Speeches by Fookes.

“T5. Almost daily we hear reports of Israeli forces opening fire near aid distribution sites in Gaza. People cannot even access basic food supplies without risking their lives. Given the horrific level of suffering that we can all see taking place, is it not time to end all arms sales to Israel and to recognise the stat…”

“I remain extremely grateful for the £100 million of support the Government have given to the River Wye action plan—a pioneering joint effort between the UK and Welsh Governments—but we must do more, including using sustainable farming initiatives to support farmers to look at their stocking rates. I am concerned by rep…”

“1. What steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates for cases involving violence against women and girls.”

“I was glad to hear, after I raised this matter for the first time in November, of the launch of the west midlands pilot of the victims’ right to review scheme, which will give victims of rape and serious sexual violence an opportunity to challenge a prosecutor’s decision to drop their case. However, too many victims ha…”

“9. What steps he is taking to tackle river pollution.”

“I was reading that the CEO of Roblox said, “If you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on the platform.” That does not really seem good enough to me. Would you suggest that there needs to be age verification and some kind of lower age limit put on, or any other things put in place to stop anyone under 18 going o…”

“I feel a bit starstruck, to be honest, because I have been really inspired by you ever since you started the Everyday Sexism Project, so thank you for all your work. It is brilliant. I am going to ask about an area I know nothing about, which is virtual reality and gaming. I have two sons, but they are older teenagers …”

“I urge the hon. Lady to rethink what she is saying. There is nothing in new clause 1 that refers to abortion up until term. There would be no change to the abortion law—absolutely no change at all. We are not saying aborted to term, and it is extremely harmful for her to say that.”

“I rise to speak in support of new clause 1, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Tonia Antoniazzi), which would remove women from the criminal law on abortion. Before my election last year, I served as the director of the Women’s Equality Network Wales, and this issue has long been close to my heart. Until ve…”

“Due to time, I will not; I apologise. When Becca gave birth, her baby was small and premature. She says the first hospital she stayed in was amazing, providing support for her, her partner and their baby. The second, however, made the decision—against professional guidance and rules on patient confidentiality —to repor…”

“I rise to support new clauses 20 and 21, and amendments 70, 71 and 92 to 95. They are all about the right people having the right powers at the right time, and they respect the devolution settlement for Wales. I am mindful of time, and therefore I am sorry but I will not take interventions. I am extremely grateful to m…”

“Coming back to the interim update itself, it states, “trans men…should not be permitted to use the men’s facilities” and that “in some circumstances the law also allows…trans men…not to be permitted to use the women’s facilities”. What does that mean in practice?”

“I am incredibly proud to come from the wonderful country of Wales. It is the most beautiful, welcoming, open and supportive country, especially for LGBTQ people, and it is a country whose Labour Government said in their LGBTQ+ Action Plan in 2023, “It’s important to set out that Welsh Government’s position on trans peo…”

“But with all due respect, Baroness Faulkner, what if they do not exist now?”

“I will. The very quick follow-up question is how many CEOs have there been during your tenure, Baroness Falkner?”

“You also said that trans people have not lost a right.”

“But they have: they have lost the right to use the toilet of their choice. I have heard from people in my constituency in Monmouthshire that trans people who are not out have lost their right. For example, trans women who have been trans women for 30 years and have not told their work they are a trans woman—they do not…”

“I am going to ask about the guidance now. Baroness Falkner, you said that no one has lost a right, but in its interpretation, the Supreme Court said that its interpretation would not be disadvantageous or remove protection from trans people with or without a GRC, yet you have described it as enormously consequential. Y…”

“We are talking about the update.”

“There have actually been six permanent and interim. Why do you think that change in CEOs happened so often?”