intervening.