Functioning of Government

Debate between Rupa Huq and Michael Ellis

Thursday 7th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

The Government will continue to function, and I have spoken to the head of the civil service to that effect.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

The Independent reports that the PM and Tory Ministers resigning are entitled to £420,000 of severance pay. At the same time we have a Government gripped by paralysis and we have a cost of living crisis. Can the Minister confirm that they will be forfeiting their right to this, because we do not reward failure?

[Michael Ellis]

The matter that the hon. Lady refers to is set in statute, so it is a matter for the law, and that law would have been passed by this House.

Downing Street Christmas Parties Investigation

Debate between Rupa Huq and Michael Ellis

Thursday 9th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

The hon. Gentleman should wait for the scope of the investigation, which will be made clear in a document laid in the Library of the House later today.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

When, in early December last year, Kay Burley of Sky was busted for having a birthday party in then tier-2 London, she was contrite and accepted a six-month ban from the airwaves. In the interest of consistency, we saw a similarly distressed Allegra Stratton walk the plank yesterday. Will any male members of the Government or prominent public figures face a similar six-month ban? If not, why are women always the fall guys?

[Michael Ellis]

I do not recognise the hon. Lady’s characterisation of the matter. We have made it clear that there will be disciplinary action if the Cabinet Secretary uncovers any cause for such action.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rupa Huq and Michael Ellis

Thursday 23rd May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

Well, in school I played Sir Roderic Murgatroyd from Gilbert and Sullivan. I felt that I had to mention that.

The Government are currently considering the results of a consultation on strengthening the process for retaining national treasures. When an owner or foreign purchaser wishes to export a national treasure and does not accept the matching offer from a public body that has taken the trouble to raise the funds to purchase it, that will be taken into account when making a decision on the export licence application and a licence will normally be refused. However, the owner is not currently compelled to display the item. We are looking at that in greater detail at the moment through the consultation.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

12. What steps he has taken to protect access to public libraries.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Michael Ellis)]

Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. My Department monitors proposed changes to library service provisions by local authorities, and if DCMS receives a complaint that a council may be failing to meet its statutory duty, we challenge those councils and carefully consider the evidence before deciding if a local inquiry is needed.

[Dr Huq]

The Manic Street Preachers said “Libraries gave us power”, but since 2010, 230,000 library opening hours have been lost and 127 libraries in England have completely shut their doors. I have three under threat in my constituency. I listened to the Minister’s answer. What advice or assistance can he give Ealing Council, which is struggling to keep its statutory services going with a 64% cut from the Government, to keep these engines of social mobility alive?

[Michael Ellis]

I would ask Ealing Council, as with other councils, to look at local authorities that are investing in libraries. Local authorities around the country of every political hue are opening, expanding and developing libraries. The first reaction to those facing budgetary challenges ought not to be to cut cultural items, but to provide support for them, and other local authorities have proven that they can do it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rupa Huq and Michael Ellis

Thursday 1st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

My Department is working very hard on that matter. We have been pursuing it and we continue to do so.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

Tourism should not just be beaches and city breaks. The wonders of Ealing include our world famous studios of Ealing comedy and Downton fame, the basement blues club where the Stones first played, and the Questors theatre, the biggest am-dram venue in the world. They should all be linked together in a cultural quarter, but our council is cash-strapped in its provision of even the most basic services. The Minister mentioned the effect of Brexit on the number of overseas visitors. [Interruption.] So my question is—[Interruption.] I was building up to the question, Mr Speaker; thank you for reminding me. What are the Government doing to put suburbs on the tourist trail?

[Michael Ellis]

We want to support tourism around the country, and of course that includes Ealing. The hon. Lady mentioned Ealing Studios and the Ealing comedies—I think I have a box set actually—and the reality is that VisitBritain and VisitEngland support lots of programmes around the country. [Interruption.] Some of the comedians are on the Opposition Benches at the moment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rupa Huq and Michael Ellis

Thursday 21st June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Ellis]

Actually, huge investment—an unprecedented amount—has gone into the railways. Our tourism figures are up—they are up vastly on previous years—and they continue to rise, so I do not accept the premise of the hon. Lady’s question. We work very hard to encourage as much tourism as possible, including sports tourism.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to support live music venues.