I started Monday with a Westminster Hall debate on Human Rights Legislation Reform, prompted by an e-petition expressing concerns that important aspects of the Human Rights Act may be repealed. I made two interventions in this debate. The first to question if the savings made by eliminating trivial human rights claims was proportionate to the weakening of important rights for citizens across the UK, and the second to ask what consideration there had been for the opposition shown by the Scottish Government to these planned changes. You can read a transcript of my contributions here and here in Hansard, or watch them here and here on ParliamentTv.
Tuesday was a busy day, starting off with a Westminster Hall debate on Baby Loss and Safe Staffing in Maternity Care as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week. This is a topic that many of my constituents have contacted me about, so I took the opportunity to highlight the findings of an APPG report which showed that post-natal care was suffering due to staff shortages after cuts to services. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. I asked how the Government planned to support charities such as Cancer Research UK to carry on the vital work that they do, as well as continuing to contribute economic growth. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
In the early afternoon, I participated in an Urgent Question to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Developmental Affairs regarding the situation in Iran. Here I took the chance to highlight the plight of teachers caught up in the ongoing violence in the region and the human rights abuses which are occurring. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Later that day I took part in a debate on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill and questioned potential new powers which will be granted by this Bill, that will allow the UK Government to bypass consent from the Devolved Administrations. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
On Wednesday morning there was a Westminster Hall debate on Global Food Security. Here I made two contributions, firstly to draw attention to the difficulties that smaller rural farms have with overcoming poverty, and also to highlight the monopoly that two companies have on the global commercial seed market and the impact this has on food security. You can read a transcript of my comments here and here in Hansard, and here and here on ParliamentTv.
Thursday began with Oral Questions to the Cabinet Office. I took the opportunity to ask about the relocation of jobs to Cabinet Office’s Glasgow HQ and if, as a result, there would be more high-quality apprenticeships available for the local communities as a result. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
I also had the chance to ask what consideration there had been around recruitment to ensure that there are sufficient staff to deliver the aims of The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
During Business Questions, I called on the house to join me in congratulating Bonnie Blantyre and pals on their gold horticulture award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. I also took the chance to request a debate to highlight the importance of local biodiversity. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.