Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Monday 10th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Very, very brief questions because we cannot keep people waiting indefinitely.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

Scotland had a 10-year strategy to develop a public health approach to tackle violence, although people in Scotland would argue that it should have been a 15 or 20-year strategy. Will the Government show us how serious they are about taking a public health approach to this issue by committing to a 20-year strategy from the start?

Points of Order

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 21st March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your advice. The Government are supposed to be tackling violence with a public health approach, so I was astonished when my question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking what progress his Department has made on the implementation of a public health approach to tackling violence was transferred to the Home Office for a written response. My question was genuinely meant for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, as I am keen to know whether he endorses a public health approach and what action his Department is taking. The public health approach can be successful only if it is genuinely adopted across the whole of Government.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Lady has done me the great courtesy of telling me in advance that she wished to raise that matter on a point of order. The short answer, but it is not the only answer, is that it is for Government to decide the Minister and Department answering a question—that is to say, the matter of transfer from one Department to another is within the exclusive cognisance of Ministers. That said, if it is the clear and explicit wish of the hon. Lady to explore the issue from the vantage point that she has described, I think it would be helpful if the Department of Health and Social Care respected that.

The hon. Lady may find that a direct approach to a Health Minister—a private chat over a cup of tea or on the telephone—would help. If that does not avail her, or if she prefers another approach, I suggest that she goes to the Table Office to explore the options, where the brilliant and dedicated staff will seek to help her. She will not be surprised to know that this is not an unprecedented situation—there have been many such examples over the years—but if she follows my usual advice, which is to persist, I think she will find a way through the thicket.

Business of the House

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 14th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. In reiterating my plea for brevity, I gently point out to colleagues that if they now ask long questions, they do so in the full knowledge that they will be stopping other colleagues taking part.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

Will the Home Secretary be there for the debate on serious violence?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Monday 4th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

On the matter of birthdays, it is also the birthday of the hon. Member for Coventry South (Mr Cunningham), and I see that he is seated next to another birthday boy, the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Alex Norris), which is very encouraging—birthday boys sitting together.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

T10. In response to my recent Adjournment debate on the relationship between exclusions and youth violence, the Minister for School Standards failed to address how the Government’s strategy links to the vital role that education plays in the public health approach. My hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Helen Hayes) just asked a similar question, which was also not answered. I have since sent the Minister a copy of the Youth Violence Commission’s report. Has he read it, and if so, can he update us on what he will do?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Monday 16th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am sure that that is greatly reassuring for the hon. Gentleman.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

This Wednesday, the Youth Violence Commission will publish its interim policy report. Last year, knife crime increased by 22% and, in London, we have had another tragic spate of stabbings over the weekend. We must urgently seek long-term solutions. Will the Secretary of State commit to engaging with the recommendations of the cross-party Youth Violence Commission?

Business of the House

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 22nd March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

Yesterday was the first day of spring, and the Government said that they would be publishing their serious violence strategy in spring. All I want to know is, when will you be publishing it, and when you do, may we have a debate on it in Government time?

[Mr Speaker]

I will not be publishing it, but the Leader of the House might, and we will, I am sure, be deeply obliged to her if she does.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 14th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

11. What steps her Department is taking to tackle discrimination in sport.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Tracey Crouch.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 9th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft]

Last week, when I visited Deptford Green secondary school, a teenager from the school council asked me a question, and she started by saying, “It’s not political.” She asked me, “Why are there not more sports facilities for young girls in the area?” Female sports participation is half men’s—this was a very political question from a young girl—and is that any surprise when female role models such as Steph Houghton, England’s women’s football captain, is paid £65,000 a year, while Wayne Rooney is paid £250,000 a week? That is £12 million—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry—it is a very good question, but it is far too long. Topical questions have got to be much shorter. I am sorry to interrupt, but I think we have got the gist.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Monday 11th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are better informed.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

T4. Figures released recently from the Met police show that serious youth violence is continuing to rise across the capital. Since being elected last year, I have lost three of my constituents to serious youth violence. Young people need to be safe on our streets. It is an issue for all of society. Can the Minister not see the link between rising numbers of knife crimes and falling numbers of police officers? London’s Mayor has been letting people down. Is it not time for a Labour Mayor of London?

Business of the House

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and John Bercow

Thursday 17th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I call Valerie Vaz. [Interruption.] The hon. Lady is not seeking to catch my eye at this time. My mistake; I apologise. She is firmly rooted in her seat.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

On 6 December, my constituent, Kabba Kamara, was tragically stabbed to death while on a night out with friends and family in central London. He was a valued member of the community, the father of a three-year-old boy and a carer of his elderly grandmother. He was warm, intelligent and kind. A few weeks ago, I told the House about two other constituents who had lost their lives to youth violence and I asked the Leader of the House if we could have a debate on the matter. He dodged the question and gave no answer. Today, I ask him this again. Will he honour Kabba Kamara by allowing us time to debate serious youth violence?