Speeches by Shannon.

“I thank the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Julia Buckley) for setting the scene, and I convey my sympathies to the families in the Gallery on the loss of their young ones. I am very sorry to hear of the horrific accident that occurred in north Wales where four young boys died. I am concerned to put forward the issues rela…”

“First of all, Chair, it is a real pleasure to be here and thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to request another debate. I chair the all-party parliamentary group on vascular and venous disease, so CVD prevention across the United Kingdom is an issue that I am very keen on. It is a good opportunity to loo…”

“Chair, I am very much anti-drugs, but I understand the issues. There is a prevalence of drug consumption across the whole of the United Kingdom, and it is prevalent in my constituency of Strangford as well, even if it is the underbelly of what is perhaps happening. The reason why I hope to have the debate is that we wa…”

“I think it has to be Health and Social Care again. That is my understanding, because it is a NICE recommendation that will drive the process.”

“Yes, I would be able to do that. May I ask a quick question? On the Blair Mayne debate that I asked for in the Chamber, there is an anniversary coming up on 8 April that is specific to him. Could we get that debate before the recess? I will leave that with the Committee; I understand that it was not on the agenda. I me…”

“The WASPI women are watching, so all MPs would be wise to vote.”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“I thank the Minister for setting the scene so positively. Does he agree that one of the great benefits of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is that all the cultures and regions come together? If I have the chance, later I will talk about Northern Ireland’s contribution. We can all gain if we wor…”

“I commend the hon. Member on securing this debate, and I share his concerns. In my constituency and the neighbouring one, units in North Down and Ards were closed and moved to Dundonald, putting pressure on that hospital. At the A&E at Dundonald—perhaps Solihull is the same—patients have to wait 14 hours to be seen…”

“The issue is in Kent and in Strangford, Mr Speaker. The Minister is right to respond on the importance of disability and family hubs in Kent, and in Northern Ireland we have a commitment to the very same process. Has she had an opportunity to discuss the ways forward here with those in Northern Ireland, so that we can …”

“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was expecting to be tail-end Charlie again. The creative industry has many facets from practical to digital and, as I mentioned in my intervention on the Minister, Northern Ireland excels in all of them. The Minister kindly responded in a very positive fashion, realising that each reg…”

“rose—”

“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am the new Member for many places. I thank the Minister very much for his answers. I ask him very respectfully whether he agrees that the story in the press this week about the proposed sale of Navy ships to Brazil, when our fleet already appears depleted, is worrying? There is a need…”

“I thank the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for his clear commitment to making things better. Northern Ireland and Strangford has been in the eye of the storm, and over the weekend it was incredible. There were whole villages with no electricity, including Ballywalter, Greyabbey and Kircubbin, as well as parts of …”

“It is important, as the hon. Lady has underlined, that we move forward together. She has not mentioned the National Farmers Union. Can she reassure me and others in the House that the National Farmers Union, and the Ulster Farmers Union in Northern Ireland, are happy with the Bill and accept the impact that its proposa…”

“I thank the Minister for a very positive statement—it is always good to have positive statements, and today is one of those occasions. It is great news to hear of the wonderful investment, which is needed to shore up not only defence but our manufacturing industry. Looking at the job allocation, I see that there are 80…”

“rose—”

“Will the hon. Lady give way?”

“I thank the Minister for a comprehensive response and, as importantly, for giving hope to all those people affected. That assures people and gives them confidence through their elected representatives in this House. In Northern Ireland, we have the affordable warmth scheme, which is different, but the goals are the sam…”

“It is a real pleasure to ask the Leader of the House a question on an issue of urgent concern—such questions may be similar, but they are none the less important. There has been an alarming, violent increase in the number of killings of Christians in Nigeria; there were 63 deaths between 27 November and 25 December alo…”