Speeches by Gibson.

“Mary, do you know of similar projects?”

“Graham, I do not know whether there is anything in your coastal areas that is similar.”

“Thank you. I see what you mean. It is about trying to get them to form a very specific and visible group, to give more trust and more transparency. Can I ask Tracey what value that local knowledge can bring to the flood risk planning and response? How can volunteer networks and flood groups be better supported to contr…”

“To follow up on the Chair’s point about community engagement in flood risk management, I represent Chippenham, which is a constituency that floods regularly. I live in Bradford-on-Avon, which is an area at low level. In the most recent floods, it was the community emergency volunteers who made all the difference. They …”

“I am aware that our flood warden was trained by the Environment Agency, and I am absolutely not criticising the local Environment Agency officers and wardens in my area, in any way. They work tirelessly and are incredibly accessible. It is just about this disconnect that people feel in the case of emergency, and this k…”

“Would it be sensible if the other 90% of the country—or at least those of us who flood but do not have drainage associations—had an overarching body that would address some of the concerns of local Environment Agency officers? Is that what you are suggesting? Those concerns could then be taken through to a slightly mor…”

“We have not quite decided which is the lead authority yet, have we?”

“I recently met a group of farmers and landowners in my constituency: the Bremhill Vales Farmers Group, who work with another group called BremZero. What is really interesting is that they are working with the Environment Agency on a project called Wiltshire Rural Run-off, where, as landowners, they are looking at mitig…”

“Although I am extremely excited about any future and new trade deals the UK might have across the globe, I am a little worried that we are back to Brexit benefits, which we did not quite see. We have to be realistic: our businesses need continuity and clarity, and I believe that the Bill provides them. It would have be…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. This is only my second Bill Committee, so please accept my apologies if I fail in any of the protocol. I want to make a small point on our new clause 9, which interestingly, being on the subject of the EU, is grouped with amendments tabled by the official Opp…”

“I beg to move amendment 38, in clause 1, page 1, line 14, at end insert— “(3A) Further, the Secretary of State may only make regulations under subsections (1) or (2) if satisfied that making the regulations will not result in reducing the necessary levels of consumer protection and regulatory standards in relation to p…”

“Given that the Government feel that this issue is captured elsewhere, I am happy to withdraw the amendment. However, further work needs to be done to ensure that third parties that are involved are given the protection that they need. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. Given that addressing the changes in retail, especially the rise of online marketing, is an important part of the Bill, I feel that the clause is vital, and I will support it. It is slightly sad that colleagues on the Opposition Benches allow their ideology reg…”

“With that in mind, I will be happy to withdraw the amendment and therefore new clause 12, but as soon as Royal Assent is received, I will remind the Minister of exactly what he has said today. I will bring the subject up again. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment prop…”

“Thank you, Chair. I am actually Sarah Gibson.”

“Amendment 35 is a technical amendment that introduces a provision for product recall, which is set out in new clause 12. The new clause would establish a robust and centralised product recall system that truly protects consumers when safety risks arise. The current product recall landscape is fragmented, inconsistent a…”

“I thank the Minister. I have served on a Bill Committee with him before, and he knows how to appeal to the technical side of my expertise. He gave a compelling example, and I thank him for his consideration. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”

“I beg to move amendment 36, in clause 2, page 3, line 6, at end insert— “(2A) Product regulations must include requirements in relation to an environmental impact assessment, and provisions related to the right to repair and the circular economy.” This amendment guarantees that future regulations under the Act will inc…”

“As Liberal Democrats, we are clear that the circular economy is not just a sustainability concept; it is a practical, forward-looking economic model that responds to the urgent challenges of waste, resource scarcity and climate change. At its core, the circular economy is about keeping resources in use for as long as p…”

“I thank the Minister for his response. Given that work is being done elsewhere on the circular economy, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”