Results 1-20 of 316 for speaker:Richard Harrington

Written Answers — Health: Health Services: Watford (12 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department allocated to the Watford Health Campus between May 1997 and May 2010.

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: No, thank you.

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: It is a pleasure to introduce this debate under your chairmanship, Sir Alan. I chose to call a debate on retail for two purposes. From a parochial point of view, retail is a significant employer in Watford and a significant contributor to the economy. Also, the press that retail receives nationally, with glamorous Sky reporters standing in front of shops such as Blockbuster and HMV that are...

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: My hon. Friend makes a good point, and I would expect nothing less. Independents are very much part of the story, and they are necessary, but large companies developing real estate and operating shops create massive employment, massive taxation and a massive contribution to urban regeneration, although that takes nothing from the validity of my hon. Friend’s point. Things have changed....

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: Yes, I have reflected on that fundamental point. Many hon. Members want to contribute, so I cannot address all aspects of retail. Suffice it to say that although in the past shops appeared, on the surface, to give people much greater choice, if we add the internet and other channels, people have great choice now. I do not completely agree with the hon. Gentleman, but his point is valid. Many...

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: I more than welcome the inquiry. It shows that retailing is being treated seriously as an industry in its own right, rather than as just a mechanical part of the distribution chain. It contributes as much as manufacturing and other sectors. I warmly endorse what my hon. Friend says. The ultimate answer to the question of choice in retail is whether the public are given a better service today....

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: I very much endorse what my hon. Friend says. As I said, it is easy to think of retail as “Open All Hours” with Ronnie Barker or Young Mr Grace appearing and saying “You’ve all done very well”, but shops invest a lot of money in training staff, and they know that a lot of their capital assets lie in the skills of those staff. Retail used to be minimum-wage drudge...

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: I do not think that point is relevant in this particular case. As far as retailing is concerned, a payday loan company, provided that it is legal and proper in all that it carries out—I accept that there is a different issue—employs people in much the same way as a shop with the same number of staff. That is not to take away from the hon. Lady’s point, but from a retail...

British Retail — [Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] (6 March 2013)

Richard Harrington: I wholly endorse what my hon. Friend said. I finish with two suggestions that might be unpopular with the large commercial sector, the shopping centre providers and commercial landlords. I mentioned many good points about companies such as Westfield and the strong regeneration sector; retail happens to be their product, but they are really redeveloping important parts of our landscape....

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (13 February 2013)

Richard Harrington: I know that the Prime Minister is aware of the Watford community exchange, which will take place on Friday. It will involve a meeting between 50 businesses and 50 charities and community organisations. I hope that the Prime Minister will congratulate Chris Luff of Freedom Communications, which has already offered 150 hours of its time to help local charities, including Westfield community...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: High Speed Rail (28 January 2013)

Richard Harrington: I commend the Secretary of State and the Government on this courageous and very significant announcement on HS2. It is particularly of interest to the cities with new stations, but what does he think the effect will be on my constituents in a place that will not be directly affected but is suffering from very poor capacity and a very poor service from London Midland?

Oral Answers to Questions — Education: University Technical Colleges (21 January 2013)

Richard Harrington: How many students are enrolled in university technical colleges; and how many he expects to be enrolled by September 2013.

Oral Answers to Questions — Education: University Technical Colleges (21 January 2013)

Richard Harrington: I congratulate the Government on the progress in the expansion and implementation of UTCs, and particularly the work of Lord Hill, the former Minister. I am sure that we all wish him the best in his new position. I must confess that I hope that there will be a UTC in Watford before very long. Does the Minister agree that the time must come very soon when all students of the appropriate age...

Oral Answers to Questions — Education: Topical Questions (21 January 2013)

Richard Harrington: I am sure that Ministers will be aware that Holocaust memorial day will take place this week and that the work of the Holocaust Education Trust has been commended by this and previous Governments. Are they also aware that the Lord Merlyn-Rees memorial lecture will take place this evening here in Parliament—in the Attlee suite—at which the former Foreign Secretary, the right hon....

Written Answers — Transport: Railways: Standards (17 January 2013)

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the level of rail punctuality; and if he will make a statement.

Written Answers — Communities and Local Government: Fire Services (20 November 2012)

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how his Department assesses the effect of reductions in funding on fire and rescue services.

Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill (9 November 2012)

Richard Harrington: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. I shall be brief as the Bill has been discussed very thoroughly at previous stages. I want to remind Members about the need for it, however. An Audit Commission report published only this week found that 98,000 social tenancies are deemed to be improper and illegal sub-lettings. Those properties could house people who are properly on...

Written Answers — Health: Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse (29 October 2012)

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions.