Results 1-20 of 563 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Geraldine Smith

Business of the House (29 Oct 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: It is painfully clear to the whole country that the two sides in the postal dispute cannot reach agreement. Will the Minister with responsibility for postal services come to the House and explain why he will not instruct Royal Mail to go to arbitration so that we can stop the dispute?

Opposition Day — [19th allotted day]: Equitable Life (21 Oct 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: It is important that the Minister takes note of the ombudsman. However, it is equally important that we introduce a scheme as quickly as possible to help as many people as possible. No one has mentioned the financial cost, but that must be a consideration.

Opposition Day — [19th allotted day]: Equitable Life (21 Oct 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: The costs are very important, as is the time scale involved. How much does the hon. Gentleman expect the proposal to cost, and according to what time scale does he see the money being spent?

Opposition Day — [19th allotted day]: Equitable Life (21 Oct 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: rose—

Nato: Royal Mail (20 Oct 2009)

Geraldine Smith: If Royal Mail's case is so strong, why is it not prepared to go to arbitration? Why is it saying that it will consider it only if the union calls off the strike? That is silly playground posturing. It should get to arbitration, and arbitration should be binding on both sides. This is causing misery for businesses and people up and down the country, and the Government are washing their hands...

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice: Equitable Life (21 Jul 2009)

Geraldine Smith: What is the point of the ombudsman doing her report if the Government do not accept the recommendations? Is it not time that the policyholders had the justice that they deserve?

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice: Electoral Reform (21 Jul 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: Of course a proper public debate is important, but does my right hon. Friend agree that, whatever system we have and whatever reform takes place, it is also important that we retain the constituency link and the constituency representation? What we do not want are any list systems.

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice: Topical Questions (21 Jul 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: I was alarmed about the case of a constituent of mine who was the victim of an assault and robbery at a cash machine. The criminal who committed the crime was given a suspended sentence. Will my right hon. Friend look at the case if I send details to him?

Opposition Day — [16th Allotted Day]: Caring for the Elderly (15 Jul 2009)

Geraldine Smith: I do not know about Norwich, but I was recently talking to a pensioner in Morecambe who told me that he would be voting Labour because of the winter fuel allowance, the free TV licence, the free bus pass and pension credit. He did not trust the Conservative party, because he was old enough to remember the 1980s and the last Conservative Government.

Opposition Day — [16th Allotted Day]: Caring for the Elderly (15 Jul 2009)

Geraldine Smith: If the hon. Gentleman has been debating the issue, what are his party's proposals? We have not seen them. When will his party tell the British people of its policies, or does it not have any?

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Care and Support (Reform) (14 Jul 2009)

Geraldine Smith: The mark of a civilised society is how well we look after the sick, old and vulnerable. This Government have done much to look after the sick. People can now obtain operations when they need them rather than having to die waiting for them, so they have a chance to grow old. I welcome the statement, which is long overdue. I appreciate the reasons for that—the Government had a lot to deal...

Energy and Climate Change: Newspapers (Surveillance Methods) (9 Jul 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: These allegations have serious implications for national security. If Cabinet members and the Deputy Prime Minister had their phones tapped, what did the Metropolitan police know? Were they aware of this, and if so, why did they not tell the Deputy Prime Minister and other senior Cabinet Ministers?

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Constitutional Renewal (10 Jun 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: One democratic reform that I feel that the British public would like to see is a referendum on the principle of whether we remain in the European Union. No one under the age of 50 has had a chance to vote on the question of Europe and I think that, as a matter of course, we should have a referendum once every 15 to 20 years.

Business of the House (19 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: It is really important that schoolchildren have an opportunity to visit the House, but I am struggling to arrange that for schools in my constituency. I am told that we are completely booked up until at least September or October. It is particularly difficult for schools in the north, because they have to come on a Monday or Tuesday; the other days are no good to them. Could those schools be...

Oral Answers to Questions — Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Hooper Report (19 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: What recent assessment he has made of the findings of the Hooper Report on the future of Royal Mail.

Oral Answers to Questions — Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Hooper Report (19 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: Are the comparisons in the report made on a like-for-like basis in terms of prices and the services provided? Does the report not fail to identify either the cause of the pensions deficit or the devastating effect that unfair competition has had on Royal Mail?

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (11 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: The case for the partial sale of Royal Mail is crumbling and opposition is growing across the country and in this House. Is it not about time that the Government dropped that unwanted and unnecessary measure from its postal services reforms?

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — HMRC (Office Closures) (11 Mar 2009)

Geraldine Smith: I shall be brief. The consultation was a complete sham. The hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) and I, Lancaster city council, the chamber of trade and many local organisations objected to the closure of the Lancaster office, but it was still announced on 4 December. May I ask my right hon. Friend the Minister why we always do such things before Christmas? Is it to cause the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport: Railway Stations (10 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: Can the Minister tell me whether Silverdale station is on his list of stations for safety and accessibility improvements? If he cannot, will he look at the issue to see what can be done? Schoolchildren use the station in the mornings, and they have to cross the track to reach the relevant platform. That is a safety issue. Furthermore, Silverdale is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. We...

Business of the House: Regional Select Committees (Membership) (3 Mar 2009) has video

Geraldine Smith: It is not that we Labour Members do not have enough to do; it is more that we do not have second jobs and outside interests that take up so much time, which prevent some MPs from doing their parliamentary duties in this House properly. It is those duties that MPs should be concentrating on—not on their outside interests.