Speeches by Cross.

“Of course, we cannot ignore the events of recent days in the middle east and the impact on oil and gas prices and supply. However, those events make it more obvious why we should be preserving and making the most of the supply and production we have in the North sea. The oil goes into the European market—not through th…”

“More than 38,000 people are employed on Welsh farms, the food and farming sector is worth £9 billion to the Welsh economy, and 90% of land is given over to farming, yet in 2025 alone, more than 400 farming businesses closed in Wales. Given the importance of farming to Wales, when did the Wales Office last make represen…”

“I thank the hon. Lady for securing this debate. I completely agree that the oil and gas sector is vital, and that we must secure the workforce in our energy industries, but I would like some clarity on the Liberal Democrats’ position. My understanding is that they support Labour’s ban on new licences, and that they had…”

“The OBR’s forecast has again downgraded oil and gas revenue. From March to November last year, it was downgraded by over 41%, and from November to March this year, it has been downgraded by another 20%. By 2030, we are now expecting only £100 million in tax returns from the oil and gas industry, which used to return bi…”

“T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”

“Inverurie medical practice in my constituency saw its national insurance bill rise by £75,000 thanks to this Government. That has put huge pressure on the practice, which was already operating with one GP for 3,000 patients, which is three times higher than the British Medical Association recommends. When did the Secre…”

“The Prime Minister has today said that the independent ethics adviser will now investigate. Is this not another example of how poor his judgment is? Initially saying that the Cabinet Office could investigate someone who is now a Cabinet Office Minister was ludicrous; that was never going to be independent or comprehens…”

“The Minister said that he and the Government want to comply fully, transparently and as quickly as possible with the Humble Address. I think we can all agree that is exactly what they should be doing, but when things will be released is a vital question. The documents should be released as quickly as possible, as he sa…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. I thank the hon. Member for Southport (Patrick Hurley) and congratulate him on securing this important debate. Getting people into work should be a core priority for any Government and I know Members across the House share that view. I, and the Conservativ…”

“Thank you, Mr Speaker. “Our Governments seem stricken, almost delusional, in the face of onrushing disaster,” and we are seeing “arguably the most destructive industrial calamity in our nation’s history”. Those are the words of the GMB’s Scotland Secretary about the Government’s determination to tax and regulate the oi…”

“T5. Girls were raped and abused by grooming gangs in Scotland just as they were in England and Wales, yet girls in Scotland are excluded from the grooming gangs inquiry. Girls, no matter where they are in the UK, must get justice, and rapists, no matter where they are in the UK, must face the consequences. In response …”

“That was an even higher price.”

“Whether in the short term or the long term—ideally both—how do you see the impact of renewables changing as more wind comes on? The average electricity price last year was about £80 per megawatt-hour. We have just signed on to AR7 at £95 per megawatt-hour for wind, but that does not include things such as the grid, bal…”

“As my hon. Friend says, the Prime Minister knew, but he also stood at the Dispatch Box in September and said that he had “full confidence” in Peter Mandelson—Lord Mandelson—knowing what he knew. Does my hon. Friend not find that extraordinary?”

“Who would cover the cost for the proposed debt write-off?”

“Does that £20 a year include the impact of having to pay for curtailment payments? We paid £1.5 billion last year in curtailment payments.”

“In your opinion, how will the expansion of renewables across the UK and within our energy mix impact either electricity pricing or industrial electricity pricing going forward?”

“Let us suppose that the Minister was appointing a new member of staff and he knew that a candidate had twice lost his job in the past because of misdemeanours. If he also knew that that candidate had continued a relationship with a convicted paedophile, would the Minister give him a job?”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that, if she struggles today to get answers to those very basic and straightforward questions, we can draw our own conclusions as to the answers?”

“So it is not a plan with a plan behind it. You just think the debt should be written off, but who pays for that, and where the cost ultimately lands, has not been considered.”