Speeches by McEvoy.

“Excellent. Mr Thwaite?”

“Does anybody else have anything on that point that they want to add?”

“Great. Is that specifically to SMEs?”

“It won’t surprise you to know that I will be interested in the regional disparity point on this, but before we get to that, do Mr Nunn and Mr Thwaite want to add anything?”

“The challenger banks are taking over in terms of funding SMEs. Why do you think that is? Are you going to close that gap?”

“I have one last question about regional disparity. In the north-east, we have a smaller number of SMEs, but we definitely have a smaller number of angel investors, and we really need the big high-street banks to lend to SMEs in the north-east and in Tees Valley specifically. With the Government’s industrial strategy co…”

“We definitely hear that a lot from constituents—that the valley of death is a problem. On that point, Government data says that just under 50% of SME loan applications are approved. Do you think that there is a risk problem from the big banks? Are you risk averse in lending to SMEs? Has that changed? What is going on t…”

“Thank you, Mr Thwaite. Mr Nunn?”

“Great—thank you for that. Does anybody else have anything they want to add?”

“So do we. Can you give us a little bit more detail on those positive trends—some of the figures for that? What are we talking about?”

“On 6 May, Business Matters reported that “Senior figures from HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds” were attending a meeting with Ministers to discuss the Government’s growth strategy and getting more money into small and medium-sized enterprises. Were any of you at that meeting? Can you tell us a little bit about it? Do you know …”

“In January 1945 in Darlington, William McMullen, a Canadian air pilot, was flying a plane across the densely populated town when it set fire. He steered it away from the populated area and evacuated his six crew mates, unfortunately losing his life in the process. This act of heroism has not been recognised by the Cana…”

“In my constituency we have a statistically significant suicide rate; I have mentioned several times in this place that I know seven men who have taken their own life. Does my hon. Friend agree that while funding is important, early intervention and preventive care in mental health services is also really good money, we…”

“Will the hon. Member give way?”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“Would my hon. Friend mind elaborating on the detail of the transferring of medical records? It is my understanding that someone can request their own medical records as a patient.”

“It needs to be spent, does it not? That is the first metric of success.”

“We are hopeful that there will be some procurement changes around supply chains in the industrial strategy.”

“It is true, though, isn’t it? Spend the money.”

“That is really interesting. On your point about the scale of pension funds, Mr Dharampal-Hornby, and the sheer scale of the pipeline projects, that flies in the face of it all being devolved to local authorities or some of the smaller regional mayoral authorities. I wonder what balance you think the National Wealth Fun…”