Chris at the Despatch Box

Parliamentary Activity

Leaving the EU

Commons debates

If the Prime Minister is so concerned about employment rights and if she is so concerned about environmental protection, why did it take two years and a defeat by 230 for them to be put on the...

Foxhunting

Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

The League Against Cruel Sports reports 32 kills last year, which is the bare minimum because it cannot monitor every hunt. May I suggest to Ministers that the reason why they do not collect...

Foxhunting

Oral Answers to Questions - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

How many reports he has received of foxes being killed by hunts in England in 2018.

Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill

Public Bill Committees

It is a great pleasure to see you in the Chair once again, Ms Dorries. I do not wish to detain the Committee for very long at all; suffice it to say that I am very supportive of the position of...

Modernising the Defence Estate

Oral Answers to Questions - Defence

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

Does the Minister share my concern that reducing the number of barracks and concentrating them in one place—for example, in the north-west, at Weeton in Preston—reduces the...

Modernising the Defence Estate

Oral Answers to Questions - Defence

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

What recent representations he has received on the modernising the defence estate programme.

[7th Allotted Day]

Points of Order

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

I am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for giving way. Can I just assure her that I will speak to her with respect and not the patronising tone used by the Minister? Further to what has been...

Points of Order

Commons debates

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. It seems to be an all too regular occurrence that announcements by this Government are made outside this House. Of course, it is open to hon. Members...

Rail Electrification

Oral Answers to Questions - Transport

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

It strikes me that a lot of official capacity is currently being sucked out of the Department by preparations for a no-deal Brexit, and that is slowing up projects that should be pushing ahead....

Rail Electrification

Oral Answers to Questions - Transport

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

What recent discussions he has had with Network Rail and train operating companies on plans to extend the electrified rail network.

Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill

Public Bill Committees

May I also say what a pleasure it is to see you in the Chair and serve under your chairmanship, Mr Owen? I echo other Members in giving my best wishes to all members of the Committee for the new...

NHS Long-Term Plan

Commons debates

Over the holiday period, another young woman tragically died of cervical cancer, which she contracted before the age of 25; therefore, she was not able to have a smear test. Will the Secretary of...

Voter ID Pilots

Oral Answers to Questions - Cabinet Office

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

This year’s voter ID pilots cost the taxpayer £1.7 million and the only discernible effect was that several hundred people were prevented from voting. The Minister is refusing to...

Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill

Public Bill Committees

Indeed. I am merely expressing regret that we seem to have made no further progress in this Committee, but we will return. With the festive spirit in mind, I have to say that the hon. Member for...

Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill

Public Bill Committees

It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship once again, Ms Dorries. I look forward to doing so into the new year. I do not wish to detain the Committee very much longer, save to...

Prison Officers: Retention

Oral Answers to Questions - Justice

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

Morale among prison officers is at an all-time low because of low pay, understaffing and soaring violence, and now a retirement age that could go as late as 68. Police officers get the same...

Prison Officers: Retention

Oral Answers to Questions - Justice

Chris Matheson made a speech in the House of Commons

What steps the Government is taking to retain experienced prison officers.

Local Government Funding Settlement

Commons debates

The modus operandi of this Government—whether we are talking about the police, fire services or, as today, local government—is to smash financial support for public authorities and,...

Business of the House

Commons debates

Points of Order

Commons debates

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Has the Prime Minister given you any indication as to whether she will be back in time to face this House at Prime Minister’s questions on...