Speeches by McEvoy.

“Excellent. Mr Thwaite?”

“Great. Is that specifically to SMEs?”

“Great—thank you for that. Does anybody else have anything they want to add?”

“We definitely hear that a lot from constituents—that the valley of death is a problem. On that point, Government data says that just under 50% of SME loan applications are approved. Do you think that there is a risk problem from the big banks? Are you risk averse in lending to SMEs? Has that changed? What is going on t…”

“Thank you, Mr Thwaite. Mr Nunn?”

“On 6 May, Business Matters reported that “Senior figures from HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds” were attending a meeting with Ministers to discuss the Government’s growth strategy and getting more money into small and medium-sized enterprises. Were any of you at that meeting? Can you tell us a little bit about it? Do you know …”

“So do we. Can you give us a little bit more detail on those positive trends—some of the figures for that? What are we talking about?”

“In my constituency we have a statistically significant suicide rate; I have mentioned several times in this place that I know seven men who have taken their own life. Does my hon. Friend agree that while funding is important, early intervention and preventive care in mental health services is also really good money, we…”

“In January 1945 in Darlington, William McMullen, a Canadian air pilot, was flying a plane across the densely populated town when it set fire. He steered it away from the populated area and evacuated his six crew mates, unfortunately losing his life in the process. This act of heroism has not been recognised by the Cana…”

“Will the hon. Member give way?”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“Would my hon. Friend mind elaborating on the detail of the transferring of medical records? It is my understanding that someone can request their own medical records as a patient.”

“On that point of the risk appetite, I was guesting on the Business and Trade Committee with the National Wealth Fund CEO and he assured me that the risk appetite is high. I wonder whether you have any more technical specifications on the risk appetite, for the purpose of the Committee.”

“We have heard on the derisking point that it is really important that the National Wealth Fund derisk some of these key growth sectors. If you were in charge of it, would you derisk the projects now, at this time in the Parliament, to get out of the blocks and get these projects off the ground, and then wait for the re…”

“It is true, though, isn’t it? Spend the money.”

“It needs to be spent, does it not? That is the first metric of success.”

“Finally from me, on governance and value for money, the NWF’s predecessor, the UK Infrastructure Bank, lent £107 million to the Tees Valley Combined Authority in 2021. The Government have recently issued a best value notice on the back of that. Are there any lessons that you would recommend the National Wealth Fund tak…”

“We are hopeful that there will be some procurement changes around supply chains in the industrial strategy.”

“That is really interesting. On your point about the scale of pension funds, Mr Dharampal-Hornby, and the sheer scale of the pipeline projects, that flies in the face of it all being devolved to local authorities or some of the smaller regional mayoral authorities. I wonder what balance you think the National Wealth Fun…”

“Yes, always.”