Speeches by Hatton.

“For the past few months, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth West (Jessica Toale) and I have been campaigning for a new drone centre to be designated at the Dorset Innovation Park. The park already hosts a strong defence ecosystem for testing, developing and researching drone technology. Alongside this, the count…”

“I thank the Minister for updating the House with this important annual statement. Unfortunately, the Jailhouse Café, which is a fantastic rehabilitation initiative for both prisoners and ex-prisoners on Portland, is set to close its doors in the next few days. Expia, the brilliant charity that runs the café, is current…”

“I thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their thoughtful and constructive contributions in today’s debate, and particularly the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Dr Chowns) for outlining eloquently the really quite damaging and concerning impact of agricultural run-off. That issue does not get the spotlight that…”

“My hon. Friend is making an eloquent speech about the importance of cross-society working between Government, regulatory bodies and the stewards of our riverways and countryside. Does he agree that, unless we have that collaborative approach, we are unlikely to see the change we both so desperately want in order to res…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of protecting and restoring river habitats. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Butler. I thank the Making Space for Water campaigners, whose tireless work in championing our riverways is exactly why we are here today in Westminster Hall. It is a p…”

“I agree that a co-ordinated approach that works with farmers, landowners and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is required. That extensive work took place in my constituency, and it meant that the release was broadly seen as a success story. We would certainly like to replicate that across the west…”

“Will my hon. Friend give way?”

“I thank the hon. Member for his intervention; it is almost as if he had an exclusive sneak peek at my remarks. I will turn to the damaging role of water companies. Sadly, many firms have a sorry track record in protecting rivers and boosting water quality. For far too long, many water companies have profiteered, despit…”

“I am talking about another case that was reported just days ago in The Guardian, where the current chief executive and the current chief finance officer both received well over £20,000 in previously undisclosed extra pay. I am aware of why bonuses bans are put in place; I know that you have given us the reason. I am su…”

“Isn’t this the exact problem? We see these water companies just happening to be one part of a complex and opaque web of companies. Therefore, the Act as it stands is perhaps not tough enough. I really would like to know what Ofwat is absolutely able to do to look at the whole web of companies and have a clear picture o…”

“So, in your judgment that didn’t happen, despite the calls of the regulator, with Wessex Water, and it was actually operating in quite a secret and shadowy way?”

“In your judgment, do you think that happened in this Wessex Water incident?”

“I have got all that as well; we can go over that, too.”

“I am sure that everybody here has been fairly appalled by the significant water supply outages across much of the south-east of England. In 2023, Ofwat launched an investigation into South East Water, looking at these supply outages. That investigation, which is over two years old, has not concluded, and it has not com…”

“Which did happen in the case of Wessex Water.”

“All three of you will no doubt have seen the recent media reports in The Guardian that the bosses of Wessex Water, a water firm that serves my constituency, received some £50,000 in previously undisclosed extra pay from a parent company last year. That has obviously drawn a lot of public interest in the light of the fa…”

“When you say that parties have rights of defence, are you talking about South East Water?”

“It seems to feel, particularly to people living in the south-east, but I imagine to everyone on the Committee, that it would be defending the indefensible. We have seen long-term problems across much of the south-east of England, where there have been significant and repeated water outages. This pace of working feels v…”

“I don’t think that’s quite correct; I think you are referring to the former chief executive.”

“Lastly, when will the first investigation likely conclude? Can we get a date? When will the second emergency investigation likely conclude?”