Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 22nd March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

We are strong supporters of the other indigenous languages of the UK. We have strongly supported the Welsh-language channel S4C. However, I am keen to see what more we can do to support the Gaelic language, and I look forward to meeting the hon. Lady’s colleagues to discuss how we can make that work.

[Mr Speaker]

I know that—exceptionally—the shadow Secretary of State would like to echo the tributes articulated by the Secretary of State.

[Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab)]

You are very kind, Mr Speaker. I would like to associate myself and the Labour party with the Secretary of State’s tributes, particularly to the very brave PC Keith Palmer, who gave his life protecting us in this place, and the five others who died in that terrible attack a year ago today.

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[Tracey Crouch]

There can never be enough women’s sport broadcast on TV, and I would always encourage more women’s sport to be on TV. May I take this opportunity to congratulate Manchester United football club, which has finally dragged itself into the 21st century and announced that it will have a women’s football team?

[Mr Speaker]

They are light years behind Arsenal.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

While thinking of the victims of the terrorist outrage last year, all of us on these Benches hope that the families of those who were tragically killed have been looked after.

Can the sports Minister assure us that there will be coverage of the World cup, and will she give an honest answer to this question: does she believe that what the Foreign Secretary said to a Select Committee the other day is good advice?

[Mr Speaker]

Needless to say, all the Minister’s answers are honest; whether they satisfy the palate of the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) is uncertain, but they are all honest.

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

Ealing uniquely boasts—

[Mr Speaker]

Question 10.

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

10. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on arrangements for UK musicians to tour the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

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

I understand that my predecessor went to Newquay and did some bodyboarding, but I cannot guarantee the same activity from this Minister for tourism. All local authorities should think carefully about the impact of parking penalties on tourism generally.

[Mr Speaker]

We are deeply grateful to the Minister.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

York—the second most visited city in the country—is a centre of tourism for visitors from across England. However, the hotel and hospitality sector is really struggling to recruit staff, given the European situation. What is the Minister doing on recruitment and retaining skills in the sector?

[Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con)]

The Secretary of State and the Minister will probably be bored of me lobbying them about the Bradford Odeon being a recipient of the northern cultural regeneration fund but, if I may, I will test their patience once more. The project has widespread support across the Leeds city region and among many people in the cultural sector, and it will do a massive amount to regenerate the Bradford district, so can the Bradford Odeon be a recipient of the fund?

[Mr Speaker]

I do not want the hon. Gentleman suddenly to develop self-effacement, with which he has not traditionally been identified. I have been in the House with him for 13 years and I can honestly say that he has done many things, but he has never, ever bored me.

[Matt Hancock]

Nobody has done more to make the case for the rejuvenation of the Bradford Odeon than my hon. Friend. The Odeon has applied to our fund for support for its rejuvenation, right in the heart of Bradford, and this man has put his heart and soul into the campaign. We will be announcing the results very soon. I cannot tell him the answer today, but I have a smile on my face.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) may never know—the Secretary of State might one day want his vote.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

What help has the Secretary of State’s Department given to Coventry to promote itself as city of culture?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, colleagues. Demand is huge, but we are now way over time. We must move on.

The Attorney General was asked—

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[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to get down the Order Paper, so I will take each of the two hon. Members on condition that they give a short sentence each, not two, three, or four sentences.

[Mr Sheerman]

What is the Attorney General going to do about the horrendous breach of cyber-security by Cambridge Analytica, and who are the right people to prosecute?

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[The Attorney General]

I fear that that needs more than a one-sentence answer. The hon. Gentleman will recognise that it is certainly a responsibility not just of the Government, but of each of us, to ensure that data on organisations and individuals is as well protected as it can be.

[Mr Speaker]

Extreme brevity is now required.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

6. What steps the CPS is taking domestically and internationally to increase the effectiveness of prosecutions in cases involving modern slavery.

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[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is right to talk about the invaluable role played by disability support groups. Third-party reporting, where people with disabilities can have the confidence to report a crime, is invaluable. My advice would be for them to work with the police to make sure that we drive up rates of reporting and the number of prosecutions.

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least—and never forgotten—I call Priti Patel.

[Priti Patel (Witham) (Con)]

11. What steps the CPS is taking to support victims of crime.