Speeches by Lamont.

“I am grateful to the Secretary of State for her response. Thousands of children across the UK have been abused by grooming gangs, yet charities still warn of victim blaming by police and those in authority. We should be clear that the problem is not children; it is those who prey on them. What are the Government doing …”

“Under the SNP, the number of suspected criminals in Scotland being let off with a slap on the wrist has increased by 28% in a year, according to the latest data. Now the Labour Government here seem to want to copy the SNP. Why will the Labour Government not put victims first, instead of doing what they are doing now—le…”

“9. What steps her Department is taking to support victims of grooming gangs through the court system.”

“14. Whether she has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the national inquiry into grooming gangs.”

“Senior Scottish advocate Sandra Brown has said that grooming gangs could be operating in every town and city in Scotland. This scandal affects the whole of the United Kingdom, so when will the Government extend the grooming gangs inquiry to Scotland? Surely all victims across all parts of the United Kingdom deserve jus…”

“1. What steps the Commission is taking to increase the number of apprentices in the House of Commons.”

“Can we have a debate to recognise volunteers and fundraisers who support the work of hospices and help people living with cancer? I recently met the team at the Lavender Touch in Galashiels who have been supporting people across the Scottish Borders for over 20 years, funding and providing therapeutic treatment to brin…”

“I congratulate my hon. Friend on her report and her wonderful statement, as well as on all the work that has gone into the report behind the scenes. Public service broadcasters are struggling to compete with the massive budgets set by streamers, so what more can be done to ensure we see high-quality British drama and c…”

“I am grateful to the hon. Member for that answer. Everyone should have the potential to work in Parliament, not just those who live in and around London, so can he confirm how many apprentices have been recruited since the introduction of the UK Parliament’s apprenticeship scheme, and in particular how many were recrui…”

“Are you therefore confident that the data is being collected on a consistent basis across all parts of the UK?”

“In terms of the last census we had, there was a separate census in Scotland which was delayed due to covid, so that presented challenges. Can you reassure me that the next census will be done on a UK-wide basis, and there will be no opt outs of any of the devolved nations?”

“That was the example I used, but there are other examples that could easily be pulled out.”

“Just to go back to where I started, surely you would agree it is wrong that as a UK Member of Parliament I cannot get data that allows me to compare levels of child poverty between Liverpool and Dundee?”

“But surely it should not be a matter of what suits the policymakers and the decision makers. You rightly make the point that we have devolved Parliaments in this nation, but we are still part of the United Kingdom. When it comes to assessing how different parts of the United Kingdom are performing, surely we need a con…”

“That is my point. When I was trying to compare the levels of child poverty in Liverpool to Dundee, for example, that became an almost impossible task because of the lack of availability of data from Scotland. Do you agree that that is a problem?”

“Good morning to the witnesses. I suspect my question is temporarily taking this discussion on a slightly different angle. Sir Robert, you are chair of the UK Statistics Authority. Does the authority have a consistent approach in all parts of the UK in terms of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?”

“The award-winning bookshop and deli Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells has been forced to reduce its operating hours because “increases to employer national insurance mean that our operating cost base has increased significantly.” What advice does the Chancellor have for small businesses suffering because of thi…”

“T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.”

“My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Does he agree that the Labour Government’s proposals are creating the worst of both worlds? On one hand, they are failing to tackle the rising welfare budget, but on the other they are creating anxiety and fear among many disabled and vulnerable people, who do not understan…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 700036 relating to driven grouse shooting. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. As a member of the Petitions Committee, I have been asked to open this debate, and it is my duty to present the petition reasonably and fairly. After doing s…”