Speeches by Fox.

“Does the Minister agree that the low number of police officers in Northern Ireland hinders the fight against violence against women and girls? Will she work with the Executive to ensure that the number of officers is increased to the 7,500 recommended?”

“It is extraordinary, isn’t it?”

“You have described the wasted costs of reducing the number of sitting days and cancelling trials, and the distress to victims and witnesses, but presumably the Lord Chancellor took that decision ostensibly to save money in this financial year. Do you know how much money she has saved this financial year?”

“I am Ashley Fox, the Member for Bridgwater. My interests are as declared on the register.”

“It seems that you are being told to cancel a great many trials, and being given no indication of what the saving will be.”

“What caused the delay? My understanding is you started the tender in September 2023. That is more than 12 months ago. The original timetable was for a decision in October 2024. Why has this been delayed? What is the cause of that?”

“As declared on the register.”

“Thank you, Chair. I wanted to ask you, if I may, about the new prison education contracts. I understand these were due to start from April 2025. Is that still the case? If not, when do you anticipate that they will start?”

“When you say the general election interfered with the process, you are suggesting that the tender process was stopped because you were not happy with what was originally being asked for. There has been a change of policy.”

“Describe to me how you hope these new contracts will differ from the old ones and what will flow from that.”

“You will presumably have to deal with the issue of security in granting prisoners access to these tablets and access to the internet.”

“Finally, if I may, Chair, you referred to basic literacy and numeracy. Yes, that is important, but what about vocational skills as part of that educational experience?”

“Thanks, Chair.”

“Does the hon. Lady agree that the Minister needs to find a suitable alternative for our constituents in Somerset, after the failure of Connecting Devon and Somerset and Airband?”

“rose—”

“Can the Minister explain why the Government rushed into this deal so that it could be completed just before the Mauritian election? Is it proper for the British Government to give diplomatic kudos to a party in a foreign election?”

“On the future reforms, does the Minister not accept that when House of Lords reform was discussed in 1998-99, the hereditaries were retained as a temporary measure, yet the Labour Government never came forward with the second stage? Does she appreciate that many of us are slightly cynical about this Government’s ever b…”

“The hon. Member spoke about the need for consensus. Has he read new clauses 1 and 2, tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge (Sir Gavin Williamson), which would remove the bishops from the upper House? I am sure that is something on which there is great agreement on the Governmen…”

“The Labour party promised immediate reform of the House of Lords in its manifesto and set out several steps that it would take. However, the Government have introduced just one of those steps—the step that is most politically convenient for them. Is it a coincidence that their proposals would remove 84 hereditaries who…”

“I am proud to represent the Bridgwater constituency, which has both urban and rural communities. It is plain to see that those living in the countryside do not enjoy the same quality of service as those living in town. One of the greatest differences is in broadband and mobile signals. In today’s economy, access to fas…”