Speeches by Barker.

“I place on record that my thoughts are with the women and girls who were victims of Epstein and his cronies. I am also deeply concerned for those who suffered incredible loss through the financial crisis in 2008. This House is at its best when we can find common ground and put aside party politics for the good of our c…”

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

“While I am looking forward to the statement a little later from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I would like to push him, if I may. I recently visited one of my local pubs, the Masonic Arms on Lark Lane—which is a fantastic venue—and met Guy and Amelia. Currently, the overall sector picks up 2.8% of UK busines…”

“I wish your leg a speedy recovery, Mr Speaker. I recently visited the wonderful Aura salon in my constituency and spoke to the owners Victoria and Janet, who have owned the business for 24 years and are the hub of their local community. They have invested in and trained numerous young hair stylists but now their busine…”

“4. Whether she plans to increase the level of small business rates relief for the hair and beauty sector.”

“Order. May I bring the shadow Minister back to the issue of play, please?”

“Order. After the next speaker, there will be a formal time limit of three minutes.”

“Many happy returns to your son.”

“Order. I am sorry, but I am going to have to take the limit down to three and a half minutes. It is an informal limit; if we can stick to it, I will not have to impose a formal limit.”

“Before I call the next speaker, I suggest an informal time limit of four minutes per speaker, because of the popularity of this important debate. I hope that Members will help each other out by keeping speeches to four minutes, please.”

“Order. I ask the shadow Minister to bring his remarks back to the petition, please.”

“I pay tribute to the families, some of whom are in the Public Gallery; to Elkan Abrahamson and Pete Weatherby KC, who have done phenomenal work for the past 37 years; and of course, to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby (Ian Byrne), and to the Minister for the work that she has done on this. While I am …”

“As the Minister alluded to, British taxpayers have witnessed atrocities committed by Israeli authorities in Gaza and then acted by donating to NGOs that are ordinarily able to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid there. However, Israeli authorities continue to impede full humanitarian access, leaving aid paid for by th…”

“Compliance with international law is not an either/or, and I am extremely concerned that the action of the United States shows utter disdain for international law and leaves enormous uncertainty over the future of Venezuela. It removes a leader whose rule was corrupt and cruel, but rather than celebrating, many people …”

“It is entirely up to you.”

“On a point of clarity, you said that you were appointed midway into this; just remind us of your appointment date, please.”

“The Speaker’s Counsel pointed out that the proper mechanism to challenge a report with which you disagree is through a political process and PACAC. You have spoken to this quite a bit, but is there anything else that you wish to add about why you did not think that was sufficient? I just want to make sure that you have…”

“Do you appreciate that whether contempt has been committed or not is a matter for the House, rather than you?”

“Do you accept that the effect of your action would have been to prevent the House from receiving information from a statutory body that sought to provide it? This follows on from Mr Snell’s question earlier.”

“In your letter on 4 July to Speaker’s Counsel, Mr Rechtman writes that your conduct cannot amount to contempt of Parliament. What internal discussions took place when the possibility that you may be committing contempt was raised with you?”