George Howarth: I will be brief, because a lot of ground has been covered in this debate. First, I thank Denise Fergus for initiating the petition, for the briefing she gave and for the inspiration that she has given many of us. Well done. Secondly, I thank my hon. Friends the Members for Birmingham, Yardley (Jess Phillips), for Liverpool, Wavertree (Paula Barker) and for Bootle (Peter Dowd) for contributing...
George Howarth: Will the Minister give way?
George Howarth: The point my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Jess Phillips) was making is that, had that information been available at the time and during the trial, subsequent decisions that had to be made would have taken on a whole new light. She accepts and I accept—I think we all accept—that the judiciary is independent and that prosecutors should be able to decide what evidence...
George Howarth: I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 206851 relating to a public inquiry into the James Bulger murder case. I am pleased to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Henderson. I thank the Petitions Committee for granting this opportunity to debate the petition, which refers to the concerns that people, particularly James Bulger’s family, have about what has taken place since...
George Howarth: Order. The hon. Gentleman cannot intervene on an intervention. Bill Esterson is speaking.
George Howarth: I conclude by thanking the Clerks, Hansard and everybody concerned. I thank members of the Committee, who, in my brief time in the Chair, have been good-humoured and orderly.
George Howarth: I am very grateful that the Minister did not table 1,000 amendments!
George Howarth: With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments 3 to 5.
George Howarth: With this it will be convenient to consider new clause 3—Establishment of an Advisory Council— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, establish a council to advise on the implementation of this Act, with a focus on learning lessons from any accidents involving automated vehicles. (2) The Advisory Council must include representatives from— (a)...
George Howarth: With this it will be convenient to consider the following: Clauses 86 and 87 stand part.
George Howarth: Before I bring in the mover of the amendment, does the Minister wish to respond?
George Howarth: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Clause stand part. Clauses 83 and 84 stand part. Schedule 6.
George Howarth: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 15, in clause 61, page 44, line 2, leave out from the third “of” to the end of line 4 and insert “— (a) identifying, improving understanding of, and reducing the risks of harm arising from the use of authorised automated vehicles on roads in Great Britain; and (b) assessing the accessibility of automated vehicles...
George Howarth: Before I call Gavin Newlands, who was in the middle of moving amendment 9 when the Committee adjourned this morning, I remind the Committee that with this we are discussing the following: Amendment 7, in clause 50, page 33, line 22, at end insert— “(4) The Secretary of State must obtain and lay before Parliament the written consent of the Scottish Government to make regulations under this...
George Howarth: People who are considering changing their boiler struggle to find accurate information about the benefits and the costs. Will the Minister consider issuing new guidance that makes clear both the costs and the benefits of switching to a heat pump?
George Howarth: Very briefly—Christina Rees.
George Howarth: That is not a point of order, but the hon. Gentleman has managed to get it off his chest.
George Howarth: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the recent arrests of Afghan women and girls for alleged violations of the Islamic dress code.
George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment for young people with cancer.