Results 1-20 of 607 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 Smith

Oral Answers to Questions — Wales: Economy (11 Nov 2009)

John Smith: Now that planning permission has been granted for the defence technical college at St. Athan—at seven times the size of the millennium stadium, it is the largest development of its type ever in Wales—what assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the impact of this, the largest vocational training centre in the United Kingdom, on the Welsh economy?

Oral Answers to Questions — Wales: Unemployment (29 Apr 2009) has video

John Smith: What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the Secretary of State for Defence about the Ministry of Defence's policy of sustainable procurement in the defence technical college contract in St. Athan in my constituency? If that policy is adhered to, it will have a dramatic effect on unemployment in south Wales, with planning taking place next month and construction starting next summer.

Royal Assent: Defence in the UK (26 Mar 2009) has video

John Smith: I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to speak in this afternoon's debate. I pay tribute to the magnificence of our armed forces and their daily heroism, which we witness across the world. They are engaged on a number of fronts that nobody predicted or imagined. The House is aware of the tremendous job that they do in every part of the world where they represent the defence of this...

Royal Assent: Defence in the UK (26 Mar 2009) has video

John Smith: I will refer specifically to the timetable, because I think that it is critical at present. As I have said, the project is on course, but Members should bear it in mind that it is one of the largest and most complex PFI projects ever tackled. The idea that no complexities, problems or challenges will arise throughout its duration is absurd. There are bound to be challenges, but I believe that...

Royal Assent: Defence in the UK (26 Mar 2009) has video

John Smith: Very little. This is a £12 billion PFI project spread over 25 to 30 years, but much of the risk will be carried by the private sector, and in particular by the two equity partners in Metrix, QinetiQ and Sodexo. This is a PFI project with much of the risk shifted to one side. As for the cost to the taxpayer, not only will we benefit from the most modern training in the world, but we will...

Business of the House: Defence in the UK (26 Mar 2009) has video

John Smith: I am sure that the whole House supports the offer in the Command Paper to which the Minister referred. However, does the Minister agree that the new training regime to be introduced by the defence training rationalisation programme, which will ensure that all technical qualifications in the military will also be recognised civilian qualifications, will greatly enhance the recruitment and...

Oral Answers to Questions — Wales: Government Funding (11 Mar 2009) has video

John Smith: Will my right hon. Friend assure me that any discussions that he has about central funding and the mechanism used do not undervalue the role of defence expenditure in projects such as the defence technical academy in my constituency at St. Athan? Will he join me in welcoming the news that the joint director for technical training in the military is going to move to St. Athan in April, in...

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the annual Welsh affairs debate. We do not have many opportunities in the House nowadays to discuss Welsh issues exclusively, so the debate is welcome. As previous speakers have said, our debate today takes place against the backdrop of a serious global economic crisis—possibly the worst international financial crisis in the past 100 years....

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: I agree with every word that the hon. Gentleman just said. Indeed, he should forgive me if I have not referred to that point, because the overriding benefit of the project will be to improve training in the military. Perhaps I should remind the House that, unlike now, every technical qualification that will be achieved at the new academy will be a civilian-recognised qualification. We will be...

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: Of course I agree with that. St. Athan has been a huge success story for Wales and for Welsh politics. We won the bid because we were united across the parties and because—let us be clear about this—ours was the best bid. However, I must sound a rather disconcerting note this afternoon. The Command Paper was presented to the House on Tuesday, but—I have given notice of this...

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: I gave notice—I have been in the House long enough to realise that I should do that. What I am doing today I do with a heavy heart. I have never done it before, but the project is too vital to play silly political games with it. The future of Wales is at risk.

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: We have an overriding responsibility to behave responsibly. I will leave it at that, because I gain no personal benefit from making such comments, but it is important that I should make them today. The second, related issue that I wish to raise is about an important piece of transport infrastructure: the M4 link road to Cardiff international airport—that is, to Wales's international...

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: Will the hon. Lady take this opportunity to endorse the view expressed by the Leader of the Opposition the week before last that we should have an open mind on the prospect of a Severn tidal barrage?

Business of the House: Welsh Affairs (26 Feb 2009) has video

John Smith: rose—

Oral Answers to Questions — Wales: Employment (South Wales) (28 Jan 2009) has video

John Smith: Does my right hon. Friend agree that employment levels in south Wales will be greatly improved by the 5,000 jobs brought to the area by the defence technical academy? Does he also agree that it is about time that Opposition Members stopped knocking the project and began pulling together to ensure that it is brought in on time and within budget?

Petitions: Dangerous Drivers (17 Dec 2008) has video

John Smith: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to present a petition signed by almost 25,000 people on the topic of the horrendous, appalling and often tragic consequences of drink-driving. It is particularly pertinent now with Christmas so close. The petition states: The Petition of the family of Aaron Palmer and concerned residents of Vale of Glamorgan and others, Declares...

Petition: Service Accommodation (Glamorgan) (20 Nov 2008) has video

John Smith: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to present this petition on behalf of more than 200 young families in my constituency, who, through no fault of their own, have been billed many hundreds of pounds just before Christmas. The petition states: The Petition of the residents and former residents of ex-Ministry of Defence service family accommodation on the West Vale...

Topical Debate: Defence Policy (30 Oct 2008) has video

John Smith: I welcome the opportunity to speak, albeit briefly, in this afternoon's defence debate. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on his new appointment, which I think is somewhat inspired—I am sure that prediction will be proved right in future. The fact that this is the second full defence debate in almost as many weeks is a sign of what a powerful influence he will...

Topical Debate: Defence Policy (30 Oct 2008) has video

John Smith: No, I do not. Unfortunately, we do not have time to go into the details of the whys and the whys not. I merely point out that the United States of America has one of the highest levels of recruitment of ethnic minorities in the world, and that is because it has a proactive policy. The situation is also dangerous because it restricts this country's ability to recruit and retain military...

Topical Debate: Defence Policy (30 Oct 2008) has video

John Smith: In short, that is not the problem we face, because this situation does not occur in other countries. The largest ethnic group who could be recruited are the Afro-Caribbeans, and they do not have the same sort of pressures within their community. In the US, the other ethnic minority groups that we are talking about have the highest recruitment levels, so, clearly, this process is done...