Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 24th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Dr Coffey]

My hon. Friend is right to stress the importance of access to the internet, and to other mobile network operators. That is why the universal service obligation has been enshrined in law through the Digital Economy Bill, and will be in place by the end of this Parliament.

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, young Gove. Where is the fellow?

[Michael Gove (Surrey Heath) (Con)]

4. What steps she is taking to encourage innovation in the food and drink sector.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Andrea Leadsom)]

The Prime Minister has set out our vision for making the UK a world leader in innovation, which includes spending an extra £4.7 billion by 2020-21. Food and drink is our largest manufacturing sector—bigger than cars and aerospace combined. Our £160 million agri-tech strategy is taking forward brilliant ideas, such as monitoring crops using the latest satellite data.

[Mr Speaker]

It is an indescribable delight to see the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove). My surprise was merely at the fact that he has perambulated to a different part of the Chamber from that which he ordinarily inhabits. I am sure that we will enjoy the same eloquence as usual.

[Michael Gove]

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. As a migratory species, I am glad that you have noticed the different habitat that I am now in.

The Secretary of State will be aware that 80 years ago, the number of fish landed at British ports was 14 times the number we land now. The fishing industry has suffered grievously under the common fisheries policy. Now that we are leaving the European Union, can she say a little more about how investment, growth and innovation in the fish trade will ensure that we bring prosperity back to our great fishing ports?

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrea Leadsom]

I would be delighted to do that. We have some amazing products. We have taken gin out to the Chinese, which was a great experience, and just look at the beers from the UK that the Vietnamese are drinking already. We are seeing market access and greater exports, and just yesterday we saw the beers at the “Taste of Cheltenham” event. My right hon. Friend is right to highlight produce from his constituency and I would be delighted to share in a knees-up with him any time.

[Mr Speaker]

I have always thought of the right hon. Gentleman sitting and reading Proust, rather than having a knees-up, so one’s imagination is challenged a bit—but there you go, it is probably good for us.

[Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD)]

T6. Further to the question from the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (Ms Ahmed-Sheikh), may I argue the case for Wales and ask the Secretary of State what discussions she has had with Assembly Ministers on the case for post-2020 funding that both respects devolution and gives us a fair funding settlement for Welsh farmers?

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think the hon. Gentleman wishes to group this question with question 4, does he not?

[Sir Edward Leigh]

I do.

[Mr Speaker]

Very good. Well done.

[Sir Edward Leigh]

I apologise. I am not used to being a Minister. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

It does not show. “Honourable” is the hon. Gentleman’s middle name.

[Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

1. What assessment the National Audit Office has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on its work.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dame Caroline Spelman]

Some 23,000 services have been added to the website by more than 5,000 parishes. It might interest hon. Members to know that it has filters, so, for example, disabled parishioners can find out how easily they can access a church, and there is a filter for those who wish to know whether mince pies and mulled wine will be served. The social media campaign also includes a video in which Mr Speaker’s very own chaplain makes her important contribution under the hashtag #joytotheworld. I recommend that we all watch that.

[Mr Speaker]

That is very good news, because she is an excellent woman, as everybody in the House can testify, and, if I say so myself, a fine appointment by me.