Speeches by Vickers.

“The hundreds of workers at Lindsey oil refinery will have noted that in response to an earlier question, the Minister did not attempt to respond on the future of the refinery. At least two investors are looking to take over the whole site. If they prove satisfactory, can the Minister assure me that the Government will …”

“Chair, I should just declare an interest: I supported the application. Sam Carling made representations.”

“Yes. I am told by my office that we have two more people on board today, though I cannot tell you who they are at the minute, but I agree. Obviously, as a member of the Committee, I am very mindful of the need to have a balanced number of signatures.”

“Thank you, Chair. The main reason that I am requesting the debate is that the Prax Lindsey oil refinery in my constituency is threatened with closure. It is at present being administered by the receivers on behalf of the Government. This will potentially affect—the figures vary—400-plus directly employed staff and a ma…”

“You mentioned Immingham, in my constituency, in your application, and I am aware of the organisation. I fully support the application, Chair. They do excellent work.”

“I welcome the anticipated recognition of Palestine, expected later this month. Of itself it will make no difference on the ground, but I think it is an important piece of symbolism. We heard in an earlier question about the risks that journalists are facing, and we are aware that Israel blocks many journalists, includi…”

“T9. Will the Minister give an update on the progress being made to introduce nationwide screening and improved treatments for prostate cancer?”

“This is a massive blow to my Brigg and Immingham constituency—most particularly to those directly employed by the refinery, but also to the wider economy of the sub-region. Will the Minister reconsider what he just said about statutory redundancy? I want the maximum support given to those workers. I will raise two othe…”

“Before I begin, may I associate myself with the remarks from the Father of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) in respect of a public inquiry for Sir David? I will raise an important issue that has been raised on a number of occasions by Members: private management companies, …”

“I knew my right hon. Friend would say that. Finally, Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish you and everyone else a very happy recess.”

“T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”

“The Secretary of State has tried to paint a glowing picture of what is happening, but I can tell him that in northern Lincolnshire there are growing concerns. There have been a number of business failures in the last few weeks in the Grimsby and Immingham areas, and he will be aware of the threat to hundreds of jobs at…”

“The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee sends his apologies, and has asked me to report on his behalf. The Leader of the House has already drawn attention to next week’s debates, particularly the Sir David Amess debate, which I urge Members to participate in. Sir David used to rattle off about 20 issues in the sp…”

“Energy costs are an issue that the Prax oil refinery has brought to my attention over the years as a problem it has been facing. I appreciate the calls I have had with the Minister for Energy about this. I was able to visit the plant on Friday, and there was clearly growing concern, with hundreds of jobs at risk. What …”

“In reply to an earlier question, the Planning Minister said that he wanted to increase the number of people who engage in the preparation of local plans. He will know that even if that number was doubled, it would still be a small proportion of the local community. When applications are being considered, local communit…”

“At a recent constituency surgery, a constituent came to me who is in receipt of the survivor police pension. She drew my attention to the anomaly that if she were to remarry or cohabit, she would lose her pension. There has been an ongoing campaign about this for a number of years. I am looking to apply for a Backbench…”

“I will follow on from the Secretary of State’s reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) about the service between Grimsby, Cleethorpes and King’s Cross. The Secretary of State rightly mentioned digital signalling on the east coast main line, which will improve capacity, but five trai…”

“The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster referenced the considerable spending on flood defences over the next few years. He will be aware that the port of Immingham and much of the south bank of the Humber was severely affected by a tidal surge in 2013. Although much work has been done in recent years, can he give an a…”

“They do not have to be Conservative; it just says “non-Government parties”. You just need two more from the Opposition side of the House.”

“We need an even split between Government and Opposition Members, so you could do with another couple of signatures from the Opposition.”