Speeches by Williamson.

“Members tend to be quite broad in their comments.”

“I apologise, Mr Chairman, but I am going to go a bit off script, because the witnesses have already answered the question. Really, we have been asked to look at this off the back of Southport, when the country was talking about something but Parliament was silent. You are all KCs and very learned in your field, but you…”

“Sorry to interrupt. Do you think it would be useful for clarity to be given to such bodies that they should not try to restrict reporting of Parliament?”

“I just have a couple of minor points. If I recall correctly, the Government Chief Whip is responsible for all the minor parties. I just wonder, if you did go down that informal route, whether you could have a mechanism whereby the Government Whips took on that responsibility for liaising with the SNP. There is the assu…”

“This is a behavioural question. As Chief Whip, you are probably very used to behavioural issues. There could be a published list, or a list that sits with the Whips Office. At the moment, Speakers and Deputy Speakers are always very keen to squeeze in as many people as possible. If we had published lists, do you think …”

“I just have a couple of minor points. If I recall correctly, the Government Chief Whip is responsible for all the minor parties. I just wonder, if you did go down that informal route, whether you could have a mechanism whereby the Government Whips took on that responsibility for liaising with the SNP. There is the assu…”

“This is a behavioural question. As Chief Whip, you are probably very used to behavioural issues. There could be a published list, or a list that sits with the Whips Office. At the moment, Speakers and Deputy Speakers are always very keen to squeeze in as many people as possible. If we had published lists, do you think …”

“The Minister has heard what an amazing set of mid-sized and large businesses we have in the west midlands supporting defence, but we also have some amazing research universities. What more is the MOD looking at doing to work more closely with our universities, getting them geared towards supporting our move to rearming…”

“There has been disruption.”

“Marc and Stephen, do you think that the elections have created, like, super-parliamentarians? Obviously that is how we refer to our Chair. Have they given them a prominence that they did not previously have? We were talking about Gwyneth Dunwoody and various others who were quite prominent parliamentarians who used the…”

“Yes.”

“Meg, your written evidence suggests that competitiveness is unlikely to be the driver of increased campaigning. Do you think that is because the roles of Select Committee Chairs have become more established and people have become more comfortable with what they are, or that they see it as a better career route?”

“They usually want weak scrutiny of the Government from the Opposition Chairs.”

“Are you saying it is a guided democracy?”

“That is what happens.”

“You are raising an interesting point, but do you not think that Opposition parties are at a potential disadvantage in the system? I certainly know that it would be the inclination of a Government Chief Whip to do everything they can to get the weakest horse in as a Select Committee Chair and encourage their voters and …”

“10. What steps his Department is taking to support people with acute myeloid leukaemia.”

“I think we all agree that the voices of survivors have to be at the heart of this. It is worrying and concerning when two of those survivors do not feel as if the process is properly looking after them and ensuring their voice is heard. Will the Minister commit to speaking to both Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds t…”

“I thank the Minister for her response. My constituent Ruth Wake, who lives in Brewood, was tragically diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in January last year. She has gone through chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, and while she has made good process and is in remission, sadly the stem cell transplant has fai…”

“The diplomatic service code states that diplomats’ “behaviour, action or inaction must not significantly disrupt or damage the performance or reputation of the Diplomatic Service.” It also states that diplomats “must…set out the facts and relevant issues truthfully, and correct any errors as soon as possible”. In the l…”