All 2 Debates between Steve Barclay and Lord Benyon

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Barclay and Lord Benyon
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

(5 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
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As it happens, I will be at an event with NHS providers—chief execs—this evening, when I am sure that this will be one of a number of issues that we will discuss. The hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention to the very high private finance initiative costs that many trusts face due to contracts signed under the previous Labour Government. That is a real pressure faced by many trusts.

Lord Benyon Portrait Richard Benyon (Newbury) (Con)
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4. What the outcomes were of the October 2018 London global ministerial mental health summit.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Barclay and Lord Benyon
Thursday 12th May 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con)
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T2. The Department has spent many millions of pounds buying up some of our best farmland next to the Ouse washes to provide extra habitat for birds. The Littleport and Downham internal drainage board has expressed grave concern at the increased flooding risk to homes and other farmland. This action undermines food security and is not a good use of public funds at a time of austerity. Will the Minister agree to meet me and a local delegation to discuss that, and will his Department now publish a detailed assessment of the costs associated with it so that we can assess it properly?

Lord Benyon Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Richard Benyon)
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The short answer is yes. Our policies have to balance nature conservation against our commitment to food security. I want to know how established schemes that have been running for many years are working, and the development of the scheme that my hon. Friend talks about dates back almost a decade. I want to make sure that we are getting things right, so I appreciate his raising that point.