Paul Beresford: I congratulate the hon. Member for Leicester East (Claudia Webbe) on her maiden speech. She has broken the ice and is on the way. It was a powerful speech with some key markers, so it is going to be interesting to watch her, although I do not quite agree with everything. I also congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bracknell (James Sunderland) on his maiden speech. Some time back, he...
Paul Beresford: I congratulate the hon. Member for City of Durham (Mary Kelly Foy) on her maiden speech. It was interesting; funnily enough I did not agree with a considerable amount of it, although that is to be expected. I am the second working medical professional to speak, following my hon. Friend the Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter). We are both from the same party and speak...
Paul Beresford: I welcome the move that is being promoted today. As an ethnic minority immigrant who came here to work in the national health service, that is to be expected. After I arrived here, the system changed. There are now opportunities for all Commonwealth English-speaking—well, sort of English-speaking—people from the top universities in the old Commonwealth. Should we not be campaigning to...
Paul Beresford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 16 January 2020. The correct answer should have been: The costs associated with striking Big Ben on Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve in 2019 were £14.2k including VAT in total. on each occasion. The striking of Big Ben on these occasions was coordinated around the planned works so as to minimise the impact on the...
Paul Beresford: The costs associated with striking Big Ben on Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve in 2019 were £14.2k including VAT in total. on each occasion. The striking of Big Ben on these occasions was coordinated around the planned works so as to minimise the impact on the project costs and to ensure it did not result in any delay. If the project team are required to strike the bell with less...
Paul Beresford: Will the hon. Lady give way?
Paul Beresford: It is a delight to have your eagle eye on us, Sir George, and I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) on securing the debate. I will heed your advice to be short and will focus on one tiny point—as I look around the Chamber, there is a sigh of relief that I will be sitting down soon. Mole Valley is an interesting and beautiful area covered with green belt,...
Paul Beresford: The subject of this debate is section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, but I am discussing only a tiny aspect of it. As a Minister from the Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Hampshire (Kit Malthouse), is responding, I am dodging all leaflets, letters and things that I have received from Mind and all the rest of it, and just narrowly looking at one little thing. This...
Paul Beresford: I suspected that I might get that question. That is why, as I very carefully explained, I asked for a Home Office Minister, not a Department of Health Minister. I suspect it would be better if the hon. Gentleman asked a written question, rather than asking my poor hon. Friend on the Front Bench something that he cannot possibly answer because he is not expecting it. I found the reality of...
Paul Beresford: I thought, Madam Deputy Speaker, that immediately I stood up you would announce that the time limit was down to three minutes. The number of medically trained professionals who have come into the House has apparently risen dramatically. I am one of them, but I have been here a wee while. I warn the new ones that their profession will lean on them to put the case until they are driven to it,...
Paul Beresford: The Speaker has indicated that this is a matter for Members of the House of Commons. The House of Commons Commission will respond to any decision of the House on this matter. In the absence of any such decision, the Commission's position on the sounding of Big Ben remains unchanged. For the Bell to ring on 31 January, the temporary striking mechanism used for Remembrance Sunday and New Year's...
Paul Beresford: Under a resolution of the House, Representative Money is provided to opposition parties represented by Members who have chosen not to take the Oath. Budget allocations for Representative Money since 2005-06 are published in Appendix 4 of the following document: https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Sum mary/SN01663 Since 2016-17 it has been a requirement to publish the...
Paul Beresford: The House of Commons Commission has not received a request from the Government to arrange for Big Ben to chime to mark the UK’s departure from the EU. The Commission is aware of EDM No. 2, tabled by the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford, which calls on Mr Speaker and the House Authorities to make arrangements for Big Ben to chime at 11.00 pm on 31 January 2020. The Commission is...
Paul Beresford: I am interested in what the hon. Lady is saying, because I have also had people contact me. One lady said that supermarkets are an ideal place to go because she can get matching clothes. I was surprised to find that Tesco used to embroider badges on at parents’ request. It does not do it now, but the supplier will do it. Parents pay £4 for a pair of trousers, instead of something...
Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the UKVI investigations into asylum fraud since 2009 have resulted in criminal prosecutions.
Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the UKVI-led prosecutions for immigration fraud since 2009 have resulted in convictions.
Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people the National Allegations Team of UK Visas and Immigration has employed in each year since 2009.
Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints her Department has received on immigration fraud in each year since 2009.
Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints on immigration fraud UK Visas and Immigration has investigated since 2009.
Paul Beresford: Perhaps the hon. Member for Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) will take an interest in the new immigration Bill. It will come as a big surprise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, to learn that I am an ethnic minority immigrant. I cheer for England in Japan, but I put my money on the All Blacks! I came here as a newly graduated health professional just before the UK entered the common market. I...