Speeches by Asser.

“Thank you. That was very helpful and interesting.”

“This is the last question, so we will give you a chance to indulge your ideas and dreams on this one. The types of call list used during the covid-19 pandemic were necessarily formulaic, because of the conditions of the time and their aim of restricting physical participation in the main Chamber, but today you have the…”

“We will take that criticism on the chin.”

“Thank you. That was very helpful and interesting.”

“This is the last question, so we will give you a chance to indulge your ideas and dreams on this one. The types of call list used during the covid-19 pandemic were necessarily formulaic, because of the conditions of the time and their aim of restricting physical participation in the main Chamber, but today you have the…”

“I join other Members in expressing sympathy to all those who have been affected, and in thanking the emergency services, members of the public who got involved, and of course the train crew, who acted heroically to protect their passengers. Given the developments today, and the Home Secretary’s statement on the inciden…”

“This question is mainly for Saira, but it flows nicely from what you were just telling us. Several submissions to the inquiry have recommended moving the sub judice resolution into closer alignment with the Contempt of Court Act 1981. You have touched on this, but could you outline how that scheme works and the differe…”

“I want to come on to the powers of the Speaker, which we touched on earlier when we were talking about contempt of court—the very great differences in punishments. What are the powers of the Speaker to deal with breaches of the sub judice resolution, and do you think they are sufficient?”

“Do you think that using previous waivers as a sort of framework or explanation, so that we have an idea, may be a way of dealing with that? I am talking about a sort of case history.”

“The Government’s written evidence suggested that the Speaker’s Office publish guidance on when a waiver might be granted. Taking into account the nuance of the last answer and the fact that it is case by case, do you think this would be helpful and possibly doable, given what you have just said about how they are grant…”

“That makes perfect sense. Thank you.”

“I have in my constituency a very well-established funeral director that operates in a large area and has been around since the Victorian era, and many other Members will have similar firms in their areas. The hon. Gentleman has talked about the trade bodies. Does he agree that such long-established family firms have a …”

“Do you think there would be any risks with a fixed term? It sounds like not, but I will give you the chance to say whether there are any risks associated with a determined period.”

“Do you have any views on whether all the Chair posts should be part of the process of being elected at the start of a Parliament? For example, should the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee be elected to serve for the whole Parliament, or continue to be elected on a sessional basis?”

“We touched on the canvassing and electioneering in the Chair elections, which I think was a delight for all of us. We all know how it feels to live in a parliamentary by-election in terms of leaflets. This question is mainly to Stephen and Mark. Following the election last year, we had a uniquely long campaign period b…”

“Point taken. [Laughter.]”

“Ellie, we have heard about Northern Ireland, but we are keen to hear about your experience of dealing with published call lists in the European Parliament. Could you outline how they worked there and how you found them?”

“It is a reasonable point.”

“My hon. Friend mentions gradual change, which was apparently the policy of the Conservative party. Does he agree that a six-month temporary arrangement that takes a quarter of a century to overturn is the epitome of gradual?”

“I thank the Minister for joining me at Curwen primary school in Plaistow recently to see its excellent early years education work. He heard from parents about the struggles they often face as a result of serious economic and housing hardship. Will he assure my constituents that the Government will look at communities l…”