Speeches by Stafford.

“The Government’s decision to extend the listed places of worship grant scheme for only 12 months, with a reduced budget and a new cap, has caused significant unease in my constituency and across the wider diocese. The rector of Farnham has expressed his concern over a nearby project that faces a massive £750,000 shortf…”

“7. Whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the extension of the listed places of worship grant scheme.”

“I am not sure that I entirely agree, but we will move on. Just so that I understand your background and context, do you or have you ever gambled?”

“I will let the other two witnesses answer the question but, in the context of the White Paper and what you have just been talking about—that, for some people, gambling is perfectly fine and you are not seeking to ban gambling—what are the top two priorities that you would like to see roll forward if the new Government …”

“I had another question on the levy, but I will hand over to Joe.”

“Before I ask some set questions, I want to follow up quickly on the point about children and young people. Where do you see parental responsibility coming into this?”

“I kind of get that, but my parents did not sit with me and say “Don’t smoke” throughout every single moment of the day; they did not give me cigarettes. They did not say “Don’t drink alcohol” when I was 11; they did not give me alcohol. My point is that we have talked about banning smartphones, but why would you not sa…”

“Why is it okay for you to do it but not for others?”

“I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and for securing this debate. He is absolutely right that branches are at the heart of the Royal British Legion, but so are the clubs. A number of clubs in my constituency, especially the Hindhead club in Beacon Hill, are under significant financial pressure due to increasing costs…”

“I am fascinated by the argument the hon. Member is developing. Could he point to anything significant that China is doing to reduce its footprint?”

“The Government have said they are going to cut the total number of staff at NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care by 50%. What impact might that have on frontline services and the staff who work on the frontline?”

“Just to push you, practically what?”

“Are you confident that the proposed changes will increase accountability, or do you have a fear that we may replace one bureaucracy with a new bureaucracy?”

“To pick up on your last point, the rationale behind the supposed merging is to remove duplication within the two organisations, which most people would agree with. There may be a lack of awareness that NHS England at the moment is not just a policymaking organisation. As you have mentioned, it is probably one of the la…”

“Looking at the potential opportunities that some of you have touched on, what few specific things would you like to see come out of the merging of the two organisations, practically, that would make lives better for staff and patients?”

“Thank you. You have all given me relatively broad “nice to haves”. I am not sure that I fully understand what it is you think NHS England or the Department of Health—whatever it is going to be called when merged—would actually do. I will ask the question a different way: what would you say is the primary purpose of thi…”

“Should it be this new organisation? Should it be the performance manager of primary care trusts, hospital trusts, mental health trusts, community settings and social care?”

“I shall leave it there because I am sure other colleagues will want to pick it up. Thank you very much.”

“Are you saying that you feel you could cut 100% of the Department and NHS England and the frontline would feel no impact? Alternatively, is it about reallocating what those two organisations do, or a combined organisation does, to make a bigger impact on the frontline service?”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered UK-China relations. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. I welcome the opportunity to raise in this House the opportunities and implications of our relationship with China. I declare an interest as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on Chi…”