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Parliamentary Speeches
This page contains links to
some of my recent parliamentary
speeches and questions. Click on the link to see the
full debate.
Also see the
Parliamentary
Questions
I have been asking.
Debates
Orders of the Day: Climate Change Bill
[Lords] (9 Jun
2008)
Joan Walley: I
am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way and for his kind
words about the role of the Environmental Audit Committee. The
work that he has just announced to the House is likely to generate
the same sympathy in respect of shipping, because if we have to
wait longer for shipping to be included than we do for aviation,
that will be unfair on UK manufacturers. We need all emissions to
be...
[Mr. David Amess in the Chair] — Biofuels
(5 Jun 2008)
Joan Walley: I
am glad that the Minister referred to the Gallagher report—it will
obviously inform UK policy. Will he share with the House the
conclusions of the draft report, which I believe are available?
Will he place them in the Library?
[Mr. David Amess in the Chair] — Biofuels
(5 Jun 2008)
Joan Walley: In
terms of the headline report that the hon. Gentleman has given and
the detailed aspects of his contribution, will he tell the House
which of the Committee's recommendations he disagrees with?
[Mr. David Amess in the Chair] — Biofuels
(5 Jun 2008)
Joan Walley: I
have been listening very carefully to my hon. Friend. Does he
agree that it is important that we have a vision and a goal and
that we take action? However, when we take that action it is
important that we put in the necessary sustainability standards;
otherwise, that action will distort the very objective that we
seek to achieve. I agree with him that we need those standards,
but we need to...
[Mr. David Amess in the Chair] — Biofuels
(5 Jun 2008)
Joan Walley: I
welcome this opportunity to discuss the Environmental Audit
Committee's report, "Are Biofuels Sustainable?" I thank our
Chairman, the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo), for
presenting such an informed summary of the Committee's detailed
work. I am really pleased to see so many Committee members here
today and that so many people want to speak. I hope that my
contribution will support...
Orders of the Day: Energy from Renewable
Resources (3 Jun
2008)
Joan Walley: In
view of what the Minister has just said about Germany, and of what
he said to me in a letter on this very issue in March, in advance
of the Energy Bill going through Parliament, and of the EU
report's finding that now, "as in 2005, well-adapted feed in
tariff regimes are generally the most efficient and effective
support schemes for promoting renewable electricity", will he
share with us...
Orders of the Day: Energy from Renewable
Resources (3 Jun
2008)
Joan Walley: In
a letter to me on this subject, the Minister said: "However, it is
not yet clear how feed-in tariffs would work with the UK's more
competitive electricity market". In view of what he is now saying
about domestic microgeneration, can we now make some progress on
that issue? Will he tell me how he has dealt with the competitive
electricity market and whether there is now a possibility of...
Oral Answers to Questions — Work and
Pensions: Benefits System
(2 Jun 2008)
Joan Walley: I
welcome the progress that my right hon. Friend the Minister has
made in extending the 16-hour rule to Stoke-on-Trent, but further
flexibility is needed. In particular, will he look at the
situation faced by those on incapacity benefit who are anxious to
gain skills and move into education and training, but who do not
want to have to go on to jobseeker's allowance to do so, and will
he get...
Orders of the Day: Regulatory Enforcement
and Sanctions Bill [ Lords]
(21 May 2008)
Joan Walley:
Will my hon. Friend give way?
Orders of the Day: Regulatory Enforcement
and Sanctions Bill [ Lords]
(21 May 2008)
Joan Walley:
Given what my hon. Friend has just said about the membership of
the new LBRO and the importance of drawing on the expertise of
trading standards officers, will he give the House an assurance
that there will be an opportunity to involve environmental health
officers who, along with trading standards officers, play an
important role in making sure that public health standards are of
the highest...
[Mr. Joe Benton in the Chair] — Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (Industrial Relations)
(21 May 2008)
Joan Walley:
Many years ago when I was a shadow Shipping Minister, the
coastguard issue was very important. The hon. Gentleman is talking
about intelligence in advanced search and rescue. I want to say
through him to the Under-Secretary that it is essential to have a
proper pay structure that recognises the detailed and courageous
work that our coastguard does, not only in coastal areas, but
serving...
Oral Answers to Questions — Health: Topical
Questions (6 May
2008)
Joan Walley: If
he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
Oral Answers to Questions — Health: Topical
Questions (6 May
2008)
Joan Walley: May
I ask my right hon. Friend why, in connection with the
consultation on the framework for the registration of health and
adult social care providers, which is due to end shortly, he has
decided to exclude non-urgent patient transport services from the
services that will come under the remit of the Care Quality
Commission? Those services—including taking people who need
dialysis to...
Orders of the Day: Clause 3 — Abolition of
starting and savings rates and creation of starting rate for
savings (28 Apr
2008)
Joan Walley: In
the few minutes that remain, will my right hon. Friend give us
assurances on the proposals from my right hon. Friend the Member
for Birkenhead (Mr. Field)?
Orders of the Day: Clause 3 — Abolition of
starting and savings rates and creation of starting rate for
savings (28 Apr
2008)
Joan Walley:
Does my right hon. Friend agree that another group that we need to
ensure is represented to the Treasury Select Committee is people
in manufacturing areas and heartland constituencies who have taken
early retirement? Many of them are ex-miners from our former
coalfields, and they are particularly concerned about how they
will be identified and how their tax increase of about £240 per...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Ticket
Touting (24 Apr
2008)
Joan Walley: It
is a great privilege to take part in a parliamentary debate with a
ringside seat as a spectator of the inside workings of the
Culture, Media and Sport Committee. All parliamentarians want to
see how well our Select Committees are not only scrutinising what
the Government are doing, but contributing to future policy and
guiding the direction of travel. Stoke-on-Trent is the birthplace
of...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Ticket
Touting (24 Apr
2008)
Joan Walley:
Does my hon. Friend agree that Robbie Williams is where he is
today because of the rich cultural life in Stoke-on-Trent, in
Burslem and other towns of the Potteries?
Orders of the Day: Finance Bill
(21 Apr 2008)
Joan Walley: I
am grateful for the opportunity to take two minutes to make a
specific point that relates to my constituency. I apologise to the
House that I was not present at the start of the debate, but I had
urgent constituency business. If I had had the chance to make a
long speech, I would have wanted to refer to the 10p tax rate and
to have said that I have every confidence that the Government
will...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley:
Indeed, we are engaging with the regional development agency, but
the ceramics industry is relevant to this debate because small art
potteries continue to be driven by design, use of colour and
finely tuned hand skills. Their principal defences against
counterfeiting are copyright and trademark. As well as having a
bigger debate about industrialised production and manufacturing,
it is...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley:
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley: I
am most grateful. I have indeed read the document with a
toothcomb, and I take great heart from a comment on page 64, which
I referred to earlier. It states that the ceramics movement is
redefining itself "as part of a new creative economy." That is
good enough for me, and good enough to ensure that the Government
will work with me in that area.
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley: It
is a great pleasure to take part in this debate, particularly
under your chairmanship, Mr. Weir, because I found out today what
it is like to be sitting in the Chair with the referee's outfit
on. I must say, echoing the hon. Member for Perth and North
Perthshire (Pete Wishart), that it is clearly an immensely
entertaining debate, and I have looked forward to it. When we
consider the...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley: As
someone who has not served on the Select Committee and who has not
followed all the detailed developments that have clearly taken
place in relation to where the Crafts Council should be in future,
I am very hesitant to give my view on what is clearly a
contentious issue. However, such is my confidence in my right hon.
Friend the Minister that, whatever decision is made about where
those...
[Mr. Mike Weir in the Chair] — Creative
Industries (20
Mar 2008)
Joan Walley:
Does my right hon. Friend agree that in the various stages that
her Department has gone through to reach the current policy
position on creative industries, the reference to ceramics and
textiles on page 64 of the document "Unlocking Talent" means that
the ceramics industry is at the core of her commitment to creative
industries?
Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of
Lancaster: National Security Strategy
(19 Mar 2008)
Joan Walley: I
particularly welcome the support that the Prime Minister will be
giving to our armed forces and the £20 million homes investment
plan, although more may be needed in respect of social housing. On
climate change, it is essential that we develop a strategy for
sustainable global security. Will he have talks with the Oxford
Research Group in delivering the new role that climate change...
Warm Front
(3 Mar 2008)
Joan Walley:
Does my hon. Friend agree that many vulnerable people have
benefited from the scheme? Does he agree also that the important
thing is to have detailed talks with the Minister at DEFRA, so
that we understand exactly where the costs of all the contracts
are, but at the same time ensure that there is enough money, a
high enough ceiling and sufficient criteria, so that previous work
to install...
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (LISBON TREATY) (No.
7): Treaty of Lisbon (No. 8) — [8th Allotted Day]
(27 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley: Mr.
Brown is attending a meeting in the House next week and his book
is called "Mobilizing to Save Civilization". If we have the
political will, we need the institutions.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (LISBON TREATY) (No.
7): Treaty of Lisbon (No. 8) — [8th Allotted Day]
(27 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley: I
am pleased to follow the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo
Swinson). I say to her and to the House that many distinguished
people from the Environmental Audit Committee are speaking with
great distinction in the House today, especially on environmental
issues. It is great to see so many past and present members.
During the past 10 years, that Committee has played a key role
in...
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (LISBON TREATY) (No.
7): Treaty of Lisbon (No. 8) — [8th Allotted Day]
(27 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley: In
view of what my right hon. Friend has said about aviation, would
he agree that an equal, if not stronger, case needs to be made for
shipping? Everything has been concentrated on aviation, and it is
now vital to press through the International Maritime Organisation
for a proper carbon regime for shipping. That can best be done
through the EU.
Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and
Local Government: Topical Questions
(26 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley:
Will the Minister take a very close look at the representations
made by the six local authorities that each have less than half
the sum that they need for the Supporting People programme? Will
she look closely at speeding up the pace of change of the grant
formula and have urgent talks with Stoke-on-Trent city council to
see whether we can use underspend from other areas or whether,
through...
Oral Answers to Questions — Home
Department: Topical Questions
(25 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley:
Today, the Addaction report has said that the cost of illegal drug
use has been £110 million in the past 10 years and that just 10
per cent. of total spending is going on drug treatment. This week,
the Government are set to unveil their strategy on drug treatment.
Will my right hon. Friend consider how we can work with the police
and the north Staffordshire safer communities partnership?...
Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No.
4): Treaty of Lisbon (No. 5) — [5th allotted day]
(20 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley: I
would be grateful if the Foreign Secretary could give a little
more clarification about how the new way in which policy will be
defined links to the ideas put forward by the Oxford Research
Group about sustainable security and the need to move from a
paradigm of defence and control to one where we examine the issues
of international development and, specifically, climate change.
Will he...
Orders of the Day: New Clause 1 — Certain
regulated activities to be functions of a public nature
(18 Feb 2008)
Joan Walley: I
welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this group of
amendments and new clauses and I say to my hon. Friend the
Minister that I support the spirit of the proposed changes. I
would like to consider briefly aspects that relate to the trend of
contracting out and privatisation of health and social care
services. At a time when an increasing number of public services
are provided by the...
Oral Answers to Questions — Business,
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Enterprise
(17 Jan 2008)
Joan Walley:
What steps he is taking to promote enterprise.
Oral Answers to Questions — Business,
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Enterprise
(17 Jan 2008)
Joan Walley: I
am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his reply. I welcome
everything that the Government are doing to increase enterprise.
We in Stoke-on-Trent, which is not traditionally renowned for the
number of its small enterprises, are very proud that it was the
winner of the Enterprising Britain award. I have been in touch
with the "Make Your Mark" campaign and we have great hopes that,
from now...
Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and
Local Government: Housing (Stoke-on-Trent)
(15 Jan 2008)
Joan Walley:
What recent assessment she has made of the demand for council
housing in Stoke-on-Trent.
Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and
Local Government: Housing (Stoke-on-Trent)
(15 Jan 2008)
Joan Walley: I
thank my hon. Friend for that reply. However, in Stoke-on-Trent,
the numbers on the council housing waiting list have increased
from 2,000 in 2003 to 8,000 today. I welcome the Government's
investment in affordable housing, shared ownership and social
housing, but will my hon. Friend reconsider what he can do to help
local authorities build new council houses, including through
access to...
Orders of the Day: Education and Skills
Bill (14 Jan
2008)
Joan Walley: I
broadly welcome the changes introduced today. In Stoke-on-Trent,
we probably have more young people out of education and training
than anywhere else, so the reforms are essential. Does my right
hon. Friend support our proposals for an education improvement
partnership linked to the Building Schools for the Future
programme so we can make sure that we can truly reach out to those
young...
Opposition Day — [5th allotted day]:
Network Rail (8
Jan 2008)
Joan Walley:
rose—
Opposition Day — [5th allotted day]:
Network Rail (8
Jan 2008)
Joan Walley: Our
problems stem from the fragmentation that happened during all the
years of Tory privatisation— [Interruption.] I am glad to see that
the Liberal Democrats agree. The announcement that the Office of
Rail Regulation will investigate the issue is important and
welcome. Will my right hon. Friend give a little more detail of
the extent to which the rail regulator will specifically...
Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of
Lancaster: Youth Volunteering
(12 Dec 2007)
Joan Walley: If
he will make a statement on the progress of the national youth
volunteering programme.
Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of
Lancaster: Youth Volunteering
(12 Dec 2007)
Joan Walley: May
I welcome this truly record investment in the youth volunteering
programme? Will the Minister tell me how many young people will
benefit? Will he investigate how he can work with you, Mr.
Speaker, to establish how we can lead on citizenship and
volunteering? Will he visit my constituency to see how we can
promote awareness of this wonderful programme?
Oral Answers to Questions — Culture, Media
and Sport: Lottery Funding
(10 Dec 2007)
Joan Walley: May
I welcome the money that the Government are putting into sport
through the lottery? Will my right hon. Friend take a particular
interest in the need for his Department to invest in sport in
Stoke-on-Trent? We have an admirable gymnastics club, albeit with
insufficient coaches, and we have great hopes that through the
regeneration agenda and the building schools for the future
programme we...
Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury:
Co-operatives (29
Nov 2007)
Joan Walley:
What steps he is taking to support co-operatives.
Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury:
Co-operatives (29
Nov 2007)
Joan Walley: I
greatly welcome the work that the Government and my hon. Friend
are doing on reviewing the industrial and provident society
legislation. I agree that co-operatives play a huge role across
the country. In advance of introducing any primary legislation,
will she review whether steps could be taken immediately under
regulatory reform legislation to increase the £20,000 limit on...
Orders of the Day: Housing and Regeneration
Bill (27 Nov
2007)
Joan Walley: I
am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for giving way. I think
that the whole House welcomes the proposals. On the subject of
trying to build eco-towns and sustainable low-carbon footprint
homes, and given the debate that is currently under way in the
other place on climate change, as this Bill progresses will my
right hon. Friend consider whether there should be a duty on the
new agency...
Local Government and Public Involvement in
Health Bill (Programme) (No. 3): Clause 64 — Changing governance
arrangements (24
Oct 2007)
Joan Walley: My
hon. Friend the Minister will be aware that his predecessor in the
post was in contact with MPs around Stoke-on-Trent about the
democracy commission. Will he assure the House that these new
amendments are consistent with the proposals for that commission?
Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister:
Health and Social Care
(10 Oct 2007)
Joan Walley: May
I tell my right hon. Friend how much I welcome the statement and
everything that it does to tackle health inequalities,
particularly in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent? Last week, I visited
North Staffordshire Carers Association, and I am sure that it will
welcome the extra £190 million that will be available nationally.
The real issue, which Opposition Members have raised, concerns...
Oral Answers to Questions — Health:
Sustainable Railways
(24 Jul 2007)
Joan Walley: May
I say how much we welcome the improvements in the west coast main
line? Labour Members who travel on it regularly know what a real
difference it has made. But in looking at the plan ahead, will my
right hon. Friend look at the role of local services, because if
we have the extra use on the west coast main line, we need to
improve local services along the line? It is no use just having
an...
Orders of the Day: Rating (Empty
Properties) Bill
(7 Jun 2007)
Joan Walley: I
do not wish to let the opportunity pass of having a Treasury
Minister and a Local Government Minister side by side on the Front
Bench without flagging up some issues of regeneration. This is a
short Bill, but it connects with many other areas of Government
policy, including planning—as we heard from the hon. Member for
Surrey Heath (Michael Gove)—and many other initiatives. It...
Orders of the Day: Rating (Empty
Properties) Bill
(7 Jun 2007)
Joan Walley: I
am very pleased to hear my hon. Friend the Minister for Local
Government say that there will be more than that. I hope that he
is right—
Orders of the Day: Rating (Empty
Properties) Bill
(7 Jun 2007)
Joan Walley: I
know that my hon. Friend the Minister said that there would be
more money only from a sedentary position and not formally through
you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but the neighbourhood renewal fund is
used for areas with the greatest deprivation and it is part and
parcel of the economic regeneration needed there. The Bill will
have implications for those areas, and that is why I hope that
Ministers...
Orders of the Day: Rating (Empty
Properties) Bill
(7 Jun 2007)
Joan Walley: In
the south-east there is a real need for affordable homes, but the
position is slightly different in parts of the country that have
not benefited from the investment provided for big cities such as
Manchester and Birmingham. Those areas contain industrial land
that is not let. There is a danger that the letting of such land
would become beneficial only if it were used for residential...
Orders of the Day: New Clause 34 —
Executive arrangements: move to alternative arrangements
(22 May 2007)
Joan Walley:
Will my hon. Friend give way?
Orders of the Day: New Clause 34 —
Executive arrangements: move to alternative arrangements
(22 May 2007)
Joan Walley: I
am listening carefully to my hon. Friend's remarks, but
Stoke-on-Trent is in a category all of its own, because of the
system of a council manager and an elected mayor, and that was
mentioned specifically in the White Paper. Can he reassure me that
arrangements are in hand to enable us to proceed with the promised
commission so that in Stoke-on-Trent we can reach our own decision
on how to...
[Mr. Eric Martlew in the Chair] — Inland
Waterways (West Midlands)
(27 Mar 2007)
Joan Walley: I
know that time is pressing, but the concern is that whatever the
extent of the cuts for the British Waterways Board, it is
resulting in the loss of key personnel, which reduces its ability
to lead. It is that leadership role that results in additional
moneys being lost through the failure to bring down other funding
streams.
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