Speeches by Campbell.

“The idea of blocks is a long-standing response, particularly when there are repetitive questions, and it is right that people can be pointed elsewhere. I always think that there is a case for more information rather than less, if it helps, and explaining why a question has been blocked is interesting to explore. But th…”

“Again, I am not sure of the answer to that. I am in favour of looking at the parameters around questions, if necessary. It is not just about them being constrained, but about whether they are relevant. We need to reflect the outside world, too, but we cannot get away from the prism of MPs’ offices and the MPs’ role in …”

“No, we don’t; that is absolutely right. That is why there is a balance here. It is not for me to tell you how to do your job, but when the Committee looks at this, I think it is important to establish where that balance is. I am not ducking your question directly, but I suppose I am indirectly. I am not sure that is at…”

“Well, I don’t know. Let’s speculate a bit. If one of the purposes of putting a question down is to press for action, could you not construct a question like, “Given what I’ve just read in The Times, I want to know what the Government intend to do about x”?. Would that not pass the bar?”

“Putting aside the wider argument, which I know the Speaker is particularly keen on, namely that if Departments are going to make an announcement, it should be made to Parliament first—or at the earliest opportunity; that is probably where we are going to get to—and urgent questions and statements are there so that ther…”

“The business for the week commencing 22 June will include: Monday 22 June—Remaining stages of the Armed Forces Bill. Tuesday 23 June—Opposition day (first allotted day). Debate on a motion in the name of the official Opposition. Subject to be announced. Wednesday 24 June—Debate on motions to approve ways and means reso…”

“I welcome the hon. Lady to her place. I will get to her remarks in just a second, but before I do, may I say that I was saddened to hear this week of the passing of Roy Hattersley, former deputy Labour leader? It is an overused word, but he was a true giant of the Labour party, and he will be remembered for his role in…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to bring this matter to the House’s attention. Buses are the most used form of public transport, and they are a lifeline for many communities. The last Conservative Government’s record on bus routes is appalling. They raised fares and left communities stranded, and I am sorry that the…”

“Let me be clear: no one should receive care in a corridor. The situation we inherited is unacceptable and undignified, and we are determined to end it. That is why, for the first time, we are publishing the data to show where problems are greatest and to ensure that trusts get the support they need. We are also taking …”

“I thank my hon. Friend for bringing that to the attention of the House. She is right that ensuring that communities can come together is vital, and the Government are providing funding to help local areas breathe life back into their high streets and restore community pride—not only by giving them investment, but by al…”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for the work of his Committee and for his update to the House on the business for which it is responsible. I certainly hear what he says about statements on the days of the estimates day debates. I am keen to ensure as much time as possible for those debates to go ahead and for people to take…”

“I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that line in the House, and I pay tribute to him for all his hard work to secure it. I also pay tribute to the hard work of our late hon. Friend Ronnie Campbell, who worked extraordinarily hard on the project while he was a Member of this House. He was much respected and is m…”

“The right hon. Gentleman is clearly frustrated on this matter, and he is right to be, because this has been raised not just by him but by other Members of the House for almost as long as I have been in this role. The response he got does reflect the fact that the Government take this seriously and that efforts are bein…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise these matters, and I can hear in her voice the frustration about such decisions being taken without the recognition that we need more houses. They are needed not just for people to make a home, but as a driver of economic growth, which we all seek. I respectfully suggest that…”

“The right hon. Gentleman will know that the decision to move to a new model was the result of a Court of Appeal judgment that found that the current arrangements could not legally continue. That should not suggest any disrespect for the coastguard service, which is instrumental in keeping people safe around our communi…”

“My hon. Friend is right to raise the importance of youth services. Our vision is to establish a much more straightforward funding system, to provide young people with opportunities where and when they need them most. We will be providing further details regarding eligibility criteria later this year, but I will ensure …”

“I hear what the right hon. Gentleman says. As he says, this has already been raised; it is raised at most business questions, if I am honest. As I said in a previous answer, the Government do take this seriously. We are acting to turn around what is a very difficult situation, but I hear what he says about getting an u…”

“First, I congratulate my hon. Friend on her very well-deserved damehood, announced last week. She is right to draw attention to the story of Chartism, because it is a vital part of the story of democracy in our country, not least the Newport rising in 1839. Our democracy is absolutely central to who we are as a country…”

“Indeed. If anyone wants to see that graffiti, which is a remarkable example of the messages that Chartists leave for our history, I am sure the House can facilitate that.”

“I am sorry to hear about the hon. Gentleman’s constituent. It is not acceptable that a British citizen should be treated in such a way, and I am also disappointed in the disappointing response so far from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I will give some thought to what he asks about consular support. …”