Results 1-20 of 2,699 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:David Heathcoat-Amory

[Mr. Bill Olner in the Chair] — Financial Services Regulation (10 Nov 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: Clarity is essential here. Can the Minister assure us that the new supervisory authorities will not have powers of binding mediation over national authorities and, separate to that, that they will not have powers, even in an emergency, to tell national regulators and authorities what to do?

[Mr. Bill Olner in the Chair] — Financial Services Regulation (10 Nov 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr. Olner. The financial services sector, which is the subject of my debate, is extremely important to the British economy and is about to experience big regulatory changes that have not been adequately debated so far. We can all agree, I think, that the recent history of financial services regulation is not a happy one. When the Government took...

[Mr. Bill Olner in the Chair] — Financial Services Regulation (10 Nov 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: I agree with my hon. Friend. The EU has a habit of being obsessed with internal harmonisation. The real question, however, is whether Europe is competitive in the wider world. If such a directive has the effect of driving assets and firms overseas to non-EU jurisdictions, it will be very damaging. That is a particular concern to Europe. I am informed that about 80 per cent. of hedge funds are...

[Mr. Bill Olner in the Chair] — Financial Services Regulation (10 Nov 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: I agree with the hon. Gentleman; openness helps a well-ordered and properly regulated market. Of course, one must ensure that market-sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands, and there is a question mark about what will happen to the information that is given to these new European regulatory authorities. We need certain assurances about that, but I agree with the general...

Olympics: Energy National Policy Statements (9 Nov 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: Instead of being a world beater regarding civil nuclear power, we are now a client state because of 10 years of drift and neglect. Will the right hon. Gentleman atone for that, at least in part, by working with the further education colleges of Somerset to make our county a centre of British nuclear engineering, particularly as Somerset is likely to be the site of the first of the new...

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: European Council (2 Nov 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: Does the Prime Minister recall that at the start of the reform process European leaders were instructed to create a Europe closer to its citizens. Does he think that the spectacle of EU Heads of Government engaging in private bargaining sessions to hand out between themselves the unelected jobs in Europe is more likely to increase or to diminish the public's respect for the European Union?...

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: Nuclear Weapons (2 Nov 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: What recent progress his Department has made in its assessment of the UK's nuclear defence needs; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: Nuclear Weapons (2 Nov 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: The Secretary of State talks entirely about a traditional submarine-based deterrent. Given that the future nuclear threat may well come not from established states but from irregular groups and organisations, will he consider other, more flexible deterrents that use new technologies, rather than big submarines that have big missiles on them?

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (28 Oct 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: As the Prime Minister knows, this is the international year of astronomy. Does he therefore support the campaign for dark skies, which is good for astronomy and also saves energy? If he does, will he play his part by turning off—or at least dimming—the lights in public buildings, including Downing street, where all the lights are on very late into the night?

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport: Local Transport Plan (22 Oct 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: If his Department will amend the local transport plan criteria to allow local authorities more discretion in approving transport schemes.

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport: Local Transport Plan (22 Oct 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: The truth is that there is a box-ticking mentality in the Department, whereby local authorities have to comply with central Government criteria when allocating road improvement funding. Will the Minister accompany me on the protest march along the Berrow coast road this Saturday, when we will be campaigning for the so-called missing link, where there is no footpath or cycle way at all, in aid...

Nato: China (20 Oct 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: Is the Minister aware of China's treatment of refugees from North Korea, and of China's refusal to admit an investigation or access by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees? Does that not rule out any further co-operation so long as China, as a member of the UN Security Council, refuses to abide by human rights obligations that it has signed up to?

Parliamentary Elections (Recall and Primaries): New Clause 12 — Application of construction contracts legislation (13 Oct 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: I am glad to hear my hon. Friend speaking in this way. Is he also aware that subcontractors often find it difficult to get credit insurance against that eventuality, so they are subject to the market strength exerted by the superior contractor? When the ultimate client goes bust, being subject to pay-when-paid contracts puts them in a very difficult position in what is already a recession....

Oral Answers to Questions — Children, Schools and Families: Libya (12 Oct 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: Is not the real problem that we have now in this country two competing jurisdictions—the Scottish Executive and the UK Government—both pursuing aspects of foreign policy and with overlapping and sometimes conflicting responsibilities? What is the Foreign Secretary doing to sort out this muddle and confusion and to prevent it from happening again, so that we can bring some...

Bills Presented: Bill of Rights (21 Jul 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: The Leader of the Opposition has announced a quango hunt. Has my hon. Friend noticed that the sections of the Bill that are largely untouched are the schedules setting out Crown appointments, pensions and pay with regard to the new quango? Has he any idea of the additional costs to the public purse? If it turns out that the new commissioner's duties can be adequately undertaken by the...

Bills Presented: Bill of Rights (21 Jul 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. My understanding is that "Erskine May" refers to a programming Committee that should sit and decide, on each Bill, the allocation of time. It seems from what the Justice Secretary has just said that the programme was agreed in some cross-party Front-Bench deal, to the disadvantage of the wider rights of the House. Could you advise the House whether any...

Bills Presented: Bill of Rights (21 Jul 2009)

David Heathcoat-Amory: Has my hon. Friend taken note of the fact that the treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, will extend the competence of the EU into matters of law and the rights of the accused? If someone claimed to have been libelled or if a trial was prejudiced by proceedings in the House and what is said here, they could go to the European Court of Justice under the charter of fundamental rights to obtain...

Oral Answers to Questions — Culture, Media and Sport: Pub Industry (20 Jul 2009) has video

David Heathcoat-Amory: What recent representations he has received from the public house industry on the future of that industry; and if he will make a statement.