W/C 4th July
On Monday there was a Ministerial Statement from the Prime Minister about the NATO, G7 and Commonwealth summits. I asked what consideration had been given to possible risks of entering into trade deals with Taiwan and potentially antagonising China. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
W/C 11th July
Monday began with a Westminster Hall debate on Queen’s Guard bearskin ceremonial caps, which was prompted by an online petition to call for a switch from real Canadian black bear pelts to faux fur. I made two interventions here, firstly to make a speech in support of the petition and highlight the work of PETA and ECOPEL in creating a faux fur version of the cap, and to request a meeting between the two companies and the relevant MoD Ministers. You can find a transcript of both of my contributions here and here in Hansard and here and here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by a second Westminster Hall debate to discuss dolphin and whale hunting in the Faroe Islands, again prompted by an online petition. I made an intervention to ask what the Government were doing to encourage an end to these hunts. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv
On Tuesday I took part in a debate on the Restoration and Renewal of Westminster Palace. Here I made a speech about this landmark building and its historical significance as a UNESCO world heritage site, highlighting the need for a strategy to restore the building without unnecessary cost to the taxpayer and minimal disruption to members. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard or watch it on ParliamentTv.
Wednesday began with Oral Questions to the Minister for Women and Equalities, the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP. Here I questioned what steps had been taken to encourage women and girls into STEM careers and how the Government plan to level the playing field for women and ethnic minorities with regards to accessing research grants. You can read a transcript of my contributions here and here, or watch here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by Urgent Questions regarding the escalating crisis in Sri Lanka. I took the opportunity to ask about emergency access to medical treatment after reports that doctors in the country were sourcing supplies via social media. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Thursday began with Oral Questions to the Cabinet Office, where I had the opportunity to ask about the progress made on giving further statutory standing to the veteran’s covenant. You can read a transcript of my contribution and the response here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by Business Questions where I asked about the Department for Work and Pensions referring individuals back to their MP’s office after an unfavourable decision. You can read a transcript of my question and the response here in Hansard, or watch it on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon there was a debate to mark Srebrenica Memorial week, observing 27 years since the genocide of 8000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces. I took the chance to make a speech remembering those events and considering how we can learn from them in order to prevent such incidents happening in the future. You can read a transcript of this in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.