Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Henry Smith

Monday 16th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

I am more than happy to meet my hon. Friend. There are measures in the Bill to try to address build-out rates, which are an important element that we have to tackle. Under the Bill, it will be necessary to supply the local authority with a commencement notice, an agreement on the number of houses that will be built each year and a completion notice. We are absolutely on this, and I assure my hon. Friend that we will do everything we can to ensure that the houses that have got permission are built.

[Henry Smith]

I welcome the Government’s reform of the planning system, but Homes England proposes the development of up to 10,000 houses on flood-prone green fields to the west of Ifield, just outside my constituency. That will put unacceptable pressure on local infrastructure, and although local people in my constituency will be most affected, they have no say over it. How will these planning proposals allow the people of Crawley to say no to the West of Ifield development?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Henry Smith

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to support civilian authorities to tackle illegal drone use at and around UK airports.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Stuart Andrew)]

The Ministry of Defence rapidly deployed counter-unmanned air systems capability in support of Sussex police and the Metropolitan police, both at Gatwick and at Heathrow. We are working with colleagues in the Department for Transport and across the Government, and will continue to do so.

[Henry Smith]

I would like to convey the sincere thanks of the Gatwick management to the Ministry of Defence for its swift action last month during the drone incursion, and I can confirm that they have now bought a very similar system for future use. May I have an assurance that the MOD remains on standby to assist civilian airfields in these situations?

[Stuart Andrew]

I join my hon. Friend in thanking the RAF for its work. It worked incredibly quickly to get to both Gatwick and Heathrow. Of course, our armed forces are always ready to respond, should they need to, but it should be said that responsibility for drone activity at civilian airports lies with the airport operators.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Henry Smith

Tuesday 24th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con)]

2. What progress he has made on further devolution in England.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

5. What progress he has made on further devolution in England.

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark)]

This Government have a proud record of devolving power from central Government to the cities, towns and counties of this country: we passed the Localism Act 2011; we have initiated and negotiated 28 city deals; we are devolving at least £12 billion of central resources to local places through growth deals; and, with the Greater Manchester agreement, and agreements with other cities to follow, there is now unstoppable momentum to continue that success.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Henry Smith

Thursday 10th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con)]

7. What steps he is taking to mitigate the effects of high oil prices on energy consumers.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to mitigate the effects of high oil prices on energy consumers.