British MPs

Shadow Trade Secretary asks about replicating agreements after Brexit

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 14, 2019
British MPs, Government of the United Kingdom, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Brexit, Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom, Withdrawal from the European Union, Department for International Trade, Barry Gardiner, Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox

Barry Gardiner pushes the Government on trade agreements

Key Points: 
  • Shadow International Trade Secretary, Barry Gardiner, asked the Government an urgent question on the progress the UK has made in replicatingtrade agreements between the UK and those countries with whom the EU has a trade agreement.
  • The Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, responded to the question and stated that"As a Memberof the EU the UK currently participates in around 43 trade agreements withover 70 countries."
  • The Trade Secretary confirmed agreements hadbeen made with a number of countries and further such agreements would be made leading up to Brexit.
  • Shadow International Trade Secretary, Barry Gardiner,replied to the Secretary and commented on a 'risk matrix' document which was leaked in the media.He went on to say that the"Department for International Trade looks as if it has inadequate resources, focussed on the wrongpriorities set by incompetentMinisters."

Government working to bring back FGM legislation

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Christopher Chope, Knights Bachelor, Feminism, Women's health, Women's rights, Violence against women, Wera Hobhouse, Female genital mutilation

Wera Hobhouse asks urgent question on female genital mutilation legislation

Key Points: 
  • Following Sir Christopher Chope's objection to the second reading of theChildren Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill, Wera Hobhouseasked anurgent question to the Government on legislation against female genital mutilation.
  • However, due to the objection from Conservative MP for Christchurch, Sir Christopher Chope, the Bill was denied a second reading.
  • Speaking for the Government, Lucy Frazer, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, said the objection to the Bill was "disappointing" but that work was being done to bring it back in Government time.
  • The Bill aims to enable the courts to make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989 in child cases relating to FGM.

Wera Hobhouse asks Government about FGM legislation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Christopher Chope, Knights Bachelor, Feminism, Women's health, Women's rights, Women, Genital modification and mutilation, Wera Hobhouse, Female genital mutilation, Mutilation

Wera Hobhouse asks urgent question on female genital mutilation legislation

Key Points: 
  • Following Sir Christopher Chope's objection to the second reading of theChildren Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill, Wera Hobhouse is to ask an urgent question to the Government on legislation against female genital mutilation.
  • The Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill is a Private Members' Bill was scheduled to have its second reading in the Commons on Friday 8 February 2019.
  • However, due to the objection from Conservative MP for Christchurch, Sir Christopher Chope, the Bill was denied a second reading.
  • The Bill is to enable the courts to make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989 in child cases relating to FGM.

Wera Hobhouse asks Government about FGM legislation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Christopher Chope, Knights Bachelor, Feminism, Women's health, Women's rights, Women, Genital modification and mutilation, Wera Hobhouse, Female genital mutilation, Mutilation

Wera Hobhouse asks urgent question on female genital mutilation legislation

Key Points: 
  • Following Sir Christopher Chope's objection to the second reading of theChildren Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill, Wera Hobhouse is to ask an urgent question to the Government on legislation against female genital mutilation.
  • The Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill is a Private Members' Bill was scheduled to have its second reading in the Commons on Friday 8 February 2019.
  • However, due to the objection from Conservative MP for Christchurch, Sir Christopher Chope, the Bill was denied a second reading.
  • The Bill is to enable the courts to make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989 in child cases relating to FGM.

This week in the Commons: 8 February 2019

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Statutory law, Legislatures, British MPs, Westminster system, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Christopher Chope, Knights Bachelor, Reading, Public bill committee, Bill, Act of Parliament, Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill

A round up of this week’s business in the Chamber and Westminster Hall

Key Points: 
  • The Bill passed report stage and third reading and will now be considered in the House of Lords.
  • The Value Added Tax Bill started its second reading debate but was withdrawn by its sponsor, Sir Christopher Chope, so will progress no further this session.
  • The Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) (Amendment) Bill passed its second reading and will now be examined in a Public Bill Committee.
  • The Rivers Authorities and Land Drainage Bill passed its second reading and will now be examined in a Public Bill Committee.

Prime Minister's Questions: 6 February 2019

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
House of Commons of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Brexit, British MPs, Alex Sobel, Swansea West, Geraint Davies, Parliament of the United Kingdom, Geraint, Solihull, Aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Environmental Audit Select Committee

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington faces questions from MPs in the Commons

Key Points: 
  • Labour (Co-op) MP, Alex Sobel (Leeds North West), asked about supplies of insulin post-Brexit.
  • Labour (Co-op) MP, Geraint Davies (Swansea West), asked about number of mental health professionals.
  • Conservative MP, Julian Knight (Solihull), asked about Citizens Advice Bureau in Solihull.
  • Conservative MP, Sir Bernard Jenkins (Harwich and North Essex), asked about progress on discussions to replace the NI backstop.

Prime Minister's Questions: 6 February 2019

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
House of Commons of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Brexit, British MPs, Alex Sobel, Swansea West, Geraint Davies, Parliament of the United Kingdom, Geraint, Solihull, Aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Environmental Audit Select Committee

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington faces questions from MPs in the Commons

Key Points: 
  • Labour (Co-op) MP, Alex Sobel (Leeds North West), asked about supplies of insulin post-Brexit.
  • Labour (Co-op) MP, Geraint Davies (Swansea West), asked about number of mental health professionals.
  • Conservative MP, Julian Knight (Solihull), asked about Citizens Advice Bureau in Solihull.
  • Conservative MP, Sir Bernard Jenkins (Harwich and North Essex), asked about progress on discussions to replace the NI backstop.

Sir Nick Clegg asked to give evidence on online abuse of MPs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Operating systems, Software, British MPs, Social media, Universal Windows Platform apps, Solicitors General for England and Wales, Social networking services, Text messaging, Twitter, Nick Clegg, Harriet Harman, Facebook

Joint Committee on Human Rights publishes correspondence with Sir Nick Clegg

Key Points: 
  • MPs from each party have told the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) about the increasing volume of abuse and harassment towards elected officials, particularly through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Chair of the JCHR, Harriet Harman MP writes to Sir Nick Clegg, former deputy prime minister and now head of global affairs for Facebook, asking him to give evidence on this subject, and have also written to Twitter requesting that they send a representative responsible for safety and content moderation in the UK.
  • The Committee is looking at the correct balance between the rights to free expression, to protest, to family life and to security of the person.
  • There is concern that the level of abuse, particularly stemming from social media, is inhibiting MPs freedom to represent their constituents and communicate with the public and undermines the effective functioning of democracy.

Dr John Benger appointed as Clerk of the House of Commons

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
British MPs, Legislatures, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Westminster system, Official Opposition, Government of the United Kingdom, House of Commons Commission, Valerie Vaz, Andrea Leadsom, John Bercow, 41st Canadian Parliament, Speaker of the House of Commons

New Clerk of the House of Commons announced.

Key Points: 
  • Dr John Benger has today been named as the 51st Clerk of the House of Commons, following formal approval from The Queen.
  • The recruitment panel was made up of an independent non-executive member, and four MPs Rt Hon John Bercow MP (Speaker of the House of Commons), Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP (Leader of the House of Commons), Valerie Vaz MP (Shadow Leader of the House of Commons) and Stewart Hosie MP (member of the House of Commons Commission).
  • Dr Benger joined the House of Commons Service in 1986, and currently serves as Clerk Assistant and Managing Director of the Chamber and Committees Team.
  • The post holder is also head of the House of Commons Service, line manager for the Director General of the House of Commons, and a member of the House of Commons Commission and the Commons Executive Board.

Tottenham MP criticises Government's handling of the Windrush Scheme

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
British MPs, London boroughs, London Borough of Haringey, David Lammy, Lammy, Black British history, Windrush, Tottenham, Windrush scandal

David Lammy asks urgent question on Windrush Scheme

Key Points: 
  • MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, asked an urgent question on the Government's Windrush Scheme.
  • The 'Windrush generation' are Commonwealth citizens who are long term UK residents who do not have documents to demonstrate their status.
  • David Lammy replied to the Home Secretary, criticising the Home Office's response to the Windrush issue.
  • He called each case was a "shocking indictment ofthe Government's pandering to far right racism".