Monday began with Oral Questions to the Home Secretary where I took the opportunity to ask about the new National Security Bill and the potential dangers posed to freedom of the press. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv
This was followed by an Urgent Question regarding the UK and NATO’s military commitments to Ukraine. I questioned the Minister on economic ties between China and Russia in the wake of sanctions imposed following the invasion into Ukraine. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon, Members debated an animal welfare e-petition in Westminster Hall, calling for the practice of cages being used to restrain livestock to be ended. As this is an issue that a number of my constituents have contacted me about, I made a speech highlighting some of their concerns on issues such as caging of laying hens. You may read a transcript of this on Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv .
Tuesday began with a Westminster Hall debate to mark World Press Freedom Day 2022. I made a speech to pay tribute to journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian journalist and Human Rights Activist who was murdered in 2006. You can read a Transcript of that speech here in Hansard and you can watch my contribution and the whole debate on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon there was an Opposition debate on the issue of access to health, in particular GP services and NHS dentistry. While this is a devolved issue, I brought up the matter of cost of NHS dentistry services and you can read a transcript of my query in Hansard and you can watch my contribution and the entire debate here on ParliamentTv.
Wednesday started with another Westminster Hall debate on Homes for Ukraine focussing on child refugees and unaccompanied minors. I made two interventions to highlight the case of 15 year old Nataliia, a young Ukrainian girl with sponsors in my constituency, who struggled to obtain a visa as an unaccompanied minor and to question the Government’s next steps regarding this. You can find both of my contributions here and here in Hansard or you can watch the whole debate here on ParliamentTv. You might also be interested in a piece I wrote on the case and my experiences with the Home Office while trying to resolve it, which you can read here.
Later that afternoon there was a Ministerial Statement from the Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, regarding retained EU laws. I asked about the effect that proposed reforms would have on laws such as the 1974 Consumer Credit Act. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTV.
Following this, there was a Westminster Hall debate on Anti-Semitism and other racism in football. I questioned what UEFA were doing to deter racist behaviour amongst fans. You can read a transcript of my query here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTV
On Thursday morning during questions with the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body I asked about restoration works currently taking place in Parliament and how historically significant stonework and artwork is to be protected. You can read both of my contributions here and here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTV.
An Urgent Question was granted on British council contractors in Afghanistan. I spoke to highlight the plight of those still in Afghanistan and asked what the government planned to do to help them. You can read a transcript of my question and the response in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Weekly Business Questions followed and here I took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of young boxer Jacob Naismith from Blantyre who won in the final of the GB Three Nations boxing tournament. You can see my contribution here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv.