Results 1-20 of 650 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Robert Wilson

Business of the House (19 Nov 2009)

Robert Wilson: Can we have a debate in Government time on the higher education funding review? In particular, it is important for the current funding review to have democratic student representation and be scrutinised properly so that families do not see it simply as a justification for putting up student fees.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Topical Questions (12 Nov 2009)

Robert Wilson: Students in my constituency are concerned by both the scope and the format of the fees review that was announced this week. Can the Minister tell me what steps he is taking both to ensure that the student voice will be properly heard and to assure students and parents in my constituency that the review is not simply an exercise for putting up student fees?

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Skills for Growth (11 Nov 2009)

Robert Wilson: May I welcome the Minister's announcement of a reduction in the number of skills bodies, which the Opposition have been advocating for some time? Now that he finally accepts the need for a reduction, will he explain why his Government allowed so many to flourish in the first place?

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice: Young Reoffenders (10 Nov 2009)

Robert Wilson: What steps his Department is taking to reduce reoffending rates of young offenders.

Oral Answers to Questions — Justice: Young Reoffenders (10 Nov 2009)

Robert Wilson: Reading young offenders institution runs some fantastic programmes, which help to lower reoffending rates. However, I was extremely concerned to learn from a recent parliamentary answer from the Minister that offenders in Reading prison spend less than one hour a day on education and training. Does she agree that formal education and training should not be neglected as part of the overall package?

Energy and Climate Change: Topical Questions (5 Nov 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: In January, the UK was down to only a few days' gas storage, while Germany typically has 99 days and France has 120 days. Current Government plans extend this only by a few hours. Does the Minister agree that it is time to secure our gas storage facilities?

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Higher Education (3 Nov 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: The Government have correctly identified that the expansion of the higher education sector in recent years has partly been driven by foundation degrees, but the really successful model lies in the US with community colleges. Is the Minister aware that community college students are generally funded under a tripartite system, with a third of the costs coming from business, a third from the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Banking Reform (3 Nov 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: Does the Chancellor wish to pass on the Prime Minister's personal apology to taxpayers for arranging the shotgun wedding between Lloyds and HBOS?

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Children's Commissioner (19 Oct 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: The Secretary of State said that he had read the views of the Labour-dominated Select Committee on this matter. Has he also read the excellent Select Committee report on bullying? If so, can he tell the House what he has learned from it?

Opposition Day — [17th Allotted Day]: Higher Education (14 Oct 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: May I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Chloe Smith) on delivering such an excellent maiden speech? She can be very proud of herself, and I am certain her predecessor would have looked on and nodded in approval. I am sure she will be his equal in every respect in fighting for the interests of her constituents in this House. In the short time available to...

Opposition Day — [17th Allotted Day]: Higher Education (14 Oct 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: I do not think that I have time to do so, because others wish to speak. I wish to move on to discuss the financial challenges faced by universities. They are cutting their budgets at an alarming rate and many are in considerable financial difficulty. As I said at the previous departmental questions in July, seven universities were on the Higher Education Funding Council's warning list of "at...

Business, Innovation and Skills: London Metropolitan University (16 Jul 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: What recent discussions he has had with the Higher Education Funding Council for England on its funding for London Metropolitan university.

Business, Innovation and Skills: London Metropolitan University (16 Jul 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: I thank the Minister for his answer, but what happened at London Met is a national scandal. Is he aware that dozens of other higher education institutions are facing significant budget deficits next year? According to the funding council, seven higher education institutions are already described as at high risk of financial failure, including London Met and Thames Valley university in my...

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department: MG Rover (6 Jul 2009)

Robert Wilson: Were Ministers or officials at the Department made aware of any concerns about illegal activity taking place at MG Rover at any time over the past four years? Is it really only since receiving the final report that Ministers became aware of a serious fraud?

Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill: Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill (26 Jun 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: I congratulate the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on successfully introducing this private Member's Bill, which I understand originated with the hon. Member for Brent, North (Barry Gardiner) as a ten-minute Bill last year. We are all aware of the difficulties in introducing such legislation, and all successful attempts are to be commended. However, I note that, according to today's...

Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill: Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill (26 Jun 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: The Minister makes a telling point; it is important that legislation should be workable and enforceable.

Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill: Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill (26 Jun 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: That helps to answer the Minister's point. From the information that I have received, it seems that the Lacey Act is workable and enforceable. I shall say a bit more about that in a few moments. Instead of prohibition, the EU has introduced a proposed regulation under which operators have to exercise "due diligence to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber and timber products...

Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill: Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill (26 Jun 2009) has video

Robert Wilson: If the Minister will be patient, I shall come to that. I certainly agree that the system should do the job but not place unworkable burdens on the sector. Assessing whether a timber trader has exercised due diligence is inherently subjective and requires a burden of proof. According to Global Witness: "Unless being caught in possession of illegal timber is treated as de facto proof of a...