Speeches by Ballinger.

“While EU institutions have a more limited role in security than member states or other organisations, could you say more about what the E3 or JEF might do on the back of those type of arrangements?”

“I wanted to ask a bit more about the role of the FCDO. Of course, it is really important to have the agreements, mechanisms and dialogues, but as the Chair said at the start, a measure of success will be how people in the EU feel about the EU reset—and how they feel about the UK as a whole. Could you tell us a bit more…”

“That is really good to hear. At the same time, we are looking at the headcount reduction in the FCDO, so I wondered whether you had done an impact assessment on how that is going to affect Europe as a whole and maybe the UK mission in Brussels. What impact might that have?”

“10. What steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of people smugglers.”

“rose—”

“My constituents in Halesowen continue to be concerned about the number of people crossing to the UK on small boats. They are calling for swift and tough action against the people smugglers responsible for these dangerous crossings, which are putting the lives of women and children at risk. Can the Solicitor General out…”

“The right hon. Member is delivering an excellent speech. As the Defence Committee did in 2016, the Foreign Affairs Committee is now conducting an inquiry into disinformation, which covers many of the same areas that he discusses. Does he agree that the increasing spread of disinformation, increasingly in countries that…”

“In a previous life, I worked on the Turkey-Greece returns deal, which returned refugees who had crossed in small boats from Turkey to the Greek islands in return for properly registered asylum seekers in Turkey. As we all know, that deal drastically reduced the number of small boats that crossed into Turkey. Does the H…”

“One of the best matches in the country.”

“It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Tipton and Wednesbury (Antonia Bance) for organising this debate. It is a pleasure to see so many Black Country MPs together to discuss our great region with such passion. It is also nice to hear Members from outside our region…”

“It is fantastic to see the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, promoting growth across our region. I am also delighted to see that the defence sector, which will be vital for jobs not just in our region but across the West Midlands combined authority, is front and centre among all the sectors that are being sup…”

“Does my hon. Friend agree with me that the three trade deals that our Prime Minister secured earlier this year with India, the EU and America will benefit our region greatly and can really help to turbocharge manufacturing in the Black Country?”

“We have seen again images of children dying of starvation and malnutrition, and this comes after months of warnings from the UN system about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s announcement of more aid, but we know that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not allow in mo…”

“Some of the respondents to our call for evidence have said that the UK is using its penholder position as kind of an improvement to our international influence, which is decreasing elsewhere. Do you think that is correct? How do you think us being a penholder on all these files helps to improve the UK’s influence?”

“I agree, of course. Other respondents to our call for evidence talked about the lack of transparency in how the UK conducts its penholding role. Can you talk a bit about how you ensure transparency and consult other members?”

“I served twice in Afghanistan alongside some of the bravest soldiers, judges and women’s rights defenders I have met. After the fall of Kabul, I was based in Pakistan with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where I was involved in the evacuation from Afghanistan. At that time, despite the excellent work …”

“1. What steps he is taking to support workers’ rights in the renewable energy sector.”

“Many of my constituents in Halesowen work in energy-intensive industries such as forges and heavy manufacturing. The Government are rightly supporting those industries to become more energy-efficient, but workers need new skills, as well as skills in the many new jobs in the renewable energy sector. As they make this t…”

“Will the hon. Member give way?”

“I would like to hear more from the Secretary of State about the protections that veterans will be given, one of which, I understand, is that no veteran will be asked to travel to Northern Ireland; rather, they can give evidence remotely, which is important. There does need to be more on protections, but—[Interruption.]…”