Speeches by Martin.

“Does the shadow Secretary of State think that the Conservative-designed and implemented Brexit is good for markets, good for business, and good for growth?”

“The MOD’s mission statement talks about global military tasks.”

“As you know, Professor Chalmers, the Defence Nuclear Organisation used to be funded by the Treasury and about a decade ago it was brought into the MOD budget. For obvious reasons, it is ringfenced, because it is nuclear; we do not want accidents and all the rest of it, so it must be funded properly. To what degree do y…”

“The Government are talking about “NATO first” as a cornerstone of their approach to defence. Is the UK currently fulfilling its commitments to NATO? If not, could you illustrate with some examples where we are falling short of our commitments? These are all already agreed, right? We have already agreed to provide certa…”

“On transparency, this is about not just the equipment budget, but readiness. Ten years ago, this Committee and Parliament would have readiness figures. That is exactly what the US Congress gets, as do other nations in similar positions. If, as a whole, we take the assertion that the MOD has become less transparent towa…”

“Why do you think it has happened, if you were hypothesising?”

“My constituent Suzie waited for an education, health and care plan for her son Harrison for 42 weeks. By law, they have to be provided within 20 weeks, so Conservative-run Kent county council took more than twice the amount of time that it should have done. When it came, it was full of mistakes, and Harrison is now in …”

“6. What steps her Department is taking to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.”

“Does the shadow Minister think that the Conservative party is missing the point of this debate by seeking to score political points?”

“As we approach remembrance, we often think of one person—perhaps a friend who has died in conflict, or if we have served, perhaps comrades, or perhaps a great-grandparent we never met but whose memory looms large in our family lore. We often remember one person, and this year as we remember, I will be thinking of Luke …”

“I was a brand-new parent when South East Water cut off the water for six days for me and for thousands of my constituents. South East Water is 74% in debt—it is the second most indebted company in the land. Its current investment plans rely on taking on more debt, which is then paid for through increased customer bills…”

“Do the Government think that Ukraine is winning or losing?”

“In 2023, the Home Office commissioned the Fairfield review into the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It deemed the delays in the IOPC as “unacceptable”. Indeed, one of my constituents has been waiting a year after the death of her daughter to have a case officer assigned. Does the Home Secretary agree with the re…”

“Why did the previous Government shift funding from secondary care to primary care, despite saying that they would do the exact opposite?”

“I thank the right hon. Lady for giving way. Some 25% of Conservative MPs are landlords. Does that have any bearing on the Conservative party’s position on the Bill?”

“On that point, will the right hon. Lady give way?”

“My predecessor Greg Clark brought a Bill before the House to make it illegal to harass women in public. The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill received Royal Assent in September last year, but the Act is not in force because the Secretary of State needs to pass a statutory instrument to make regulation…”

“11. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on violence against women and girls.”

“How many prisoners are going to be released today in Kent, and can the Secretary of State guarantee that none of them will be homeless within a month?”

“We have had some very strong words from the Foreign Secretary today about the need for this war to end, and we have heard how important a ceasefire is for that, and I take him at his word. Looking forward, however, what levers does he have, and when will he pull them?”