Speeches by Thomas.

“On that note, we have heard from several Members today about their concerns for children’s mental health, when their expectations are often measured against heavily doctored images they see online. Will the Minister commit to use and/or amend legislation that commits hosts—as is common with regulated news outlets —to c…”

“It is a privilege to be here in the Chamber to experience so many astonishing speeches. I direct attention specifically to the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sorcha Eastwood), whose speech was one for the ages. I preface my contribution with the acknowledgment that there are 263 women Members of this Parliament who are …”

“I absolutely stand by my hon. Friend’s comments. May I also congratulate him on the recent birth of his daughter? I am delighted that he will learn now, as I know, that there is nobody more blessed than the fathers of daughters. The attention of men and boys is often won through divisive and even violent rhetoric and b…”

“I have a follow-up question. Minister Creagh stated to this Committee in December that the UK had designated 38% of its seas as marine protected areas. That is well ahead of the Government’s 30 by 30 target, but only 44% of those MPAs are deemed to be in a favourable condition. To your mind, is a new criteria required …”

“All right, I will leave that there. Thank you.”

“All right, I will leave that there. Thank you.”

“Professor Barnes, you mentioned that states prefer to settle these issues out of court. I would put it to you that that is not particularly effective and I would like to cite—I will read this so that I get it right—the fact that in 1986 Japan was a co-signatory to the International Whaling Commission, but continued to …”

“As long as the parties to that agreement are at the table. What pressures—sorry, you look like you are going to respond.”

“I have a follow-up question. Minister Creagh stated to this Committee in December that the UK had designated 38% of its seas as marine protected areas. That is well ahead of the Government’s 30 by 30 target, but only 44% of those MPAs are deemed to be in a favourable condition. To your mind, is a new criteria required …”

“Professor Barnes, you mentioned that states prefer to settle these issues out of court. I would put it to you that that is not particularly effective and I would like to cite—I will read this so that I get it right—the fact that in 1986 Japan was a co-signatory to the International Whaling Commission, but continued to …”

“As long as the parties to that agreement are at the table. What pressures—sorry, you look like you are going to respond.”

“I invite the hon. Member to recognise that there is an international precedent for the seizure of Russian assets. Back in 1990, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the US, the UK and France transferred Iraqi assets to Kuwait to directly correspond with reparations to Kuwait. Does he agree that should be the case wi…”

“As a retired RAF police officer, I was particularly moved by stories where my own branch seemed to have acted so zealously. Perhaps it is appropriate that I apologise on behalf of the RAF police. My hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) made the same request on behalf of the Royal Military Police. …”

“Thank you for correcting me, Madam Deputy Speaker. The right hon. Member for Richmond and Northallerton (Rishi Sunak) did so while the mother of Brianna Ghey was on the estate. I appreciate that is a bit of a change in tone from the rest of the debate, but it is important that we recognise that the rhetoric we use in t…”

“It sounds as if it might be quite difficult to manage, given the increasing tourism that takes place in Antarctica.”

“You mentioned some of the impact that climate change is going to have on biodiversity in Antarctica. I read recently that avian influenza has also been transferred to Antarctica. What are your thoughts on the implications of avian flu for biodiversity and the stability of Antarctic ecosystems, particularly for vulnerab…”

“Is there any other key evidence that you would like the Committee to consider beyond the scope of that?”

“It sounds as if it might be quite difficult to manage, given the increasing tourism that takes place in Antarctica.”

“I am a scuba diver. I have spent some time diving in the Indian Ocean and I recall—I am trying to go as fast as I can—just how loud diesel-powered ships can be from a mile away. To your knowledge, what assessment has been made of impact of noise pollution as experienced by marine life, by polar research and tourism?”

“Is there any other key evidence that you would like the Committee to consider beyond the scope of that?”