Results 1-20 of 1,012 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Anne Main

Debate on the Address: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Defence (23 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: I should like to start with some words that the Government would rather were not heard. I say that because they have been expunged from a statement by Sergeant Castle and a report on the death of my constituent's son, Captain James Philippson. These are Sergeant Castle's exact words: "This is-you are happy with my comments, are you?, because back Kandahar, before we deployed to Tombstone, I...

Debate on the Address: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Defence (23 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: I thank the Secretary of State for that intervention. Given his comments on the first Army board of inquiry, and the complete about-turn and the subsequent statement that Major Bristow is in no way responsible for the death of Captain James Philippson, I am sure that the Secretary of State will today take the opportunity to issue an apology to Major Bristow for any inadvertent slur-if it is...

Debate on the Address: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Defence (23 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: I am pleased that Major Bristow has been removed from desk duty, and is now in Baghdad, doing exactly what he wanted to do as a serving soldier. I shall conclude my remarks, as I am aware that other Members would like to speak, and I would very much like to hear what the Secretary of State has to say.

Business, Innovation and Skills: First Capital Connect (12 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: (Urgent Question): To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will make a statement on the deterioration in passenger services on the First Capital Connect route, including the route that passes through St. Albans into London. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to ask this urgent question, particularly on behalf of passengers in my constituency who have had an...

Business, Innovation and Skills: First Capital Connect (12 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: I thank the Minister for that answer; I noticed his reference to "robust" arrangements. Will he tell me whether First Capital Connect is in breach of its franchise by introducing today a new timetable with a 50 per cent. reduction in services? Was he aware that First Capital Connect was planning to introduce that new 50 per cent. timetable, which is causing absolute chaos? What engagement has...

Bill Presented: Clause 126 — General Duties (11 Nov 2009)

Anne Main: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I wonder whether you could assist me. I am sure that the House is fully aware of the absolute chaos on First Capital Connect train services, which are deteriorating enormously. It was a great shock when I was told this evening that, as of this evening, the timetable will reduce to a 50 per cent. permanent timetable, as there are not enough staff to man...

Bill Presented: Clause 45 — Meaning of "qualifying trigger" (9 Nov 2009) has video

Anne Main: Does not the Minister accept that the sexual bond between two people gives them a greater closeness and involvement than with any other people in their lives, which is why people would use this as a plea—because the betrayal is so much greater and the anger may be so much more than in any other situation?

Olympics: FOI Request (Immigration) (9 Nov 2009) has video

Anne Main: The information that was suppressed, and to which we are now privy, contained a warning that the policy was not without risk. Has the Minister made any evaluation of those persons who were let in, and of whether any of that risk has come to light?

Olympics: FOI Request (Immigration) (9 Nov 2009) has video

Anne Main: indicated assent.

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Nimrod Review (28 Oct 2009) has video

Anne Main: I welcome the Secretary of State's saying that he is going to learn from Army boards of inquiry, because, as he knows, a second Army board of inquiry is due on my late constituent, Captain James Philippson. I was pleased to hear that the Secretary of State is aware of the financial implications stretching more broadly across other items of defence equipment. Will he take that down to the...

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: In response to the Minister saying, "Who am I," I am delighted to say that the Minister is the Minister. I would love to think that if the Environment Agency is putting obstacles in the way of the Government and he wishes to deal with the matter differently, with his good offices, he could sit the agency down and say, "This is what we wish to achieve. Please don't put obstacles in our way."

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: I would be delighted if the Minister could seek clarity on the matter. However, whatever the source of the methanol, it is a small proportion of the product—about 10 per cent. Does he agree with Ofgem that having a small proportion of something derived from a fossil fuel in a product makes it entirely fossil fuel? That is the bonkers anomaly that most people do not think is reasonable.

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: I was asking the Minister what his opinion was about the fact that 90 per cent. of that particular biofuel is thoroughly renewable.

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: I appreciate the Minister's complimentary words. Cooking oil could also be used for district heat and power if we decide to go down the route of ensuring that facilities are built to use that technology. That could dovetail nicely into what the Minister wishes to achieve, using a source that is infinitely preferable to some of the biofuels that are currently utilised.

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: Does my hon. Friend agree that the public will fail to understand why the matter is being dealt with in the way it is? They are being asked to alter their lifestyles and to pay ever-higher taxes on things that are not sustainable and that pollute. They will therefore wonder why we are dealing with the sustainable fuel that we have in this way. It seems mad. As he said, this issue is a no-brainer.

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point about the distinction between the two types of biofuel. Does he believe that the public have enough information? Have they been buying into the headlines that we have seen screeching about some of the non-sustainable biofuels? Could the public be more educated about the differences between the two? It is an important difference that I am not sure is...

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: It is a delight to serve under your chairmanship this morning, Mr. Taylor. This is a niche debate and has been described by some people as chip fat and bonkers anomalies in regulations. I am hoping that we can move on somewhat from that, as the debate concerns a valuable fuel source that we should be considering as a contribution to reducing our carbon footprint and meeting some of our...

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: I thank my hon. Friend for that welcome intervention, because I was not going to major on the domestic aspect of cooking oil. If the technology were to take off, waste cooking oils and fats from households could easily be collected. After all, we are all being encouraged to recycle as many as possible of the putrescibles and other products of family living. My hon. Friend is right; pouring...

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: I thank the hon. Gentleman for pointing that out. I was not going to go too much into the collapse of the biofuel industry, but the point is a valuable one. Germany formerly had full tax exemption on liquid biofuels, and now, because the Government wanted to go back to getting the tax on it and increased it, the technology is starting to collapse. Unless there is a sustainable market, and...

[David Taylor in the Chair] — Biofuels (27 Oct 2009)

Anne Main: We are somewhat beset by fly-tipping in St. Albans, but thankfully, we do not have that problem. However, it is something that has been brought to my attention. Used oil is not only poured down the drains, but left in cans by the side of the road and dumped in inappropriate areas. That is a big problem. In these hard-pressed economic times, we are likely to see more fly-tipping and—I...