PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Point of Order - 10 December 2024 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Adam Dance, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Adam Dance
Yeovil
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. On 1 August, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care about the closure of Yeovil district hospital’s hyper-acute stroke unit. Despite following up several times, including with his senior staff, I have not received a response. On 2 December, I submitted a named-day parliamentary question for response on 6 December, but I have received only a holding answer. My understanding is that while Members can occasionally expect to receive a holding answer, we should usually receive a proper answer by the due date, or at least in a timely manner. From a previous parliamentary exchange, I understand that the decision to give a holding answer is determined by the terms of the question, how much information is sought and how difficult it is to obtain, but I do not believe that I am asking a question of great difficulty. What more can I do to ensure a response from the Department for my constituency of Yeovil?
Mr Speaker
The Chair is not responsible for the quality or timeliness of Ministers’ answers to correspondence or to questions, but it seems to me that the hon. Gentleman has waited an awfully long time, both for a reply to his letter and for a substantive answer to his written question. I am sure that those on the Treasury Bench will have noted his remarks, and I hope that somebody from the Department of Health and Social Care is already drafting a response. I am sure that they will be in touch with him very soon to explain what is going on. I do not want to have to keep repeating this, but Members have a right to expect timely answers to correspondence, and to expect that when a holding answer is issued, a substantive reply will be along very soon thereafter. This seems to be a trend; it is becoming more and more apparent that Ministers are not responding. I am still waiting for a Minister in the Lords to respond to me, so I know the frustration well.
Bills Presented
Breast Cancer Screening (Review) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Wera Hobhouse, supported by Clive Jones, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the current arrangements for breast cancer screening, including the potential merits of reducing the minimum age at which women are invited for regular breast cancer screening and of increasing the use of automated breast ultrasound; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 7 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 144).
Carbon Emissions from Buildings (Net Zero) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Ellie Chowns presented a Bill to require new buildings to meet net zero standards for embodied and operational carbon emissions; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July 2025, and to be printed (Bill 148).
Building Regulations (Swift Bricks) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Ellie Chowns presented a Bill to require the installation of swift bricks on new buildings; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July 2025, and to be printed (Bill 149).
Rivers, Streams and Lakes (Protected Status) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Victoria Collins, supported by Jess Brown-Fuller, Dr Danny Chambers, Edward Morello, Tom Gordon, Alex Brewer, Calum Miller, Tessa Munt and Manuela Perteghella
presented a Bill to make provision for the designation of rivers, streams and lakes as having protected status; to specify criteria for minimum standards that a site must meet where it has been designated as a river, stream or lake with protected status; to set minimum standards of water quality, safety, environmental management and provision of information in relation to such sites; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 150).
Bills Presented
Breast Cancer Screening (Review) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Wera Hobhouse, supported by Clive Jones, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the current arrangements for breast cancer screening, including the potential merits of reducing the minimum age at which women are invited for regular breast cancer screening and of increasing the use of automated breast ultrasound; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 7 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 144).
Carbon Emissions from Buildings (Net Zero) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Ellie Chowns presented a Bill to require new buildings to meet net zero standards for embodied and operational carbon emissions; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July 2025, and to be printed (Bill 148).
Building Regulations (Swift Bricks) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Ellie Chowns presented a Bill to require the installation of swift bricks on new buildings; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July 2025, and to be printed (Bill 149).
Rivers, Streams and Lakes (Protected Status) Bill
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Victoria Collins, supported by Jess Brown-Fuller, Dr Danny Chambers, Edward Morello, Tom Gordon, Alex Brewer, Calum Miller, Tessa Munt and Manuela Perteghella
presented a Bill to make provision for the designation of rivers, streams and lakes as having protected status; to specify criteria for minimum standards that a site must meet where it has been designated as a river, stream or lake with protected status; to set minimum standards of water quality, safety, environmental management and provision of information in relation to such sites; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 150).
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