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da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.32.3
Is the Secretary of State aware that, specifically in relation to what happened at King’s Cross, the travelling public will not be impressed with his bland assertion that “some aspects” of the work were delayed? Does he know which aspects were delayed? Is he able to share that with the House? Does he accept that the tr...
Diane Abbott
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Is the Secretary of State aware that, specifically in relation to what happened at King’s Cross, the travelling public will not be impressed with his bland assertion that “some aspects” of the work were delayed? Does he know which aspects were delayed? Is he able to share that with the House? Does he accept that the tr...
0.317094
201
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.32.4
I referred at the start of my statement to the seven points being changed at King’s Cross and the amount of work that was being done. The work over the Christmas period amounted to a £200 million investment—by far the biggest investment in the railways over the Christmas period for many years.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I referred at the start of my statement to the seven points being changed at King’s Cross and the amount of work that was being done. The work over the Christmas period amounted to a £200 million investment—by far the biggest investment in the railways over the Christmas period for many years.
0.283964
202
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.32.5
Does my right hon. Friend agree that those Labour Members who are hostile to a privatised railway and yearn for a return to public sector railways need to be reminded that Network Rail is a public sector operator? Given that it is in the public sector, will he urgently review its governance structure, because the absur...
Philip Hollobone
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that those Labour Members who are hostile to a privatised railway and yearn for a return to public sector railways need to be reminded that Network Rail is a public sector operator? Given that it is in the public sector, will he urgently review its governance structure, because the absur...
0.306199
203
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.32.6
My hon. Friend makes interesting points that are worthy of a longer debate rather than just a very short answer. The truth is that Network Rail was reclassified last September when it came on to the public books. What I felt then was the most important thing, and still do, is that the work being done as a result of the...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
My hon. Friend makes interesting points that are worthy of a longer debate rather than just a very short answer. The truth is that Network Rail was reclassified last September when it came on to the public books. What I felt then was the most important thing, and still do, is that the work being done as a result of the...
0.312976
204
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.0
We have heard much rhetoric from the Secretary of State about additional investment in the railways. In December, did not his Department, under his direction, cancel the investment in phases 1 and 2 of modular signalling improvements in north Wales? Will he confirm that he has authorised that?
Ian Lucas
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
We have heard much rhetoric from the Secretary of State about additional investment in the railways. In December, did not his Department, under his direction, cancel the investment in phases 1 and 2 of modular signalling improvements in north Wales? Will he confirm that he has authorised that?
0.287542
205
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.1
What I will confirm is that we are investing some £38 billion in the railways, which is more than any previous Government have invested. In 13 years, Labour electrified 10 miles of track. We will be electrifying more than 800 miles, which is a record of which this Government are incredibly proud. [Official Report, 7 Ja...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
What I will confirm is that we are investing some £38 billion in the railways, which is more than any previous Government have invested. In 13 years, Labour electrified 10 miles of track. We will be electrifying more than 800 miles, which is a record of which this Government are incredibly proud. [Official Report, 7 Ja...
0.303304
206
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.2
Under nationalisation, the railways suffered from decades of neglect and under-investment. I pay tribute to Network Rail for the work it is doing to sort out that problem, particularly as my constituents of Elmet and Rothwell regularly use the east coast main line. Does my right hon. Friend find it incredible that many...
Alec Shelbrooke
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Under nationalisation, the railways suffered from decades of neglect and under-investment. I pay tribute to Network Rail for the work it is doing to sort out that problem, particularly as my constituents of Elmet and Rothwell regularly use the east coast main line. Does my right hon. Friend find it incredible that many...
0.282044
207
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.3
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. As I have said, we have seen a tremendous increase in the importance of the railways. I do not want to bore the House, but I will repeat the figures that I have already mentioned. Under British Rail, 750 million journeys were made every year. Last year, the figure was ...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. As I have said, we have seen a tremendous increase in the importance of the railways. I do not want to bore the House, but I will repeat the figures that I have already mentioned. Under British Rail, 750 million journeys were made every year. Last year, the figure was ...
0.269116
208
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.4
The Secretary of State quite properly said that the network failure was unacceptable, and he quite properly said that Network Rail would be held to account. But he did not say how it would be held to account. Will he please advise the House what he is doing to hold it to account, and what penalties it will pay?
Barry Gardiner
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
The Secretary of State quite properly said that the network failure was unacceptable, and he quite properly said that Network Rail would be held to account. But he did not say how it would be held to account. Will he please advise the House what he is doing to hold it to account, and what penalties it will pay?
0.272944
209
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.5
I have mentioned two reports that are under way. One will be given to the chief executive of Network Rail by the end of the week. It will be made public in time for his appearance before the Select Committee. The Office of Rail Regulation is rightly investigating what happened at King’s Cross and Paddington. When I hav...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I have mentioned two reports that are under way. One will be given to the chief executive of Network Rail by the end of the week. It will be made public in time for his appearance before the Select Committee. The Office of Rail Regulation is rightly investigating what happened at King’s Cross and Paddington. When I hav...
0.287587
210
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.33.6
Is it not worth noting that some railway companies such as Chiltern Railways were able to run a service on Boxing day? Indeed, as a consequence of privatisation and investment by Chiltern Railways, running times between Banbury and London have been halved and we are now seeing more passengers being carried faster on ce...
Tony Baldry
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Is it not worth noting that some railway companies such as Chiltern Railways were able to run a service on Boxing day? Indeed, as a consequence of privatisation and investment by Chiltern Railways, running times between Banbury and London have been halved and we are now seeing more passengers being carried faster on ce...
0.243925
211
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.0
Indeed, and my right hon. Friend is absolutely right about the improvement in services in his area. We are hearing further calls for even greater improvements, particularly in capacity, as more people are using the railways. But I agree with him about what Chiltern Railways has done for his constituency and for the con...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Indeed, and my right hon. Friend is absolutely right about the improvement in services in his area. We are hearing further calls for even greater improvements, particularly in capacity, as more people are using the railways. But I agree with him about what Chiltern Railways has done for his constituency and for the con...
0.252449
212
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.1
What lessons has the Secretary of State learned from this sorry episode over the Christmas period? Does he recognise that the frustration comes not just from cancellations and long delays but from the complexity of the compensation system, with different train companies applying different terms and conditions? There ar...
Andrew Gwynne
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
What lessons has the Secretary of State learned from this sorry episode over the Christmas period? Does he recognise that the frustration comes not just from cancellations and long delays but from the complexity of the compensation system, with different train companies applying different terms and conditions? There ar...
0.293521
213
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.2
The hon. Gentleman asks a number of questions. I will try to answer them all. The new franchises I am issuing have changed the way in which compensation is awarded, and they are a great improvement on those awarded by the previous Government. He also asked me about bus replacement services. If he wants us to carry out ...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
The hon. Gentleman asks a number of questions. I will try to answer them all. The new franchises I am issuing have changed the way in which compensation is awarded, and they are a great improvement on those awarded by the previous Government. He also asked me about bus replacement services. If he wants us to carry out ...
0.321011
214
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.3
Would my right hon. Friend care to speculate on whether the report will be able to shed light on who was warning that the risks of this engineering programme were uncontainable and likely to spill over into the commuting timetable? Is it not important that Network Rail improves its risk management and learns how to tal...
Bernard Jenkin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Would my right hon. Friend care to speculate on whether the report will be able to shed light on who was warning that the risks of this engineering programme were uncontainable and likely to spill over into the commuting timetable? Is it not important that Network Rail improves its risk management and learns how to tal...
0.344737
215
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.4
My hon. Friend is right that we need to learn the lessons from any such incident. I am not aware of receiving any letters from the shadow Secretary of State before the incident saying that we were trying to do too much. In fact, I am not sure that I had any representations from any Members saying that we were trying to...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
My hon. Friend is right that we need to learn the lessons from any such incident. I am not aware of receiving any letters from the shadow Secretary of State before the incident saying that we were trying to do too much. In fact, I am not sure that I had any representations from any Members saying that we were trying to...
0.302647
216
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.5
Why does the Secretary of State pretend he is in charge when the reality is that the Network Rail board reports to its members—the 46 public members identified by the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone)—and a similar number of industry vested interests? Does the Secretary of State not understand that the board was...
Mark Reckless
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Why does the Secretary of State pretend he is in charge when the reality is that the Network Rail board reports to its members—the 46 public members identified by the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone)—and a similar number of industry vested interests? Does the Secretary of State not understand that the board was...
0.300574
217
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.34.6
As I said earlier, the simple fact is that Network Rail is challenged at the moment with the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era. Indeed, in the hon. Gentleman’s own constituency a brand-new station is being built by Network Rail. Perhaps he wants it cancelled; I will take that as a representatio...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
As I said earlier, the simple fact is that Network Rail is challenged at the moment with the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era. Indeed, in the hon. Gentleman’s own constituency a brand-new station is being built by Network Rail. Perhaps he wants it cancelled; I will take that as a representatio...
0.278201
218
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.0
My constituents coming from Biggleswade, Sandy and Arlesey into King’s Cross were of course inconvenienced and annoyed by what happened, but they are sensible enough to appreciate that the improvements being done were for their benefit and for the benefit of the line, as they have seen over the past few years. May they...
Alistair Burt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
My constituents coming from Biggleswade, Sandy and Arlesey into King’s Cross were of course inconvenienced and annoyed by what happened, but they are sensible enough to appreciate that the improvements being done were for their benefit and for the benefit of the line, as they have seen over the past few years. May they...
0.268024
219
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.1
I agree with my right hon. Friend. It is vital that we do nothing to put back the very ambitious programme for improvements to our railways that will, in the long term, benefit all our constituents.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I agree with my right hon. Friend. It is vital that we do nothing to put back the very ambitious programme for improvements to our railways that will, in the long term, benefit all our constituents.
0.293756
220
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.2
The Secretary of State seems to want to blame the shadow Secretary of State and other Members of the House for not warning him that this was about to happen. When he said sorry in his original reply, was he taking responsibility personally as Secretary of State for Transport for the chaos that occurred or was he simply...
Kevin Brennan
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
The Secretary of State seems to want to blame the shadow Secretary of State and other Members of the House for not warning him that this was about to happen. When he said sorry in his original reply, was he taking responsibility personally as Secretary of State for Transport for the chaos that occurred or was he simply...
0.253937
221
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.3
I was saying as Secretary of State for Transport that I was very sorry for any inconvenience to passengers. Along with the chief executive of Network Rail, I have put in place measures to ensure that we learn from what went wrong in these incidents, which were clearly unacceptable. The point I would make to the hon. Ge...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I was saying as Secretary of State for Transport that I was very sorry for any inconvenience to passengers. Along with the chief executive of Network Rail, I have put in place measures to ensure that we learn from what went wrong in these incidents, which were clearly unacceptable. The point I would make to the hon. Ge...
0.290306
222
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.4
I thank my right hon. Friend for the clear announcement he has made today and add my thanks for the work done by Network Rail in Dawlish. Will he confirm that improvements to signalling down to my Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport constituency will deliver a more sustainable railway line that will get trains there much mo...
Oliver Colvile
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I thank my right hon. Friend for the clear announcement he has made today and add my thanks for the work done by Network Rail in Dawlish. Will he confirm that improvements to signalling down to my Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport constituency will deliver a more sustainable railway line that will get trains there much mo...
0.285275
223
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.5
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the valiant campaign he has led to ensure that he gets faster train services to his constituency, pointing out how important they are for his city. I hope to be able to improve on his campaign so that he gets the services that are wanted for the constituency.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the valiant campaign he has led to ensure that he gets faster train services to his constituency, pointing out how important they are for his city. I hope to be able to improve on his campaign so that he gets the services that are wanted for the constituency.
0.244417
224
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.35.6
After the Christmas shambles, I was pleased to see that the chief executive of Network Rail voluntarily said that he would not take his bonus of £34,000. Has the Secretary of State considered introducing performance-related pay for rail bosses, in the same way as his Government advocate it for teachers?
Diana Johnson
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
After the Christmas shambles, I was pleased to see that the chief executive of Network Rail voluntarily said that he would not take his bonus of £34,000. Has the Secretary of State considered introducing performance-related pay for rail bosses, in the same way as his Government advocate it for teachers?
0.262603
225
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.0
I do not think I will take too many lessons from the Labour party about bonuses. In 2009-10, the bonuses paid to Network Rail were £2.3 billion; this year, it was going to be £260,000. I think there should be carrots and sticks, and, if the criteria set are met, a bonus is a way of rewarding the people directly involve...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I do not think I will take too many lessons from the Labour party about bonuses. In 2009-10, the bonuses paid to Network Rail were £2.3 billion; this year, it was going to be £260,000. I think there should be carrots and sticks, and, if the criteria set are met, a bonus is a way of rewarding the people directly involve...
0.289054
226
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.1
The football fixtures were published in July last year, with a full programme of matches scheduled for Boxing day. There were no national rail services that day—clearly that decision was taken at some stage during the year. What is inexcusable is the complete lack of communication to football fans across the country ab...
Bob Blackman
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
The football fixtures were published in July last year, with a full programme of matches scheduled for Boxing day. There were no national rail services that day—clearly that decision was taken at some stage during the year. What is inexcusable is the complete lack of communication to football fans across the country ab...
0.268594
227
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.2
One of the things I am not responsible for—I do not think any member of the Government is—is the fixture list of football clubs. Perhaps they need to answer the question why some of the fixtures are so far apart in the country at a time when, as has been the case for many a year, there is no rail operation because of e...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
One of the things I am not responsible for—I do not think any member of the Government is—is the fixture list of football clubs. Perhaps they need to answer the question why some of the fixtures are so far apart in the country at a time when, as has been the case for many a year, there is no rail operation because of e...
0.315123
228
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.3
My constituents have been contacting me, concerned about the squeeze on their living standards from a 20% increase in rail fares since 2010. How can the Secretary of State make sure that there is no repeat of the chaos and that rail passengers get the service that they are more than paying for?
Nicholas Dakin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
My constituents have been contacting me, concerned about the squeeze on their living standards from a 20% increase in rail fares since 2010. How can the Secretary of State make sure that there is no repeat of the chaos and that rail passengers get the service that they are more than paying for?
0.269852
229
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.4
I do not know if that is a spending commitment that will be matched by those on the Opposition Front Bench. It is no good complaining about the level of investment taking place and then saying that somehow there is a bigger pot of money available to subsidise or support the rail industry. That is just not practicable.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I do not know if that is a spending commitment that will be matched by those on the Opposition Front Bench. It is no good complaining about the level of investment taking place and then saying that somehow there is a bigger pot of money available to subsidise or support the rail industry. That is just not practicable.
0.303798
230
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.5
I pay tribute to the Network Rail workers and contractors who performed such excellent work on the major renovation at Norton Bridge in Staffordshire, with the new flyover of the west coast main line, but will my right hon. Friend consider what more can be done to help travellers to complete disrupted rail journeys? Of...
Jeremy Lefroy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I pay tribute to the Network Rail workers and contractors who performed such excellent work on the major renovation at Norton Bridge in Staffordshire, with the new flyover of the west coast main line, but will my right hon. Friend consider what more can be done to help travellers to complete disrupted rail journeys? Of...
0.290537
231
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.36.6
I am pleased to hear that my hon. Friend loves Derbyshire. That may be a feeling the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) and I share with him. I would point out that, as he rightly says, the major bottleneck at Stafford and Norton Bridge has now been unblocked, enabling faster, more frequent and reliable services for...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I am pleased to hear that my hon. Friend loves Derbyshire. That may be a feeling the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) and I share with him. I would point out that, as he rightly says, the major bottleneck at Stafford and Norton Bridge has now been unblocked, enabling faster, more frequent and reliable services for...
0.256068
232
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.0
The Secretary of State is a man of integrity. He has apologised and he has accepted that both the contingency arrangements and communications were not adequate. Has he had a chance to assess whether the vast amount of work that Network Rail undertook to do at King’s Cross was in fact too much within the time available?
Jim Fitzpatrick
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
The Secretary of State is a man of integrity. He has apologised and he has accepted that both the contingency arrangements and communications were not adequate. Has he had a chance to assess whether the vast amount of work that Network Rail undertook to do at King’s Cross was in fact too much within the time available?
0.288647
233
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.1
That is one of the questions I want the report to address. The hon. Gentleman is a member of the Transport Committee and I will be interested to see its report, knowing that Mark Carne and Robin Gisby will be giving evidence to the Committee next week.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
That is one of the questions I want the report to address. The hon. Gentleman is a member of the Transport Committee and I will be interested to see its report, knowing that Mark Carne and Robin Gisby will be giving evidence to the Committee next week.
0.381218
234
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.2
Does the Secretary of State agree that this issue is not simply about late-running engineering works and engineering blockades but important infrastructure such as Dover Priory railway station car park, which is even more late-running than the engineering works we have seen? Does that not underline the need to look at ...
Charlie Elphicke
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
Does the Secretary of State agree that this issue is not simply about late-running engineering works and engineering blockades but important infrastructure such as Dover Priory railway station car park, which is even more late-running than the engineering works we have seen? Does that not underline the need to look at ...
0.334073
235
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.3
As I said, the whole upgrading of the rail network cannot be done without disruption in certain areas, meaning that at certain stages closures have to take place. It would not otherwise be possible safely to do the work that has been required. My hon. Friend’s wider point is a valid one that we will want to address fol...
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
As I said, the whole upgrading of the rail network cannot be done without disruption in certain areas, meaning that at certain stages closures have to take place. It would not otherwise be possible safely to do the work that has been required. My hon. Friend’s wider point is a valid one that we will want to address fol...
0.309059
236
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.4
First Great Western has assured me that it tried its utmost to keep passengers informed about what was going on at Paddington on 27 December, but one of the problems was that Network Rail seemed unable to give it any clear estimates of when the work would be completed, and there were lots of false assurances. How can t...
Kerry McCarthy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
First Great Western has assured me that it tried its utmost to keep passengers informed about what was going on at Paddington on 27 December, but one of the problems was that Network Rail seemed unable to give it any clear estimates of when the work would be completed, and there were lots of false assurances. How can t...
0.295523
237
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.37.5
I agree that a lot more can and should be done about communicating what is going on in the rail system, whether by Network Rail or individual train operating companies. When I meet the Rail Delivery Group and the management of Network Rail, I will stress that the whole industry has to address that in future.
Patrick McLoughlin
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
Rail Network (Disruption)
I agree that a lot more can and should be done about communicating what is going on in the rail system, whether by Network Rail or individual train operating companies. When I meet the Rail Delivery Group and the management of Network Rail, I will stress that the whole industry has to address that in future.
0.319389
238
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.38.1
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the UK’s Ebola preparedness and the care being given to Pauline Cafferkey, the NHS nurse being treated for Ebola at the Royal Free hospital in London. I know the whole House will join me in wishing Pauline well and commending her and her NHS colleagues...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the UK’s Ebola preparedness and the care being given to Pauline Cafferkey, the NHS nurse being treated for Ebola at the Royal Free hospital in London. I know the whole House will join me in wishing Pauline well and commending her and her NHS colleagues...
0.248656
239
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.40.0
Over the break, there have been a number of reports suggesting that the Ebola outbreak is far from under control and we saw, as the Secretary of State has said, the first case diagnosed here in the UK. Concerns are rising and that is why the Secretary of State was right to give his informative update to the House at th...
Andy Burnham
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Over the break, there have been a number of reports suggesting that the Ebola outbreak is far from under control and we saw, as the Secretary of State has said, the first case diagnosed here in the UK. Concerns are rising and that is why the Secretary of State was right to give his informative update to the House at th...
0.26501
240
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.42.0
May I first thank the right hon. Gentleman for the constructive tone of his comments and the official Opposition’s willingness to work closely with us on this very important issue? Let me cover some of the important points that he made. The right hon. Gentleman is right that the disease is continuing to progress in tho...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
May I first thank the right hon. Gentleman for the constructive tone of his comments and the official Opposition’s willingness to work closely with us on this very important issue? Let me cover some of the important points that he made. The right hon. Gentleman is right that the disease is continuing to progress in tho...
0.271191
241
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.44.0
I join the Secretary of State in paying tribute to Pauline Cafferkey and all NHS volunteers, aid workers, staff at DFID and Public Health England for the work they are doing to keep us safe in the UK by fighting Ebola on the front line in west Africa at great personal risk. I also thank him for updating the House so su...
Sarah Wollaston
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I join the Secretary of State in paying tribute to Pauline Cafferkey and all NHS volunteers, aid workers, staff at DFID and Public Health England for the work they are doing to keep us safe in the UK by fighting Ebola on the front line in west Africa at great personal risk. I also thank him for updating the House so su...
0.270679
242
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.44.1
I thank my hon. Friend for her constructive comments and I agree with what she has said on this issue. Some 678 health care workers have contracted Ebola since the outbreak of the disease, and of those nearly 400 have died, the vast majority African. That shows how incredibly brave front-line workers are, and perhaps t...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I thank my hon. Friend for her constructive comments and I agree with what she has said on this issue. Some 678 health care workers have contracted Ebola since the outbreak of the disease, and of those nearly 400 have died, the vast majority African. That shows how incredibly brave front-line workers are, and perhaps t...
0.236588
243
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.44.2
Pauline Cafferkey is a constituent of mine and works at Blantyre health centre in my constituency. I have spoken to a number of those whom she has treated and her colleagues over the past few days. I am sure the House will appreciate that there is a huge amount of support and concern for her locally, but also a huge ad...
Tom Greatrex
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Pauline Cafferkey is a constituent of mine and works at Blantyre health centre in my constituency. I have spoken to a number of those whom she has treated and her colleagues over the past few days. I am sure the House will appreciate that there is a huge amount of support and concern for her locally, but also a huge ad...
0.278679
244
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.45.0
I echo the hon. Gentleman’s comments about what a remarkable lady Pauline Cafferkey is. When she was asked why she was going, she said, “Why wouldn’t you go when so much suffering is happening in west Africa?” That is the measure of the woman. On the screening process, I am satisfied that the right clinical processes w...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I echo the hon. Gentleman’s comments about what a remarkable lady Pauline Cafferkey is. When she was asked why she was going, she said, “Why wouldn’t you go when so much suffering is happening in west Africa?” That is the measure of the woman. On the screening process, I am satisfied that the right clinical processes w...
0.247778
245
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.45.1
I commend the federal and state authorities in Nigeria for the work they did in containing the Ebola outbreak there last year. In the space of a four-day visit, I had my temperature taken 34 times—whenever one goes into a public building, one has one’s temperature taken. Everyone who visits a Nigerian airport has to fi...
David Heath
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I commend the federal and state authorities in Nigeria for the work they did in containing the Ebola outbreak there last year. In the space of a four-day visit, I had my temperature taken 34 times—whenever one goes into a public building, one has one’s temperature taken. Everyone who visits a Nigerian airport has to fi...
0.230784
246
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.45.2
Yes, I am. I join the hon. Gentleman in commending the actions of the Nigerian authorities. What has happened in Nigeria in respect of Ebola shows a great deal of hope for what is changing in Africa more generally. There was a perception that all African countries would find it as challenging to deal with Ebola as Sier...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Yes, I am. I join the hon. Gentleman in commending the actions of the Nigerian authorities. What has happened in Nigeria in respect of Ebola shows a great deal of hope for what is changing in Africa more generally. There was a perception that all African countries would find it as challenging to deal with Ebola as Sier...
0.274335
247
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.45.3
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I am in no position whatever to comment on the effectiveness of the screening and suspect that no one else in the Chamber is. On long-term preparedness, it is several decades since Peter Piot, now director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, first ide...
Frank Dobson
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I am in no position whatever to comment on the effectiveness of the screening and suspect that no one else in the Chamber is. On long-term preparedness, it is several decades since Peter Piot, now director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, first ide...
0.256855
248
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.45.4
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Peter Piot is a remarkable man who came to Downing street to advise the Prime Minister and me early in the development of the Ebola crisis. He is well worth listening to on this subject. The right hon. Gentleman also makes a good point in that the global response to Ebola w...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Peter Piot is a remarkable man who came to Downing street to advise the Prime Minister and me early in the development of the Ebola crisis. He is well worth listening to on this subject. The right hon. Gentleman also makes a good point in that the global response to Ebola w...
0.260147
249
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.46.0
Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking the staff of the Royal Cornwall hospital who treated someone returning from Sierra Leone with great professionalism, caring and compassion? Will he reassure me and those staff that, as well as those arriving back from west Africa by plane or train, those arriving back into ...
Sarah Newton
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking the staff of the Royal Cornwall hospital who treated someone returning from Sierra Leone with great professionalism, caring and compassion? Will he reassure me and those staff that, as well as those arriving back from west Africa by plane or train, those arriving back into ...
0.238386
250
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.46.1
I am happy to pass on my thanks to the staff of the Royal Cornwall—in fact, I spoke to someone from that hospital this morning and I know that they are very focused on this issue, as are all NHS hospitals. We have introduced information at all ports and, where necessary, screening. My hon. Friend makes an important poi...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I am happy to pass on my thanks to the staff of the Royal Cornwall—in fact, I spoke to someone from that hospital this morning and I know that they are very focused on this issue, as are all NHS hospitals. We have introduced information at all ports and, where necessary, screening. My hon. Friend makes an important poi...
0.252048
251
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.46.2
Has the Secretary of State had the chance to consult the British Medical Journal editorial of 13 October, which insisted—more than two months ago—that the Government’s airport screening policy for Ebola was illogical? I spoke to the author yesterday and he argues that we have missed the one case to have been imported w...
Peter Hain
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Has the Secretary of State had the chance to consult the British Medical Journal editorial of 13 October, which insisted—more than two months ago—that the Government’s airport screening policy for Ebola was illogical? I spoke to the author yesterday and he argues that we have missed the one case to have been imported w...
0.252747
252
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.46.3
Perhaps I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman on that point. Health care workers are kept away from direct patient work for that incubation period, so that protocol has been put in place. The BMJ article to which he refers is based, I think, on the misunderstanding that screening is the same as testing. The reality i...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Perhaps I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman on that point. Health care workers are kept away from direct patient work for that incubation period, so that protocol has been put in place. The BMJ article to which he refers is based, I think, on the misunderstanding that screening is the same as testing. The reality i...
0.231879
253
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.46.4
There is a saying that when it rains everyone’s roof gets wet. That is apt in the case of Ebola which, as we have heard, poses a global threat. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to protect the British people from the Ebola outbreak is to continue to actively support international efforts to eradicate it...
Andrew Bridgen
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
There is a saying that when it rains everyone’s roof gets wet. That is apt in the case of Ebola which, as we have heard, poses a global threat. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to protect the British people from the Ebola outbreak is to continue to actively support international efforts to eradicate it...
0.260838
254
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.47.0
My hon. Friend is right. The most important thing we can do is to eliminate this disease at source, and that is why we can be extremely proud of the efforts of DFID and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. As I have said, we are the country that is doing the second most in the entire world to combat the disease...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
My hon. Friend is right. The most important thing we can do is to eliminate this disease at source, and that is why we can be extremely proud of the efforts of DFID and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. As I have said, we are the country that is doing the second most in the entire world to combat the disease...
0.285892
255
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.47.1
May I thank the Secretary of State for his statement, affording as it does an opportunity for the House to pay tribute not only to Nurse Cafferkey and all the other NHS volunteers, but the staff of the Royal Free hospital in my constituency who day in, day out demonstrate all that is best in our NHS? When the Secretary...
Glenda Jackson
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
May I thank the Secretary of State for his statement, affording as it does an opportunity for the House to pay tribute not only to Nurse Cafferkey and all the other NHS volunteers, but the staff of the Royal Free hospital in my constituency who day in, day out demonstrate all that is best in our NHS? When the Secretary...
0.283686
256
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.47.2
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that we need all countries to play their part. We have been very involved in international efforts to try to ensure that other countries, particularly in Europe, play their part as we in the UK have been doing. I commend her constituents who work at the Royal Free for their remarkable ...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that we need all countries to play their part. We have been very involved in international efforts to try to ensure that other countries, particularly in Europe, play their part as we in the UK have been doing. I commend her constituents who work at the Royal Free for their remarkable ...
0.301855
257
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.47.3
I thank the Secretary of State for the tone and content of his statement. Nevertheless, I think my constituents in Kettering would have two concerns about the Pauline Cafferkey incident. First, what my constituents do not understand is why, when this health worker reported feeling unwell, caution was not prioritised an...
Philip Hollobone
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I thank the Secretary of State for the tone and content of his statement. Nevertheless, I think my constituents in Kettering would have two concerns about the Pauline Cafferkey incident. First, what my constituents do not understand is why, when this health worker reported feeling unwell, caution was not prioritised an...
0.258072
258
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.47.4
We have learned the lessons to speed up the process so that people, I trust, will not have to wait as long. One of the lessons we learned in the Christmas period is that we do not want people to have to wait as long. I want to stress to my hon. Friend—perhaps he could stress this to his constituents—that the clinical r...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
We have learned the lessons to speed up the process so that people, I trust, will not have to wait as long. One of the lessons we learned in the Christmas period is that we do not want people to have to wait as long. I want to stress to my hon. Friend—perhaps he could stress this to his constituents—that the clinical r...
0.263715
259
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.48.0
The Government were absolutely right to start screening on 14 October. May I urge the Secretary of State to resist calls from those who say that screening is not effective and should stop? This was not a direct flight: it went through Casablanca. Although we have put a lot of resources into Sierra Leone and we have res...
Keith Vaz
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
The Government were absolutely right to start screening on 14 October. May I urge the Secretary of State to resist calls from those who say that screening is not effective and should stop? This was not a direct flight: it went through Casablanca. Although we have put a lot of resources into Sierra Leone and we have res...
0.259253
260
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.48.1
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising that point; he has done so on a number of occasions. It is very important that there is not a weak link in the chain. We have been relatively satisfied with the screening procedures at Casablanca, which we have obviously inquired into in great detail because of the fact that...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising that point; he has done so on a number of occasions. It is very important that there is not a weak link in the chain. We have been relatively satisfied with the screening procedures at Casablanca, which we have obviously inquired into in great detail because of the fact that...
0.273281
261
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.48.2
I thank my right hon. Friend for paying tribute not only to the British defence, NHS, Public Health England and DFID workers, but to the immense courage of Sierra Leonean, Liberian, Guinean and Nigerian health workers, as well as many others. As he said, several hundred have paid the ultimate price for their devotion t...
Jeremy Lefroy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I thank my right hon. Friend for paying tribute not only to the British defence, NHS, Public Health England and DFID workers, but to the immense courage of Sierra Leonean, Liberian, Guinean and Nigerian health workers, as well as many others. As he said, several hundred have paid the ultimate price for their devotion t...
0.253194
262
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.48.3
I can reassure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the International Development Secretary has spoken to the President of Sierra Leone about that very issue. One of the big learning points from the relative success of Nigeria, which we discussed earlier, in combating Ebola compared with Sierra Leone has been about...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I can reassure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the International Development Secretary has spoken to the President of Sierra Leone about that very issue. One of the big learning points from the relative success of Nigeria, which we discussed earlier, in combating Ebola compared with Sierra Leone has been about...
0.280734
263
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.0
We are still learning about Ebola and the efficacy of the screening processes. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with other European countries, particularly European Health Ministers, to share best practice, exchange what we have learned and ensure a comprehensive approach?
Gisela Stuart
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
We are still learning about Ebola and the efficacy of the screening processes. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with other European countries, particularly European Health Ministers, to share best practice, exchange what we have learned and ensure a comprehensive approach?
0.263142
264
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.1
I have spoken to several European Health Ministers, and the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Jane Ellison), who has responsibility for public health, is in regular touch with them about the international effort. The hon. Lady is right that no one country can solve this on it...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I have spoken to several European Health Ministers, and the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Jane Ellison), who has responsibility for public health, is in regular touch with them about the international effort. The hon. Lady is right that no one country can solve this on it...
0.279803
265
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.2
I declare an interest, as my wife worked for Public Health England. I am sure that all PHE staff will appreciate the Secretary of State’s calm and supportive words today. Local directors of public health have traditionally formed part of the response to such incidents, not least in reassuring the general public—perhaps...
Martin Horwood
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I declare an interest, as my wife worked for Public Health England. I am sure that all PHE staff will appreciate the Secretary of State’s calm and supportive words today. Local directors of public health have traditionally formed part of the response to such incidents, not least in reassuring the general public—perhaps...
0.317532
266
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.3
To date, no issues have been raised about resourcing for those very important responsibilities, but we will keep an eye on that. Every local area has had a resilience exercise to ensure it is prepared for what happens if someone contracts Ebola in its area, and so far we have been satisfied with the response, but obvio...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
To date, no issues have been raised about resourcing for those very important responsibilities, but we will keep an eye on that. Every local area has had a resilience exercise to ensure it is prepared for what happens if someone contracts Ebola in its area, and so far we have been satisfied with the response, but obvio...
0.310311
267
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.4
I understand the constraints on the availability of the ZMapp drug to fight Ebola, but is the Secretary of State really telling the House that there is nothing the Government can do to minimise those constraints?
Frank Roy
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I understand the constraints on the availability of the ZMapp drug to fight Ebola, but is the Secretary of State really telling the House that there is nothing the Government can do to minimise those constraints?
0.284365
268
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.5
If we could buy it, we would, but there is no availability internationally, and we are waiting for more supplies. We are using other experimental treatments on Pauline, and it is important to stress that we do not know whether ZMapp actually worked, but we want to do absolutely everything we can.
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
If we could buy it, we would, but there is no availability internationally, and we are waiting for more supplies. We are using other experimental treatments on Pauline, and it is important to stress that we do not know whether ZMapp actually worked, but we want to do absolutely everything we can.
0.241164
269
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.49.6
I wholeheartedly support my right hon. Friend’s comments about the bravery of Pauline Cafferkey and the other health and military workers fighting Ebola in Sierra Leone. Their sacrifice and bravery humble us all. Will he confirm that the Government will continue to follow medical advice and keep a sense of perspective ...
Margot James
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I wholeheartedly support my right hon. Friend’s comments about the bravery of Pauline Cafferkey and the other health and military workers fighting Ebola in Sierra Leone. Their sacrifice and bravery humble us all. Will he confirm that the Government will continue to follow medical advice and keep a sense of perspective ...
0.264876
270
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.0
Yes, I can absolutely confirm that, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising the point. It is important to say that this is not an exact science, because we do not know everything about the disease, so a balance sometimes has to be struck, but I think my discussions with Professor Paul Cosford and the chief medical offic...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Yes, I can absolutely confirm that, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising the point. It is important to say that this is not an exact science, because we do not know everything about the disease, so a balance sometimes has to be struck, but I think my discussions with Professor Paul Cosford and the chief medical offic...
0.308915
271
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.1
I place on record my thanks for the work done by Pauline Cafferkey and her colleagues and express my sympathy for the predicament in which she finds herself. I would like to thank the Secretary of State, too, for what he said about continuing to keep screening arrangements under review and looking to improve them on th...
Stewart Hosie
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I place on record my thanks for the work done by Pauline Cafferkey and her colleagues and express my sympathy for the predicament in which she finds herself. I would like to thank the Secretary of State, too, for what he said about continuing to keep screening arrangements under review and looking to improve them on th...
0.2852
272
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.2
I can absolutely give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. When we have decided to change protocols, they have been changed within hours, not within days.
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I can absolutely give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. When we have decided to change protocols, they have been changed within hours, not within days.
0.325371
273
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.3
Pauline Cafferkey is a heroine and the thoughts of the whole House are with her and her family at this difficult time. Many people will be glad that the Secretary of State mentioned the hundreds of African health workers who have died fighting Ebola, showing extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty. Our constituents,...
Diane Abbott
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Pauline Cafferkey is a heroine and the thoughts of the whole House are with her and her family at this difficult time. Many people will be glad that the Secretary of State mentioned the hundreds of African health workers who have died fighting Ebola, showing extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty. Our constituents,...
0.247262
274
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.4
I could not agree more with the hon. Lady. Some 382 health care workers have died from Ebola, and it is worth saying that they include not just local people from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, but people from all over Africa as well as small numbers from other parts of the world. The very least we can do is to conti...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I could not agree more with the hon. Lady. Some 382 health care workers have died from Ebola, and it is worth saying that they include not just local people from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, but people from all over Africa as well as small numbers from other parts of the world. The very least we can do is to conti...
0.24298
275
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.5
The Prime Minister said over the weekend that those displaying symptoms at Heathrow would be referred straight to Northwick Park hospital in my constituency for the reason that the isolation units are based there. Those isolation units are, however, strictly limited—I think there were only six at the last count—so can ...
Barry Gardiner
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
The Prime Minister said over the weekend that those displaying symptoms at Heathrow would be referred straight to Northwick Park hospital in my constituency for the reason that the isolation units are based there. Those isolation units are, however, strictly limited—I think there were only six at the last count—so can ...
0.225981
276
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.50.6
I would like to reassure the hon. Gentleman that isolation facilities are available at other London hospitals. The ones he mentioned happen to be the closest, so they are the ones we would use first. Let me briefly clarify that it has always been the case that if someone showed any symptoms, we would isolate them and p...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
I would like to reassure the hon. Gentleman that isolation facilities are available at other London hospitals. The ones he mentioned happen to be the closest, so they are the ones we would use first. Let me briefly clarify that it has always been the case that if someone showed any symptoms, we would isolate them and p...
0.255029
277
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.0
It is somewhat ironic that only a couple of days before Christmas, I wrote to the Prime Minister saying that we should fully recognise all the volunteers who leave this country to do this excellent, selfless work, putting themselves in danger—and here we are today discussing the case of Pauline Cafferkey. Everyone’s th...
Russell Brown
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
It is somewhat ironic that only a couple of days before Christmas, I wrote to the Prime Minister saying that we should fully recognise all the volunteers who leave this country to do this excellent, selfless work, putting themselves in danger—and here we are today discussing the case of Pauline Cafferkey. Everyone’s th...
0.299181
278
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.1
To clarify the question, I think the hon. Gentleman is talking about how waste is disposed of in Sierra Leone, as we are satisfied with the way in which it is disposed of in the UK.
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
To clarify the question, I think the hon. Gentleman is talking about how waste is disposed of in Sierra Leone, as we are satisfied with the way in which it is disposed of in the UK.
0.307699
279
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.2
indicated assent.
Russell Brown
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
indicated assent.
0.222784
280
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.3
That being the case, I will ask the Secretary of State for International Development to write to the hon. Gentleman with her assessment of how satisfactorily that process is handled in Sierra Leone.
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
That being the case, I will ask the Secretary of State for International Development to write to the hon. Gentleman with her assessment of how satisfactorily that process is handled in Sierra Leone.
0.285995
281
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.4
Will the Secretary of State tell us more about the support given across all Departments in finding treatments for Ebola, including support for the current trials being conducted by the Institute of Infection and Global Health at Liverpool university under Professor Tom Solomon?
Louise Ellman
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
Will the Secretary of State tell us more about the support given across all Departments in finding treatments for Ebola, including support for the current trials being conducted by the Institute of Infection and Global Health at Liverpool university under Professor Tom Solomon?
0.261267
282
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.51.5
We are giving strong support to that important work. Our support is being led in the Cabinet Office by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Government Policy and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is bringing together all the Departments that can provide it. The sooner we can obtain a vaccine or a treatment tha...
Jeremy Hunt
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
HOME DEPARTMENT
UK Ebola Preparedness
We are giving strong support to that important work. Our support is being led in the Cabinet Office by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Government Policy and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is bringing together all the Departments that can provide it. The sooner we can obtain a vaccine or a treatment tha...
0.300363
283
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.1
rose—
Dan Jarvis
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
rose—
0.17461
284
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.2
rose—
Brian H Donohoe
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
rose—
0.17461
285
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.3
I shall come to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr Donohoe). I am saving him up, which is always enjoyable.
Mr Speaker
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
I shall come to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr Donohoe). I am saving him up, which is always enjoyable.
0.23535
286
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.4
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Today the Government tabled a written statement announcing a report on the important issue of supporting veterans in the criminal justice system. I am sure that you would have been as disappointed as I was, Mr Speaker, to see conclusions from the same report published more than two week...
Dan Jarvis
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Today the Government tabled a written statement announcing a report on the important issue of supporting veterans in the criminal justice system. I am sure that you would have been as disappointed as I was, Mr Speaker, to see conclusions from the same report published more than two week...
0.285882
287
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.5
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman both for his point of order and for his courtesy in giving me advance notice of it. As I understand the position, the Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims today issued a written ministerial statement informing the House that the Ministry of Justice had published a repo...
Mr Speaker
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman both for his point of order and for his courtesy in giving me advance notice of it. As I understand the position, the Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims today issued a written ministerial statement informing the House that the Ministry of Justice had published a repo...
0.305163
288
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.52.6
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. At exactly 9.44 this morning, a member of my staff received an e-mail telling me that the First Minister would be in my constituency exactly 61 minutes later. I understood that there was a convention, certainly in this place, which ensured that if a Minister or another Member of Parliam...
Brian H Donohoe
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. At exactly 9.44 this morning, a member of my staff received an e-mail telling me that the First Minister would be in my constituency exactly 61 minutes later. I understood that there was a convention, certainly in this place, which ensured that if a Minister or another Member of Parliam...
0.267441
289
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.53.0
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I thought that he was on to an important point when he said that there was a convention “in this place”. It is my understanding that there is certainly a very strong convention in this place that if a Member is going to visit the constituency of another on off...
Mr Speaker
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I thought that he was on to an important point when he said that there was a convention “in this place”. It is my understanding that there is certainly a very strong convention in this place that if a Member is going to visit the constituency of another on off...
0.266283
290
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.53.1
indicated assent.
Brian H Donohoe
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
indicated assent.
0.222784
291
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.53.2
The hon. Gentleman is nodding sagely. If there is such a convention which has generally been honoured, then there is no reason for it suddenly not to be honoured. I cannot deal with the First Minister at this stage. Whether there will be occasion to deal with him in the future, I have no idea—I have no idea whether the...
Mr Speaker
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Points of Order
UK Ebola Preparedness
The hon. Gentleman is nodding sagely. If there is such a convention which has generally been honoured, then there is no reason for it suddenly not to be honoured. I cannot deal with the First Minister at this stage. Whether there will be occasion to deal with him in the future, I have no idea—I have no idea whether the...
0.271659
292
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.54.1
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. In November, this House passed a Modern Slavery Bill to tackle the appalling crime of modern slavery, to pursue and prosecute those who trade in human beings for profit, and to protect and support victims. Modern slavery is just one of the many manifestations of s...
Theresa May
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. In November, this House passed a Modern Slavery Bill to tackle the appalling crime of modern slavery, to pursue and prosecute those who trade in human beings for profit, and to protect and support victims. Modern slavery is just one of the many manifestations of s...
0.331821
293
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.55.0
I am grateful to the Home Secretary for giving way so early in her speech. As she knows, I support the creation of the National Crime Agency and the Select Committee has recently taken evidence from Keith Bristow on his first year in office. Given the failings of the Serious Organised Crime Agency—or, to put it another...
Keith Vaz
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
I am grateful to the Home Secretary for giving way so early in her speech. As she knows, I support the creation of the National Crime Agency and the Select Committee has recently taken evidence from Keith Bristow on his first year in office. Given the failings of the Serious Organised Crime Agency—or, to put it another...
0.257141
294
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.55.1
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the support he has shown for the National Crime Agency. I think that the agency is on the right track. There is always more that can be done, but the NCA is obviously building up its operations and capabilities. One crucial difference between the NCA and SOCA is the way in ...
Theresa May
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the support he has shown for the National Crime Agency. I think that the agency is on the right track. There is always more that can be done, but the NCA is obviously building up its operations and capabilities. One crucial difference between the NCA and SOCA is the way in ...
0.317575
295
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.55.2
I fully endorse the provisions of the Bill that will make it easier to attach assets resulting from criminal behaviour. The Home Secretary referred earlier to pensioner scams, of which there have been many in my constituency recently, as well as in other parts of north Wales and in Cheshire. Sometimes we have the Chesh...
Elfyn Llwyd
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
I fully endorse the provisions of the Bill that will make it easier to attach assets resulting from criminal behaviour. The Home Secretary referred earlier to pensioner scams, of which there have been many in my constituency recently, as well as in other parts of north Wales and in Cheshire. Sometimes we have the Chesh...
0.300998
296
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.55.3
The way in which the National Crime Agency operates involves a decision on how best to deal with any particular organised crime group that comes to its attention. The agency works with individual police forces as well as with the regional organised crime units to ensure that assets are being used as effectively as poss...
Theresa May
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
The way in which the National Crime Agency operates involves a decision on how best to deal with any particular organised crime group that comes to its attention. The agency works with individual police forces as well as with the regional organised crime units to ensure that assets are being used as effectively as poss...
0.274251
297
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.56.0
On the point about co-ordination, we must also remember the incentive scheme that encourages the many bodies involved to investigate and to confiscate the proceeds of crime. Has the Home Office reviewed that scheme yet to see whether it needs to be revised, as was suggested to the Public Accounts Committee last year? G...
David Burrowes
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
On the point about co-ordination, we must also remember the incentive scheme that encourages the many bodies involved to investigate and to confiscate the proceeds of crime. Has the Home Office reviewed that scheme yet to see whether it needs to be revised, as was suggested to the Public Accounts Committee last year? G...
0.310928
298
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.56.1
My hon. Friend raises an important point. We are continually looking at that issue. Indeed, the Criminal Finances Board, under the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire Moorlands (Karen Bradley), has looked into it. I want to talk about those parts of the Bill tha...
Theresa May
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
My hon. Friend raises an important point. We are continually looking at that issue. Indeed, the Criminal Finances Board, under the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire Moorlands (Karen Bradley), has looked into it. I want to talk about those parts of the Bill tha...
0.306005
299
da75ed09-b195-4a79-8ef1-3c74c3d5af48
uk.org.publicwhip/debate/2015-01-05c.56.2
rose—
Yvette Cooper
null
null
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Serious Crime Bill [Lords]
UK Ebola Preparedness
rose—
0.17461