Speeches by Lewin.

“Okay. You had an interesting phrase about the transfer of wealth in respect of buy to let. It was an interesting and perhaps courageous choice, because I think most of the evidence we have heard today suggests that the real transfer of wealth at the moment is going the other way: it is from the leaseholders who live in…”

“First of all, Charmaine, thank you for coming to give evidence. As the Chair set out, there are others who might want to be defending a similar position who were not brave enough to do so. I think that should be recognised at least. I want to take us back, though, to fire safety, because there is a really important poi…”

“Good morning, I am Andrew Lewin, the Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield.”

“T7. At the Munich security conference, the Prime Minister rightly said that we must do more to work with our allies to build our collective European security. Given that moral imperative, is there an ambition for the UK and the EU to reopen negotiations on UK access to the EU SAFE—security action for Europe—defence mec…”

“On days like this, I am particularly grateful that NHS waiting lists are falling. Although it seems a long time ago that we heard from the shadow Chancellor, I was very concerned about his blood pressure; he is no longer in his place, so I hope he has gone to get that checked. It is important that we take a breath and …”

“May I put on record my admiration for the skill and the bravery of our armed forces? We owe them a debt of gratitude now more than ever as they see action. The Prime Minister was right to say that we must learn the lessons from Iraq, and all the other conflicts in which there has not been a viable end plan. Given that,…”

“There are unquestionably things that we did not know. I listened incredibly carefully to the Prime Minister during PMQs today, and he was clear. He made a personal statement that he has felt lied to at every single stage of the process. The precise reason why every Member of this House wants to see every single documen…”

“I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend. That is why I began my remarks by saying that this has been an important day for the House. I sincerely believe that we are collectively in a much better place now than when we started the debate.”

“I will make some progress. All of us in this House deserve the truth. Everyone in this country deserves the truth. Most importantly of all, so does every victim. Mandelson’s time in public life was a very dark chapter. It is the duty of this House to shine a light on it and to give the public the answers that they abso…”

“Let me start by putting on record my horror at the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, as so many hon. Members have done today. This man was a paedophile and a perpetrator of evil acts. The pain of the victims and their families is unimaginable. I wish to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Natalie Fleet) for…”

“The only thing that matches his number of interventions in Westminster Hall is his decency as a man and a parliamentarian. The focus today has rightly been on Mandelson. There is unity in contempt for his actions: his scandalous and brazen leaking of Government information, and the way in which he undermined the Govern…”

“Catherine, moving to you. There have been a lot of questions directed to Martin and FirstPort, but they have committed to, and are publishing, quarterly service updates. My understanding is that your business is not doing that, at the moment. Can you talk us through why you have made that decision and are you looking t…”

“Andrew, can I come to you because we might have consensus breaking out here. FirstPort is publishing quarterly data. Catherine has just told the panel that she would be more than happy to do so. In your role, would you consider making it mandatory for members to publish data so that we, as parliamentarians but most imp…”

“Martin, my first question is for you. Thank you for coming back to the Committee and fronting up. That is important. I have to say that I think there is an astonishing mismatch from your opening comments about a service that is improving and doing well for a service business, I think you said at one point, and the stor…”

“I have a brief question on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. Martin, first I have to go back to an exchange from five minutes ago. You are effectively coming here to make the case that the problem is with the industry and the complexity with the industry, but not with FirstPort. You may not agree with tha…”

“Good morning. Andrew Lewin, MP for Welwyn Hatfield.”

“Do you publish the questions you ask people to get to a score of customer satisfaction? I am interested in that, just briefly, and I will then move on to the rest of the panel. I did ask whether you would consider asking customers if they consider FirstPort to be good value for money? Do you currently ask them that que…”

“I will be quick, but this is really important. The Committee has just learnt that FirstPort have been suspended twice. Martin, a question for you. We are on the record. There is an old saying, “Three strikes and you are out”. Would you take personal responsibility if FirstPort were referred to TPI for a third time? Wou…”

“I am conscious that we are running over, so I will put a simple question to Martin and Catherine. At this stage, have you been lobbying the Department to seek any specific policy changes to the draft Bill? Considering the position that both of your companies are in, do you think it is appropriate that you do so at this…”

“I thank the Chief Secretary for coming to Parliament at the first opportunity to address this issue. Epstein’s crimes were vile, and I cannot begin to imagine how these latest revelations must have compounded the pain for all the women and girls who were victims. Many in this House have already spoken powerfully about …”