Speeches by Smyth.

“I know I have answered some questions on that particular issue, but as Tom alluded to, it is about going to someone else in the time, and making sure that we get the answer back correctly. Obviously, we have a lot of arm’s length bodies, NHS England being the largest. The questions go out to local systems, if it is a p…”

“I am very happy to take that. I have answered questions and/or correspondence, but absolutely take that if people are not feeling that there is something. We know that your purview is not correspondence, but there are some backlogs and things that have not come out properly. We are conscious of that as MPs, because obv…”

“I stand to be corrected, but I don’t think we know the answer to your first point, because I am not sure we have done that, so let me come back to you on that, if that is okay. On your second point, that is a good challenge. This is all public, so everyone can see what questions have been asked. As I said earlier, it d…”

“The Secretary of State, in his April letter, alluded to being very keen on that and to working with the Committee and Parliament on how best to do that. We are very open to suggestions from the Committee afterwards, or to discussing that.”

“Shall I take that last bit first? You are absolutely right to point out your experience. I think it is happening less, as hopefully after nine months in the job one gets a bit better, and people get more used to my own style, and the issues, the change of policy, and so on. As I have said a number of times, we are chan…”

“It is a good example, and I would certainly be conscious of that when we are looking at oversight. I don’t see those directly because it is not my area, but as Tom says, it is about where the gap is. People absolutely need to have that information that is not available somewhere else, so that we don’t lose that in the …”

“I think that is right. I think there will be others, though, that come out. We all have our pets, don’t we? That is one of the joys of Parliament. So there will be others that come out that are new, where information perhaps isn’t in the public domain, isn’t as clear, and it is right that Members of Parliament have acc…”

“Yes. We will get to you by recess, with, as a result of today, any other suggestions that you wish to make—if there are any other observations, we would be very happy to receive those—and any other questions that we haven’t answered, and make sure that we match that volume to supply issue and take on board some of thos…”

“We were looking at each other then. We are absolutely aiming for that target; we are writ large against that, and I will be looking at all those areas, and the areas that I don’t know, to absolutely get through the process. If the volume remains the same—and within some of the things we are putting in place that remain…”

“It is quite competitive in the ministerial team.”

“I can, but if it is in order, I would like briefly to make a few comments. I am really pleased to be here this afternoon. You said that WPQs are an important tool for parliamentarians. I absolutely get that, and the Secretary of State absolutely gets that; we understand how important it is for us all as MPs to respond …”

“Driving down waiting times is one of this Government’s top priorities, and my colleagues at NHS England continue to keep in regular contact with ICBs on improving waiting times and delivering the ambitions set out in our elective reform plan. Since July, we have cut waiting lists by more than 219,000 across England, an…”

“I congratulate the hon. Member on taking forward that work. The Minister responsible will be happy to continue to work with him in any way possible to support that work on this important aspect of parenthood.”

“I absolutely join my hon. Friend in recognising the importance of supporting women’s health throughout pregnancy and into parenthood on Maternal Mental Health Day. We are committed to improving the support available, and it will form an important part of our 10-year plan. We are investing £126 million in family hubs an…”

“I commend my hon. Friend for her work on such an important topic; I know it is very personal to her. Specialist perinatal and maternity mental health services are available across England, providing vital support to parents before, during and after pregnancy, including increased access to evidence-based psychological t…”

“My hon. Friend is right to campaign on behalf of her constituents to make sure that more services are delivered in communities. We want to see services brought out of hospital and into local communities. It is up to the ICB to decide how those are commissioned, but we will certainly make sure that, as part of our commi…”

“The hon. Member tempts me slightly on local accountability, on which he has been a strong campaigner. As he knows from meeting me, I agree that it is important that such local bodies respond properly so that where there are expansions of housing, which we want to see, they are supported by local infrastructure. I am ha…”

“Our mission-driven approach to this issue means that we are working with all Departments to deliver an NHS fit for the future. We expect integrated care boards to work closely with their mayors to maximise public health and contribute to the Government’s health and growth missions.”

“To be clear for the shadow Secretary of State, the Secretary of State is continuing to look at all those recommendations and consider how best to respond.”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight that point, which has been found in all the reviews that have been undertaken. It is completely unacceptable. That is why the Secretary of State has continued to meet families and hear their experiences to ensure that we learn from them, continue to support the implementa…”