Results 1-20 of 367 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:John Austin
- Business of the House (15 Oct 2009) has video
John Austin: Mr. Speaker, you will be aware that 25 November is the international day for the elimination of violence against women. This year is the 10th anniversary of the formal proclamation by the United Nations. I hope that the Leader of the House is also aware of the Council of Europe's campaign on violence against women, and of the desire of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to...
- Dartford River Crossing Tolls (17 Dec 2008)
John Austin: When the Transport Bill was going through Parliament, the hon. Member for Thurrock and I were assured by the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which was responsible, that although this was a congestion charge the revenue that arose from it would be used for investment in local transport infrastructure. We heard earlier that some investment went to Dartford and some went to Thurrock,...
- Dartford River Crossing Tolls (17 Dec 2008)
John Austin: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
- Dartford River Crossing Tolls (17 Dec 2008)
John Austin: The hon. Gentleman will know that many of my constituents live much closer to the Dartford crossing than many of the residents of Thurrock or Dartford. Is he aware that until recently, when the discount scheme was introduced, Dartford was receiving, through Kent county council, £1 million a year, and Thurrock was receiving £750,000 a year from the tolls for local transport? Would...
- Health Care (Bexley) (16 Oct 2008) has video
John Austin: In his speech, the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) often used the word "downgrading." Does my hon. Friend share my view that there is a powerful and arguable case for the separation of elective care from trauma services? Is he aware that the proposals for Queen Mary's Sidcup mean that it will become a centre of excellence for elective care, including cancer services,...
- Health Care (Bexley) (16 Oct 2008) has video
John Austin: The hon. Gentleman has referred to accident and emergency departments, but he will know that the plans under "A Picture of Health" provide for a 24-hour urgent care centre to cover all but the major emergency, blue-light casualty services. In the unfortunate event that he were to suffer a stroke or have a cardiac arrest, would he rather go to the hospital that is nearest, or to the one with...
- Business of the House: International Women's Day (6 Mar 2008) has video
John Austin: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
- Business of the House: International Women's Day (6 Mar 2008) has video
John Austin: I would like to comment on a couple of points raised by the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson). First, she referred to her favourite spots in touring the House, mentioning Earl Falkland's statue and the broken sword. When I take constituents around the House, my favourite part is the broom cupboard in the crypt chapel, where Emily Wilding Davison spent census night in 1911. A...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Health: Quality and Outcomes Framework (5 Feb 2008)
John Austin: What progress has been made in agreeing the GP quality and outcomes framework.
- Oral Answers to Questions — Health: Quality and Outcomes Framework (5 Feb 2008)
John Austin: I wonder whether the Secretary of State has seen the recent evidence showing that only one in 10 women who have suffered a fragility fracture have been referred for a bone scan to discover whether they have osteoporosis. The figure for men is one in 50. I am sure that the Secretary of State is aware of the cost-effectiveness of early diagnosis of osteoporosis. Will he therefore ensure at an...
- Opposition Day — [6th allotted day]: Human Trafficking (16 Jan 2008) has video
John Austin: I start my speech where the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) finished his by drawing that comparison between the current horrendous slavery that we face today and that of the past. According to the International Labour Organisation, the estimated minimum number of persons exploited as a result of trafficking at a given time is approaching 2.5 million—an estimate made in...
- Opposition Day — [6th allotted day]: Human Trafficking (16 Jan 2008) has video
John Austin: The hon. Gentleman has made the point that it is necessary to have the measures in place in order to ratify. He criticised the Government for not having ratified when 12 other states have done so. Is he confident that those states have the necessary mechanisms on their statute books to be able to implement the convention?
- Queen Mary's Hospital (Sidcup) (19 Oct 2007)
John Austin: The hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Derek Conway) has highlighted the anxiety felt by his constituents and those of other Members present. People are attached to their local hospitals for very good reasons, and he has identified some of the reasons why so many people are attached to Queen Mary's, Sidcup. We need an assurance from the Minister that there will continue to be four...
- Blackwall Tunnel (Contraflow) (17 May 2007)
John Austin: I thank the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) for allowing me to speak in his debate. I share his view that it is important that we have the widest possible consultation and debate on the implications of what has happened. As the hon. Gentleman said, the southern portal of the tunnel is in Greenwich, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr....
- Blackwall Tunnel (Contraflow) (17 May 2007)
John Austin: I wonder what the Opposition would be saying if Transport for London had not heeded the police advice and a head-on collision had occurred in the tunnel. The hon. Gentleman talks of near misses, but the consequences of a head-on collision would be horrendous. The evidence suggests that the emergency services would not be able to get to the scene, and there could be damage to the tunnel, which...
- Business of the House (15 Mar 2007)
John Austin: The Leader of the House will know of my enthusiastic support for the introduction of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. I still believe that it is vital to ensuring the availability of effective treatment and value for money in the NHS. Nevertheless, he will be aware of growing disquiet both among Labour Members and throughout the House about delays in the assessment...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Skills: ESOL Classes (15 Mar 2007)
John Austin: I know that the Minister shares my view of the importance of a grasp of the English language to both social inclusion and community cohesion. I had many concerns about his original proposals, but I am extremely grateful for the concessions and changes that he announced recently, which will go a long way towards allaying my concerns and those of colleagues. Nevertheless, there remains real...
- Orders of the Day: "Schedule 29B — Promotions of Bills in Parliament by the London Waste Authority (27 Feb 2007)
John Austin: I am sorry to disagree with my neighbour and right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), but I cannot think of any function that is more strategic than that of waste management in London. Is my hon. Friend aware of the failure of the western London boroughs to achieve their recycling targets? In my part of London, they have taken the easy option of going for mass...
- Orders of the Day: Energy Saving (Daylight) Bill (26 Jan 2007)
John Austin: Does my hon. Friend accept that a high proportion of the 100 lives lost are those of young children?
- Sheltered Accommodation (Bexley) (9 Jan 2007)
John Austin: I am grateful to the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Derek Conway) and to the Minister for allowing me to participate in the debate. As the hon. Gentleman has said, the homes under threat are in his constituency and in Bexleyheath and Crayford. There is none in mine, because when the housing stock transfer took place, the social housing in my constituency was transferred to a...