Speeches by Stephenson.

“My final question is for Dr Williams, and it is about the grant funding. Are the grant funding levels of £4 million to £5 million from NERC sufficient to support these ambitious long-term projects?”

“I have one final question. Are there any changes to the funding mechanisms that you would really like to see that would support your projects into the future?”

“That is a perfect bridge, bringing in both funding and collaboration. Since we were talking about collaboration, Professor, could you perhaps walk us through some of the challenges that exist in ensuring effective work?”

“That is a perfect bridge, bringing in both funding and collaboration. Since we were talking about collaboration, Professor, could you perhaps walk us through some of the challenges that exist in ensuring effective work?”

“Will the Home Secretary confirm how many country deals are being worked on to ensure that people can be returned to their country of origin, and when does she expect them to have a material impact on the level of migration to the UK?”

“On Bedfordshire Day, I want to put on record my appreciation for everyone who works so hard in our county to make it such a wonderful place. That includes constituents who are passionate about preserving St Botolph’s church in Aspley Guise. They are working hard to raise tens of thousands of pounds for their tower rest…”

“6. What recent discussions the Church has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether the listed places of worship grant scheme will continue after March 2025.”

“As a Bedfordshire MP, I know how significant the Vauxhall plant is to our local economy and as a local employer. The Secretary of State has explained how devastating this decision will be for families locally, not just in Luton but in my constituency. Unfortunately, though, he has said very little about how he is going…”

“Given that there is so little confidence that the infrastructure either will be delivered up front or will follow, what are the biggest environmental risks that we should be alive to?”

“It sounds like you are not terribly confident, but perhaps Councillor Wright has some observations.”

“I want to ask about the importance of delivering infrastructure to build sustainable communities. How confident are you that the infrastructure that is required to support 1.5 million houses will be delivered? Maybe I can start with Mr Stafford.”

“Given that there is so little confidence that the infrastructure either will be delivered up front or will follow, what are the biggest environmental risks that we should be alive to?”

“It sounds like you are not terribly confident, but perhaps Councillor Wright has some observations.”

“I want to ask about the importance of delivering infrastructure to build sustainable communities. How confident are you that the infrastructure that is required to support 1.5 million houses will be delivered? Maybe I can start with Mr Stafford.”

“I absolutely agree. Commuter towns, particularly those just outside London, become areas that people travel through and do not stop off in, and we can do more as a country to promote them as destinations. I will come on to some ideas on that in a moment, particularly for my constituency. If people want to spend more ti…”

“I could not resist it. Bedfordshire is a beautiful, historic place to live and spend time in. We are fortunate to have some absolutely fantastic local hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses. As its Member of Parliament, I am determined to put Mid Bedfordshire on the map as a place for people to visit. If the Gover…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered tourism in Bedfordshire. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. Bedfordshire is a fantastic place to visit and spend time; it is just over 30 minutes outside London on the Bedford line and is served by the M1 motorway and a major international airport…”

“As the previous Member for Mid Bedfordshire, the hon. Member knows how profoundly important this issue is to constituents like Amanda and Carol, who are tenacious. Does he agree that it is important to make sure that there is not a postcode lottery between local authorities and that there is equality of service across …”

“I entirely agree. A lot is said about sustainable development in planning rules. I know from my community that lots of people feel quite aggrieved by large new developments being built on the edge of villages, fundamentally changing their character. There is more work to do to ensure that our villages grow slowly and s…”

“Rural communities form the backbone of our country. They grow the food that feeds British families, they are the custodians of our beautiful countryside, and they are home to fantastic village pubs such as the Knife & Cleaver in Houghton Conquest, the Crown in Shillington and the Anchor in Aspley Guise—a shameless …”