Speeches by Law.

“Does my hon. and gallant Friend accept that there is increased accountability in the Water (Special Measures) Act through the fact that many companies in the industry are now rewriting their articles of association to ensure that they are accountable not just to shareholders, but to the customers and users of water?”

“My hon. and gallant Friend makes an impassioned case for public ownership—something that, in the right context, I am sure Members on all sides of the House can celebrate. On the point about the cost of financing to the public, though, does he agree that while there are some serious indiscretions in parts of the industr…”

“On this point about national interest, how does that sit against what a lot of people are calling for, which is a localisation agenda or a partnership approach? That has been increasingly prized in the sector.”

“Briefly, is that not our rallying cry and one that perhaps appeals to some of the people who are losing trust in the idea that there is an international system?”

“To follow up on that, I think that tackling downstream migration is something of a collective action problem in the same way as climate change is. Given that, as you rightly said, it is in the UK’s national interest to get a handle on it and tackle it upstream, or perhaps through a Marshall plan sort of idea, how do yo…”

“On this point about national interest, how does that sit against what a lot of people are calling for, which is a localisation agenda or a partnership approach? That has been increasingly prized in the sector.”

“I have a few more questions about the fungibility of these different sources. In your mind, where is it that development finance can step in to fill the void left by ODA, and where can it not do so?”

“Turning to other sources—perhaps philanthropy, or investment—which alternative sources in your mind can be the most effective in replacing some of the efforts that will be lost through traditional ODA?”

“Briefly, is that not our rallying cry and one that perhaps appeals to some of the people who are losing trust in the idea that there is an international system?”

“To follow up on that, I think that tackling downstream migration is something of a collective action problem in the same way as climate change is. Given that, as you rightly said, it is in the UK’s national interest to get a handle on it and tackle it upstream, or perhaps through a Marshall plan sort of idea, how do yo…”

“I have a few more questions about the fungibility of these different sources. In your mind, where is it that development finance can step in to fill the void left by ODA, and where can it not do so?”

“Turning to other sources—perhaps philanthropy, or investment—which alternative sources in your mind can be the most effective in replacing some of the efforts that will be lost through traditional ODA?”

“Will the hon. Gentleman give way?”

“I welcome the Minister’s commitment to ensuring that 50% of public procurement is of British produce. Given the significant £5 billion of bargaining power that this represents, what steps is he taking to ensure that this leads to fairer prices for farmers and supports the fundamental operating profitability of the sect…”

“9. What steps he is taking to encourage public bodies to prioritise the purchase of British produce.”

“I welcome the hon. Member’s bold efforts to bring Bedfordshire’s tourism economy to the fore. In Cornwall, our tourism economy is already very much at the fore. Does he agree that it has been a mistake to see the industry as a sort of be-all and end-all in places such as Cornwall? Given the seasonality of the employmen…”

“My constituent Sarah has been unable to afford a British Sign Language course for her son, which costs up to £400. I welcome the prospect of a GCSE in BSL, but that support is often unavailable where skills funding is not devolved. Can the Minister outline what steps he is taking to ensure that families in areas not ye…”

“T10. My constituent Heidi recently moved off benefits and back into work, only to find she is earning less than when she was on benefits. Meanwhile, my constituent Tyrone is blind, autistic and has cerebral palsy, and, although he is an aspiring DJ, may struggle to find permanent work. What steps is the Minister taking…”

“What does the hon. Member think that the largest farming budget in recent years will do if not make farming more profitable?”

“The economic fundamentals of farming must be a priority, and I call on the Government to focus on the key determinants of farm operating profitability. There are many drivers of what makes a British farm successful, but structural pressures—buyer oligopolies, price input volatility, international trade challenges, diff…”