Speeches by Kirkham.

“I thank the Minister for his focus on securing UK private investment in critical minerals—it is fantastic to see. I know the Secretary of State agrees that Cornwall is vital for future UK energy security. One test and demo model in the Celtic sea has come forward in auction round 7, but I want to ask the Secretary of S…”

“Looking at amendment 11’s proposed new section 343AZC of the 2006 Act, I am not sure whether there may be a drafting error. EHCPs are normally given to the child, not the parent, and the proposed new section is drafted as if the plan will be awarded to the parent.”

“indicated assent.”

“I understand exactly what the hon. Member is saying about the waits; the average waiting time for a diagnosis has now gone up to nine years and four months. Where I am from in Cornwall, an endo café has been set up. I went to it once, and it was heartbreaking to be told so many stories about waits for surgeries and dia…”

“Will the right hon. Member give way?”

“I have great sympathy with what the right hon. Member is saying. We face this issue all over the country, particularly in Cornwall. However, he will be aware that the amendment may be out of date soon because the Government are introducing new SEN reforms that will introduce national standards, so hopefully it will no …”

“Of course, superfast satellite wi-fi has been tested on our part of the line. Although we have slow trains, we have the opportunity for fast wi-fi to be rolled out, so that while people will be sat on their trains for five and a half hours, they can at least work or watch a film.”

“I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman would spare a thought for those even further south-west—nearly 1 million people in Plymouth and Cornwall struggle when there is a storm that affects their one line in and out of Cornwall. Would the Minister consider Great British Railways, when it is set up, having recourse to look a…”

“Do you think people are receptive to that? It has become something that is quite ingrained that you go and get your flea treatment and treat your animal. Would it affect your business?”

“It is not that. If they are owned by a bigger company who have shareholders, they will want dividends on top of the people who work in the practices. I suppose it is that extra layer that I am thinking about.”

“It is changing fast.”

“It is just because the VMD road map is quite slow. What you seem to be saying is that you could look now, because the evidence is there, to move to some of the different ways and even prescribing.”

“I have had a lot of contact from constituents—and I think other MPs have as well—about watercourses and waterways and the impact of flea and tick treatments on them, particularly those that we regularly use on pets. The VMD has come up with a road map, which has short term, medium term and long term aims, but it is qui…”

“I want to quickly return to corporate ownership, because that is quite striking. I used to be a lawyer, and in law and other professions that has not happened to the same extent. I want to ask you a bit more about that, because obviously that would introduce another layer—a kind of profit motive—that was not there befo…”

“That is good. I will move on then.”

“So you all feel the same?”

“The first question is: how effective is the Veterinary Medicines Directorate at delivering its statutory obligations, whether that be on regulation, authorisation or monitoring of medicines? Do you think it is doing a good job? How do you get on with the directorate?”

“Yes. That kind of thing, and the labelling and everything else, would need to change too. Thank you very much.”

“In its communication with you, the way that it deals with vets and the cultural way that it does things, would you say that it is working well?”

“It is really good to see the Government prioritising people in distress in rural and coastal areas. My question is slightly separate. It is about listed buildings and conservation area properties, and how those people struggle to insulate their homes because of planning rules. Does the Department have any plans to do s…”