Speeches by Perteghella.

“I will address these amendments as two separate groups. Amendments 14 and 15 are simple and, in combination, would ensure that the definition of a “neighbourhood area”, which is important in this clause, is decided by the effective local authority and not by the Secretary of State. In these amendments we are again tryi…”

“In my constituency, Stratford-on-Avon district council will be abolished. I worked as a district councillor there, and I know how close district councillors are to their communities. They know their area best, and all that expertise and knowledge will be wiped out. Residents are really worried. For example, they do not…”

“I would like to press the amendment to a vote, because it is important to mandate that the Secretary of State consider these criteria. They will have many proposals from the same area, so these criteria would give guidance on how we can keep the cohesion of communities that hon. Members have discussed before. Question …”

“The next question is about the international education strategy, of which the Government have promised reform or a review. What should be in such a strategy?”

“Before we go to Rachel, because I was not here at the beginning, I need to declare that I worked as a university lecturer before being elected to the House.”

“I want to look briefly at international students in the context of the UK’s immigration policies. The Government have expressed a wish to reduce net migration. How can they do that while not only ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the higher education sector, but ensuring that the international standing…”

“I want to look briefly at international students in the context of the UK’s immigration policies. The Government have expressed a wish to reduce net migration. How can they do that while not only ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the higher education sector, but ensuring that the international standing…”

“Some students do not go back because they go on to a postgraduate and PhD route. That is how scholarship works. They could be offered a scholarship to stay on because of their contribution to research. Universities work in a different way. They are places of scholarship. They are places of research. They are places of …”

“Some students do not go back because they go on to a postgraduate and PhD route. That is how scholarship works. They could be offered a scholarship to stay on because of their contribution to research. Universities work in a different way. They are places of scholarship. They are places of research. They are places of …”

“The next question is about the international education strategy, of which the Government have promised reform or a review. What should be in such a strategy?”

“Before we go to Rachel, because I was not here at the beginning, I need to declare that I worked as a university lecturer before being elected to the House.”

“No, I do not accept that. We are saying that there have to be minimum standards for engagement. In fact, amendment 354, reinforced by amendment 357, would allow the Secretary of State to create guidance on minimum standards for engagement. It would then be up to the mayor, but at least the engagement with our first tie…”

“I am hearing a lot from the Labour Benches about there being 800 or 350 parish councils, so we cannot engage with them, but there are different ways to engage, such as online consultations or parish fora to which representatives and clerks can be invited. That the mayor cannot engage because there are so many parish co…”

“The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. If a district council is to be abolished, parish and town councils are asked to take on assets or sites that could be development sites, so they become stakeholders in the local growth plans. They will be the landowners, so not to engage with the parish and town councils that tak…”

“Local growth plans are rightly a key part of the devolution agenda, because the plans guide inward investment and set priorities for economic growth, as we have discussed, as well as development and regeneration in combined authority areas. We have already heard from the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion about the impo…”

“I beg to move amendment 359, in schedule 19, page 200, line 17, at end insert— “(2A) In preparing a local growth plan, a mayoral combined authority must make specific reference to the proposed benefits of the plan on areas which are rural, remote, or coastal.” This amendment would require local growth plans to make spe…”

“On country parks and forestry, charities that plant forests are providing apprenticeships because the number of our forest rangers has declined. After hearing about the post-16 education and skills strategy yesterday, it is really important to provide these apprenticeships and jobs in rural areas so that our young peop…”

“I beg to move amendment 352, in schedule 19, page 200, line 17, at end insert— “(d) include an overview of the views of town and parish councils in the local authority area about the plan.” This amendment would require information about the views of town and parish councils in the area about a mayoral combined authorit…”

“Amendment 358 would require a strategic authority to engage with town and parish councils when using its powers to encourage tourism. Tourism is a vital part of the economy for many local areas, supporting jobs, local businesses and community services. The Bill allows strategic authorities to exercise powers to encoura…”

“I would like to press amendment 359 to a vote. Question put, That the amendment be made.”