Speeches by Dyke.

“My constituency contains the longest stretch of rail without a station anywhere in the country. In fact, there are only eight stations in Somerset. Langport and Somerton fall right in the middle of that isolated area, despite the Paddington to Taunton line running straight through the towns. A new station could boost a…”

“Matt, you wanted to come in.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“It was after I graduated.”

“That leads on to my next question. The strategy proposals rely on voluntary action from farmers, breeders and the industry. What kind of pressure is that going to lead to within the veterinary sector?”

“I think I read that.”

“The animal welfare strategy for England was published towards the end of last year, outlining major reforms to raise standards for pets, livestock and wildlife. It focuses on the moral duty to protect animals, and the strategy emphasises that animal welfare is intrinsically linked to the economy, environment and human …”

“First, I would just like to say how lovely it is to be back at Harper Adams.”

“Finally, the Government intend to work with vets to end certain farm practices, like pig tail docking, beak trimming of laying hens, and tail docking of lambs, for example, and improve that companion animal welfare. Again, going back to that engagement, what are the stepping stones to get us there, and what will it loo…”

“Unpacking that a bit more, what does that good engagement look like? Because there is that risk, isn’t there, of possible conflict between farmers and the veterinary industry. What would that model look like? What would good practice look like?”

“Yes. The other side of that would be: does the sector have the resources for the checks and advisory work that is going to follow? What are your feelings on that?”

“Well, of course. It is very nice; it is a real joy to be back. You are talking a lot about preparing those students for the work environment. Is there any support once they are in the workplace? Veterinary practice does have a high suicide rate and rate of burnout in comparison with the general population. I was just w…”

“I thank all hon. Members for their contributions and give special thanks to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge), who co-sponsored the debate alongside me. As has been outlined, carnivals are a distinctive and important part of British cultural heritage. For many in Somerset, they are a key point of cel…”

“I certainly do agree, and I thank my hon. Friend for her question this time. She makes a very good point: the income that was brought in buckets and thrown on the carts once sustained carnivals. Now, it does not go far enough to cover the cost of running them, especially with all the additional associated costs. That c…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered Government support for carnivals. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for scheduling this important debate. Carnivals have been celebrated in Somerset for over 400 years and continue to be wonderful celebratio…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution—it was not really a question. I wholeheartedly endorse her offer of a visit to carnival in Somerset; it is a spectacular sight, as she rightly points out. I will come on to her point about the importance of young people continuing to be a part of the tradition, and about the …”

“It is an honour to serve with you in the Chair this morning, Ms Jardine. I congratulate the hon. Member for Newport West and Islwyn (Ruth Jones) on securing this important debate, and I pay tribute to her tireless campaigning on animal rights. It is a pleasure to speak on behalf of the Liberal Democrats today. We have …”

“Holly Davidson made history in February when she took charge of the Ireland versus Italy Six Nations game in Dublin, becoming the first woman to referee a men’s game. Being a proud Scot, will he join me in congratulating her on that terrific move for women’s participation in rugby generally?”

“I founded North Dorset women’s rugby club back in 1995 and I am very pleased to say that it is still going. There is now also a fantastic girls’ team, linked with Castle Cary rugby club in my constituency, for girls aged between 12 and 18. There has been some great work on facilities and there has been some funding ava…”

“I thank the hon. Member for securing this important debate. Storm Chandra hit the Somerset levels terribly badly. Water falling on already saturated land caused huge issues for many people. Farmers play a crucial role in managing our floodwaters. One farmer, Mike Curtis, who farms in Muchelney, took me and the Water an…”