Results 1-20 of 1,886 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 McDonnell

Coroners and Justice Bill: Clause 13 — Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc: England and Wales (12 Nov 2009)

John McDonnell: rose—

Coroners and Justice Bill: Clause 13 — Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc: England and Wales (12 Nov 2009) has video

John McDonnell: I am sure that my right hon. Friend would not want to traduce the English Collective of Prostitutes or its engagement in the "Newsnight" debate. I watched that debate, and no one stated that there was no trafficking in this country. It was not only the English Collective of Prostitutes, but other bodies, academic institutions and surveys, that have challenged the original figures that were...

Coroners and Justice Bill: Clause 13 — Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc: England and Wales (12 Nov 2009) has video

John McDonnell: Despite my reservations on strict liability, I also welcome these amendments. The phrase "engaged in exploitative conduct" in the amendment will give greater clarity to the interpretation of the law. I would have preferred it if the legislation could have included a definition of trafficking based on international definitions, but I think that we will revisit that some time in the future. I...

Probation Service (4 Nov 2009)

John McDonnell: I want briefly to take up where my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) left off. I am secretary of the justice unions parliamentary group, to which most Members present belong. The issues before us have been raised constantly in debates over the past decade or so, but I want to start by reassuring the Minister of the commitment of those working in the service to the...

Sri Lanka (IDP Camps) — [Dr. William McCrea in the Chair] (28 Oct 2009)

John McDonnell: It is exactly as my right hon. Friend is saying. When everything else fails—exhortations, appeals to humanity and international representations—there is nothing left for us but economic sanctions. The Sri Lankan Government seem to think that they can act with impunity, so let us send them a message: "Release the people from the camps, end the human rights abuses and we will assist...

Closed Circuit Television (Monitoring and Promotion): Clause 2 — General objective (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: I want to be clear on this point, because a question has been raised about it. Does that include the DEFRA network services jobs?

Closed Circuit Television (Monitoring and Promotion): Clause 2 — General objective (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: I wish to speak to amendments 45 and 46, which are in my name. On Government amendment 4, I echo the sentiments of my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) regarding the performance of the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies). I have had limited dealings with him on the Bill, and I...

Closed Circuit Television (Monitoring and Promotion): Clause 2 — General objective (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: I concur, and that message has been relayed to staff at the meetings that they have had with the Minister. I am pleased that the Minister has let the staff know that they and the work that they do are valued, and will be valued in the new organisation. I seek to amend schedule 1 of the Bill which deals with the establishment of the new organisation. Amendment 45 relates to the pay of MMO...

Closed Circuit Television (Monitoring and Promotion): Clause 2 — General objective (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: The intention is clear from the Minister's letter, which I have read into the record today, and it would be an extraordinary act of bad faith if that intention were not implemented. I have no doubt that the Minister is being straightforward in his commitments on this. It is one of the matters that will be monitored in the future and, despite all the compliments that have been paid to the...

Closed Circuit Television (Monitoring and Promotion): Clause 2 — General objective (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: That is straightforward, and I welcome that commitment. I reiterate that the longer-term future is important for the organisation and its ability to connect with the mainstream civil service, and that future pay arrangements must not be allowed to fall out of step with the main DEFRA rates of pay. Pensions is a crucial issue that has been raised by members of staff, and understandably so. Let...

Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and Local Government: Contingency Arrangements (Fire Service) (27 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: The Secretary of State will be aware that, in protecting the lives of our constituents, firefighters provide a service that is second to none in this country, and we congratulate them—the number of them who have died in recent years is a tribute to the sacrifice that is made. The Secretary of State will be aware also of the recent dispute in South Yorkshire, which arose as a result of...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Afghanistan and Pakistan (14 Oct 2009) has video

John McDonnell: Following that point, this year this war has cost not only 200 British lives but 1,000 Afghan lives. It has also destabilised whole areas of Pakistan, all to install a Government who are a byword for corruption. Now we are sending a further 500 British troops and putting their lives at risk. What are the specific criteria for the success of the investment of those 500 troops, because many of...

Gurkha Pensions (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: My constituency contains a large Gurkha community; the Hayes Nepalese association has now been formed and it contains at least 500 people. The old patterns of pension payment no longer reflect the pattern of settlement of Gurkhas, as families now want to reunite, even in this country. As a result, some are living on very low incomes.

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: Perhaps my hon. Friend could enlighten us on the concept of collective reference. To a number of us, it looks like a collective ignoring of key issues, including avoidance of any response to the political gerrymandering by the Tory administration that has gone on in Hammersmith.

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: Now that my hon. Friend has used that analogy, who would she designate as the Flintoff of this debate?

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: Could my hon. Friend at least report the sense in the House that the debate needs to be time-limited—in my view it needs to be before the Queen's Speech, so some time in October, or at least no later than November—and that it should be on a substantive motion so that the House can express its will?

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: Vestas workers are occupying their factory, and it behoves this House to send our support to them. They are not only fighting for their jobs but are at the forefront of the campaign against climate change, and they deserve our support.

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: I say this more in sadness than in anger—although my Mace days may not be completely over—that, despite my raising the issue for three or four years, neither the Secretary of State nor any other Transport Minister has visited my constituency to meet the people who will lose their homes. Will my hon. Friend yet again take back to the Transport Department the request for a Minister...

Royal Assent (21 Jul 2009)

John McDonnell: It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), and the whole House will of course send its condolences to the Hickman family. I want to raise two issues of concern within my constituency that are linked to large-scale planning developments. One is, of course, Heathrow expansion—the threat of the third runway and the sixth terminal, which, as Members will...

Bills Presented: Afghanistan and Pakistan (16 Jul 2009) has video

John McDonnell: As a parent, I find it extremely distressing to see photographs of the young men who have died in the conflict in Afghanistan. Many are so young: I find it hard to come to terms with the death of an 18-year-old barely out of school. Parents and families have taken solace from the fact that their sons have given their lives courageously in the service of this country, and I share that view...