Speeches by Lewell.

“I echo Mr Speaker’s comments at the start of business questions and hope that everyone has a lovely summer. Reform-led South Tyneside council is planning to close down our publicly run, high-quality STANLEY’s—South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years—nurseries and daycare, which will affect hund…”

“T10. Heugh Street bridge has been closed since November. The council only applied to the structures fund after I raised the matter here, and despite pleas, it has still not implemented proper diversions. The bridge is absolutely vital on Great North Run day in September. Can the Minister suggest what else we can do nex…”

“Morning, all. We know how important High North security is to the UK. We also know how important our Royal Navy fleet is and how critical it is to that. Can you give me an update on what is currently available for operations out of our two carriers, our six Type 45 destroyers, our five remaining Type 23s and our five A…”

“What would be unacceptable? What would make you unhappy?”

“Of the fleet that I just went through, what is deployed and what is currently available to be deployed—in numbers? The two carriers first.”

“I appreciate the answers you have both given, but in terms of what is available for operations, is that something that you are not going to be able to share with us today? Is that what you are both saying?”

“I think I will leave it there.”

“I know.”

“I suppose my main concern, to take it back to the Astute-class attack subs, is that they protect our nuclear deterrent and our submariners on that nuclear deterrent. The reports that we get are that none of them is deployed or deployable; they are all in deep refit or deep maintenance. Do you see why our Committee is c…”

“So in answer to my question, is the Department satisfied that what we are providing and what we have in operation is adequate for High North commitments?”

“Our concern is that, as you will appreciate, there has been lots in the press around the availability of the fleet. It is out in the public domain that one carrier, three Type 45s, four Type 23s and all our Astute-class subs are out of action. Can you confirm or deny that for us?”

“Is that a yes? Sorry, I am just after an answer. I am not trying to be difficult; I just would appreciate an answer.”

“We will.”

“You have both indicated that the DIP broadly implements the SDR recommendations, but also that there are important things missing from it. Should a new Prime Minister and Cabinet relook at it, or add to it and produce a DIP part 2?”

“Morning, both. Just a quick question: were you or Fiona Hill involved in the DIP planning and the discussions with Government?”

“Did you ask to be?”

“And are you happy about that? Did you not feel there was a bit of a disconnect? If you created the document that the DIP then flows from, should you not have been involved at some stage?”

“Do you know when you were invited in to discuss the delivery of the 62 recommendations? That was quite some time ago, wasn’t it?”

“I thank the Secretary of State for his statement, but I worry that scrapping the Type 83s that were due to replace our Type 45 destroyers, and were to be the backbone of our fleet, in favour of a hybrid, uncrewed, autonomous Navy is a gamble. Unmanned service vessels of that size are untested, especially in the High No…”

“The stalker of my constituent Sophie Hall was arrested and deported. Post deportation, there was no monitoring of him at all. The stalking recommenced, and he is now back in prison in the UK. This Government’s progression model means that he will be released early, and will again not be subject to active probation supe…”