Shailesh Vara: I start by thanking everyone who has participated in today's debate. I am mindful of the time constraints, as we are due to hear a very important statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer at 5 o'clock. We heard a passionate contribution from the hon. Member for Telford (David Wright) to start off with. He spoke of the need for vibrant shopping centres, particularly in his constituency,...
Shailesh Vara: As I say, I hope that I have not damaged my hon. Friend's prospects. My hon. Friend made a diligent and conscientious speech, as he always does when trying to serve his constituents to the best of his ability. He demonstrated the great depth of his knowledge of education matters when he spoke about the Learning and Skills Council. I am sure that the House was concerned to learn of the...
Shailesh Vara: I believe that my hon. Friend has tried that, and has not received a reply. I wish him well in his attempts to make progress on the important issue that he raised. He also raised the crucial issue—especially crucial in the present economic climate—of irresponsible lending. I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House took account of his comments, particularly those concerning his...
Shailesh Vara: The right hon. Gentleman may say that, but I am minded to say that after a drink or two he might confide in honesty, and say that he was also concerned that one of his own troops was having a go at the Government. The hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) raised the very topical issue of climate change and the environment. That is clearly a major topic for all of us. I must also give...
Shailesh Vara: My hon. Friend the shadow Chancellor asked a specific question to which he did not receive an answer. He asked how much of the finance that is proposed is new money and how much is money that is recycled and has already been announced. Will the Chancellor kindly address that question and give a precise breakdown?
Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how much the Child Support Agency spent on paternity tests in each of the last five years; (2) how many requests for DNA paternity tests were lodged with the Child Support Agency by non-resident fathers in each of the last five years; and how many such requests were granted; (3) on what grounds the Child Maintenance and Enforcement...
Shailesh Vara: In her very first business questions on 5 July 2007, at Hansard column 1091, the Leader of the House said that she was very keen to ensure that Back Benchers' rights were protected and that there was proper scrutiny of legislation. However, as we have just heard, that simply is not happening, so even now, will the Deputy Leader of the House give an assurance that his right hon. and learned...
Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2009, Official Report, column 982W, on bail accommodation and support services, (1) how many of the 836 service users who had their residency terminated went to court; what the outcome of the hearing was in each case where legal proceedings have been concluded; and if he will make a statement; (2) how many...
Shailesh Vara: I appreciate that the Secretary of State has given thought to prioritising to whom to give vaccines should the need arise, but, following on from the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Hollobone), does the Secretary of State feel that there is an argument that some priority ought to be given to certain groups of people—for example, to those on the front line of...
Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps his Department has taken to improve standards of children's social care.
Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints have been received by his Department and its agencies from residents close to ClearSprings properties since their introduction, broken down by the smallest administrative geographical unit for which records are kept.
Shailesh Vara: What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on treatment in hospitals in England of patients resident in Wales and in hospitals in Wales of patients resident in England.
Shailesh Vara: I am grateful to the Minister for those comments. He will be aware of the recent Welsh Affairs Committee report on cross-border health policy, to which he referred in his preliminary comments. He will also be aware that there should be clinical excellence for all those who wish to have medical treatment, as close as possible to their homes. Does he acknowledge that that would mean Welsh...
Shailesh Vara: I thank all the speakers who have taken part in today's debate. We are all agreed that this debate is about a crucial issue that has gone on for far too long. We are agreed that it needs sorting out so that we can have a system that is transparent and open. We must have a new system that has the confidence not only of hon. Members but of the public. It is important that we decide on what is...
Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to address the issues of maladministration raised in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report, Putting Things Right: complaints and learning from DWP of 30 March 2009; and if he will make a statement.
Shailesh Vara: What proportion of the population in (a) the UK and (b) North-West Cambridgeshire constituency is claiming jobseeker's allowance.
Shailesh Vara: I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. However, he will be aware that 288,000 new unemployed claimants appeared on the register in the first quarter of 2009—a rapid rise, and the fastest of any quarter. Is that what the Minister meant when he talked of light being at the end of the tunnel?
Shailesh Vara: I hope you will not.
Shailesh Vara: That is what he tells you.
Shailesh Vara: I thank all hon. Members who have participated in the debate. There were perhaps not quite as many speakers as usual, but the quality was nevertheless there and a wide variety of subjects were covered—mostly local issues, but we have also strayed occasionally into the international sphere. My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), who has a reputation for being a diligent and...