Speeches by Pakes.

“Can I ask you another question about what risks you think are posed by significant levels of overseas ownership of our water companies?”

“My question is slightly different. I worry that your report so far, because it starts from the point you have described today as well, in the private model, does not give due regard to how other models could be accepted or provide alternative routes. It is about the purpose point of the sector.”

“There is a challenge within that. I fully understand that you want to get from where we are. The starting point you have inherited is a private model that has largely failed on a range of measures. We can pick individual metrics where different companies are league tabled, but the water system is failing. It is failing…”

“That picks up the point I was trying to raise with more focus, in the way the Chair can do it. I think there is a risk. Do you accept that there could be a risk that we have a report that is tinkering, given the dominance in the market of private regulated, whether it is listed or unlisted?”

“No, it is useful to hear your thinking. One criticism of the work you have done so far is that it focuses too much on the regulated, privatised model. I can see some elements of that on first reading. I ask it as an open question, but I can see where some of that criticism is coming from. It feels like, to some extent,…”

“I have a couple of questions to help tease out some of your thinking around ownership. With our work we have been doing, I very much agree that we have opened the box and seen that there is lots out there. One recurring theme that comes up a lot is around ownership of the water companies and what that means in terms of…”

“I welcome the statement and the absolute determination of Baroness Casey and this Government to hold to account perpetrators and those who may have been involved in cover-ups. One of the report’s recommendations is about the confusion between different agencies, and a particular element of that is about taxi licensing …”

“rose—”

“I did use the facilities, Madam Deputy Speaker; I apologise for that. I am a gentleman of an age. [Laughter.] I thank my hon. Friend for taking an intervention. We are about to reach the 80th anniversary of the landslide 1945 Labour Government, which set the NHS in train, and the 77th anniversary of the NHS. Fundamenta…”

“indicated assent.”

“As the proud son of a dinner lady, I warmly welcome the Minister’s statement. I also pay tribute to the Minister for Employment at his side, who is a tribune in the Government and the House against child poverty. With nearly one in two children in my constituency in poverty—a stain left by the last Government—this will…”

“I welcome the Minister’s update to the House, but he will know that we see not only the horror and inhumane violence of the Israeli Government in Gaza, but aggression on the west bank. I welcome the Government’s condemnation of the 22 new settlements, and look forward to hearing words about the forced transfer from Pal…”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving us such a wonderful practical example. I would correct him only by saying that it was not me that saved our centre; it was the campaigners and their families. I would like to ensure that the record represents that it was their work that saved it, rather than me as an individual MP,…”

“My hon. Friend has answered his own question, given the passion with which he has told that story; the role of young carers is a story to which the House must bear witness. I know that my hon. Friend the Minister for Care is passionate about ensuring that those who care for loved ones facing health conditions get the r…”

“It is a huge honour and privilege to follow the hon. Member for Caerfyrddin (Ann Davies) and the many others who have shared personal family stories as well as stories about what is happening in their constituency. I truly welcome this debate and thank the hon. Member for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) for securing it. …”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement and for his leadership on this issue since we came into government. Many people know that when it comes to defence, it is about not just the money we spend, but how it is spent. One of the challenges under the previous Government was that the investment did not create jobs…”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement and her razor-like focus on fixing the broken justice and prison system this Government inherited. May I welcome the £700 million to help rebuild probation services and ask a question on rehabilitation and making community punishment pay? I think many people in my constitu…”

“First, I associate myself on the record with the comments about the terrible antisemitic attacks in the United States overnight. The horrors in Gaza are not just the young lives lost, but the lost opportunities. In the last few weeks, I have been speaking to an incredibly bright young Palestinian student in Gaza, who i…”

“Q6. The Prime Minister will know that thriving high streets are essential to local growth, but in cities such as mine, people are increasingly concerned by the uncontrolled growth of betting shops and vape stores. Research shows that that concern is not isolated. Nearly half of betting shops and gambling stores are in …”

“In that spirit of listening and learning, I have been speaking to businesses in my constituency this week, and the chambers of commerce have signalled that the trade deal is a new start for British business because it is reducing red tape, giving certainty to businesses and allowing them to trade and do well, in my con…”