Speeches by Thomas.

“I am grateful to my hon. Friend, and to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) for her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which has done so much to bring this debate into the national consciousness. Does my hon. Friend agree with the Liberal Democrat policy that the Government should exempt hospices fr…”

“It is a privilege to be here in the Chamber to experience so many astonishing speeches. I direct attention specifically to the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sorcha Eastwood), whose speech was one for the ages. I preface my contribution with the acknowledgment that there are 263 women Members of this Parliament who are …”

“I absolutely stand by my hon. Friend’s comments. May I also congratulate him on the recent birth of his daughter? I am delighted that he will learn now, as I know, that there is nobody more blessed than the fathers of daughters. The attention of men and boys is often won through divisive and even violent rhetoric and b…”

“Professor Barnes, you mentioned that states prefer to settle these issues out of court. I would put it to you that that is not particularly effective and I would like to cite—I will read this so that I get it right—the fact that in 1986 Japan was a co-signatory to the International Whaling Commission, but continued to …”

“As long as the parties to that agreement are at the table. What pressures—sorry, you look like you are going to respond.”

“I have a follow-up question. Minister Creagh stated to this Committee in December that the UK had designated 38% of its seas as marine protected areas. That is well ahead of the Government’s 30 by 30 target, but only 44% of those MPAs are deemed to be in a favourable condition. To your mind, is a new criteria required …”

“As long as the parties to that agreement are at the table. What pressures—sorry, you look like you are going to respond.”

“All right, I will leave that there. Thank you.”

“All right, I will leave that there. Thank you.”

“I have a follow-up question. Minister Creagh stated to this Committee in December that the UK had designated 38% of its seas as marine protected areas. That is well ahead of the Government’s 30 by 30 target, but only 44% of those MPAs are deemed to be in a favourable condition. To your mind, is a new criteria required …”

“Professor Barnes, you mentioned that states prefer to settle these issues out of court. I would put it to you that that is not particularly effective and I would like to cite—I will read this so that I get it right—the fact that in 1986 Japan was a co-signatory to the International Whaling Commission, but continued to …”

“I invite the hon. Member to recognise that there is an international precedent for the seizure of Russian assets. Back in 1990, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the US, the UK and France transferred Iraqi assets to Kuwait to directly correspond with reparations to Kuwait. Does he agree that should be the case wi…”

“As a retired RAF police officer, I was particularly moved by stories where my own branch seemed to have acted so zealously. Perhaps it is appropriate that I apologise on behalf of the RAF police. My hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) made the same request on behalf of the Royal Military Police. …”

“Thank you for correcting me, Madam Deputy Speaker. The right hon. Member for Richmond and Northallerton (Rishi Sunak) did so while the mother of Brianna Ghey was on the estate. I appreciate that is a bit of a change in tone from the rest of the debate, but it is important that we recognise that the rhetoric we use in t…”

“Is there any other key evidence that you would like the Committee to consider beyond the scope of that?”

“You mentioned some of the impact that climate change is going to have on biodiversity in Antarctica. I read recently that avian influenza has also been transferred to Antarctica. What are your thoughts on the implications of avian flu for biodiversity and the stability of Antarctic ecosystems, particularly for vulnerab…”

“I have quite a personal connection to the Falkland Islands. Can you tell me what activities are going on there? I seem to remember being taken on various tours in the armed forces to the outlying island. That could potentially have a significant impact on some of the penguin species. Do you know what activities are bei…”

“Thank you. What steps ought to be taken to protect species from the spread of avian flu?”

“It sounds as if it might be quite difficult to manage, given the increasing tourism that takes place in Antarctica.”

“Is there any other key evidence that you would like the Committee to consider beyond the scope of that?”