The week began on Monday with Oral Questions to the Department for Work and Pensions. Here I asked about the impact that issues with recruitment and retention in services, such as PIP and Child Maintenance, might have on the Department’s ability to support the public. You can read a transcript on my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Then during topicals, I raised the issue of under-diagnosis of ADHD and autism in women and girls, who are often misdiagnosed with mood disorders, and asked what impact this may have on women’s ability to access and maintain employment as a result. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Tuesday kicked off with a Commons debate on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. I asked the Shadow Minister if the Bill required further development and whether a statutory review process would merit implementation. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by a Commons debate on Animal Welfare in Overseas Tourism where I raised the issue of the damage done to animal populations and biodiversity as a result of hunting holidays, as well as the abundance of misinformation regarding the role of such actions on conservation efforts. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
On Wednesday, we began with Oral Questions to the Minister for Women and Equalities. I asked if any conversations had taken place within the department about ensuring British Sign Language interpretation is provided for Government announcements and media events to ensure that there isn’t a reliance on written documents for deaf people. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by Prime Minister’s Questions where my tabled question had been picked in the ballot. I took the opportunity to highlight the important issues of financial abuse and coercive control and asked what steps were being taken to ensure that Government departments aren’t open to potential exploitation by abusers. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
Thursday was a busy day, beginning with Oral Questions to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. I asked what measures were in place to ensure access to cultural attractions for those with disabilities, including hidden ones. You can read a transcript of my query here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
This was followed by Business Questions. I took the chance to ask the Speaker of the House to join me in thanking all of those involved in Rutherglen community group, ‘People’s Past, People’s Future’, and asked for time to schedule a debate to discuss the importance of community groups in tackling loneliness in isolated groups. You can read a transcript of this in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
A Ministerial statement from the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries came next, updating the House on the next steps for transitioning away from EU Agricultural policy. I asked how changes to the plan might result in increased use of peatland for carbon capture and storage. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
A second statement followed, this time from the Minister for Defence Procurement, updating the House on the delivery of military support packages to Ukraine. I took the opportunity to ask what conversations had been had with our international partners to ensure that any heavy armour sent to the region is both easily maintained and not a hindrance to the Ukrainian campaign. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard, or watch it here on ParliamentTv.
In the afternoon, I took part in a debate to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Here I made a speech to stress the important role that ordinary people can play in preventing such atrocities, as well as to tell the stories of some of the members of our community in Rutherglen who escaped the Nazi regime. I also took the opportunity to sign the Holocaust book of commemoration while it was in Parliament that week. You can read a transcript of my speech here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.