Results 1-20 of 603 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Alan Meale

Building Colleges for the Future (25 Mar 2009)

Alan Meale: I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Southport (Dr. Pugh) on securing this debate on a very serious matter. Taking up the theme of his introduction, will the Minister tell his right hon. and hon. Friends at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills that we need a much fuller debate? This short period is totally insufficient to do justice to the seriousness of the matter. In my...

Building Colleges for the Future (25 Mar 2009)

Alan Meale: On a point of order, Mr. Benton. The Minister knows of the seriousness of the situation at West Nottinghamshire college, which has already spent £7.5 million at the direction of the LSC—

The Tote (15 Jul 2008)

Alan Meale: I declare my interest in the Tote, Mr. Hood. I am not connected with its finances, but I have an interest in racing and the sport of racing. The Minister made the valid point that outstanding matters may still affect the levy. Perhaps my right hon. Friend should reflect on the present state of the financial markets. If we include other outstanding elements such as the ongoing legal battle...

The Tote (15 Jul 2008)

Alan Meale: May I point out that instability is to be found everywhere in the high street and in business at present? Yes, it is true that advantage might be taken of certain financial situations, but I ask my right hon. Friend to consider the fact that the instability in Wigan may be caused by such outside factors. The threat to people who work there is that their jobs may be sold off. They might not be...

The Tote (15 Jul 2008)

Alan Meale: On the point about giving various countries' transitional arrangements, would my right hon. Friend care to speculate on the situation in France, which was one of the founding members of the European Union and whose transitional arrangements, unlike the UK's Tote arrangements, seem to be going on for ever, ad infinitum?

Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of Lancaster: National Youth Volunteering Programme (7 May 2008) has video

Alan Meale: Is the Minister aware that we have a very active volunteer centre in Mansfield? Part of it is the new Artemis project that deals with young ex-offenders. I hope that he will give that project a fair wind today, and give us some news about its future.

Orders of the Day: Clause 57 — Application of act to extensions (13 Dec 2007) has video

Alan Meale: In the few minutes that remain, it would be remiss of me, as Chairman of the Select Committee, if I did not pay due tribute to the staff of the House who worked alongside us. The Clerks worked diligently on the Bill. I also pay particular thanks to the Chairman of the Catering Committee—a very important and powerful person—because he helped the Committee by making staff available...

Orders of the Day: Clause 57 — Application of act to extensions (13 Dec 2007) has video

Alan Meale: Considerably.

Orders of the Day: Clause 23 — Overriding duty of Office of Rail Regulation before Crossrail operational (13 Dec 2007) has video

Alan Meale: Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. May I say that I find the situation bewildering? I am sure that you are correct in this, but I think that the hon. Gentleman is making a valid point. On such important matters as that, Members of Parliament should be advised in advance of any serious decisions taken about a constituency matter.

Coal Health Claims (23 May 2007)

Alan Meale: I must enlighten my hon. Friend a little. I know those two gentleman and the organisation well. I do not represent a constituency in the north-east of England, but I know about their activities, as do many hon. Members who are present. I have no financial connection with the organisation, but I must tell him that he is not blind and he is well aware of what the NUM does in the north-east of...

Coal Health Claims (23 May 2007)

Alan Meale: My hon. Friend has paid tribute to Thompsons and is also critical of them. Can we move on to other solicitors who had their hands in the till, or their snouts in the trough, such as Beresfords of Doncaster, who have earned hundreds of millions of pounds from such cases?

Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe (9 May 2007)

Alan Meale: May I add to my hon. Friend's remarks about our association with countries not in the great European area? He will be aware of the work being done by the Council of Europe on environmental issues and of the sterling work done by our friends across the Atlantic, particularly in Mexico and Canada, who heeded the Council's call to sign the Kyoto protocol and to put pressure on the United States...

Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe (9 May 2007)

Alan Meale: Does my hon. Friend recall that over the two or three years when people sought to get Russia to sign the Kyoto protocol, it was the Council of Europe that bridged the gap—so much so that when Russia eventually signed, its Government sent their Environment Minister to attend the debate in Strasbourg?

Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe (9 May 2007)

Alan Meale: Perhaps my hon. Friend will also recall the contribution of the ex-Member of Parliament for Hull, North, Kevin McNamara, who, single-handedly really, ensured that there was a wide selection of judges for the European Court of Human Rights, played such a part in getting fairness into that choice programme and improved dramatically the standard of judges who went into the Court.

Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe (9 May 2007)

Alan Meale: Would my hon. Friend care to put on the record the appreciation of all the members of the British delegation for the work of the staff from this Parliament and, last but not least, for the work of the ambassador and his staff in Strasbourg? I believe that the ambassador is shortly to retire.

Point of Order: Crossrail Bill [Instruction] (No. 5) (25 Apr 2007)

Alan Meale: Will my hon. Friend confirm to the House the importance of such a stop, given that about 100 buses go into Woolwich every hour, and by 2030, I am told, more than 100,000 people will live within a 20-minute journey of it?

Point of Order: Crossrail Bill [Instruction] (No. 5) (25 Apr 2007)

Alan Meale: I want to put on record my thanks for all the kind remarks that hon. Members have made about the Crossrail Committee. First, I thank my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for introducing the instruction to allow my Committee to examine and report more fully on the need for the Crossrail Bill to include a new station at Woolwich. He and his boss, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, are...

Opposition Day: Crossrail Bill (Carry Over) (31 Oct 2006)

Alan Meale: It was remiss of me not to mention that a number of Members of Parliament came forward to help their constituents in the tortuous process of appearing before a Select Committee, staying with them during the process and advising them before and afterwards. We were extremely grateful for their work in that respect.

Opposition Day: Crossrail Bill (Carry Over) (31 Oct 2006)

Alan Meale: I pay tribute to the offer that has been made by the Secretary of State and the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, South (Mr. Harris). Both of them have worked extremely diligently and honestly to try to find a brokered solution that will be acceptable to all. I also pay tribute to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), who speaks...

Opposition Day: Crossrail Bill (Carry Over) (31 Oct 2006)

Alan Meale: I am grateful to the Secretary of State. The Committee has sat not only while the House of Commons has been sitting, but outside those times. On one occasion, we actually worked during a recess. I thus pay tribute to the Committee's members, who have been thorough and honest brokers for the work that they have been given. During the Committee's evidence sessions, we have heard from a plethora...