The week began on Monday with Oral Questions to the Department for Education. During topicals, I asked The Minister if there were any plans to reconsider the mandatory fitting of sprinkler systems into new build schools in England, as is already the case in Scotland. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by a statement from the Foreign Secretary on the execution of British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari in Iran. I asked the Minister if he had concerns about the impact of ongoing turmoil in the region on nuclear talks with Iran. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Later that afternoon, I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on commercial breeding for laboratories. I made a speech raising a number of issues with the morality of continuing with animal testing, the efficacy of any results in relation to treating humans and the unjustifiable use of tax-payers money to fund such research. You can find a transcript of my speech here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
On Tuesday, I took part in another Westminster Hall debate, this time on Child Maintenance Services. My office is currently dealing with a number of unresolved CMS cases, so I took the opportunity to make a speech highlighting some of these issues, as well as key areas of potential reform. You can read a transcript of my speech here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Wednesday began with the remaining stages of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, a piece of legislation that I have received a huge amount of correspondence from constituents about. I took the opportunity to raise the issue of how departments, such as Defra, would cope with the huge workload generated, combined with the short time frame for completion. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Thursday was a busy day, beginning with question to the Department for Transport. I highlighted measures being taken in Scotland to ease commuting costs and asked if similar were being considered by the UK Government as a potential step to tackling fare evasion. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by an Urgent Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Here I expressed disappointment at the bid from my constituency’s local authority had been unsuccessful, which sought funding to help remediate the contaminated land at Shawfield. I also asked what feedback could be expected on why bids were unsuccessful. You can find a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
A second Urgent Question came next, this time regarding the banning of women aid workers in Afghanistan. I highlighted the dangers posed to women injured during natural disasters who often have to wait for treatment from female medics, risking their lives and health. I asked the Minister what measure the UK Government were taking to support such individuals. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Business Questions came next and here I raised the issue of some of my constituents who are struggling with energy costs and accessing government support schemes. I asked The Leader of the House for a debate to be scheduled on this, during Government time. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.