Former Independent MP for Tamworth ( 6 May 2010 – 7 Sep 2023)
Mr Christopher Chataway: ...in the newspapers on the following day. In the case of Mr. Wrangham, the Chairman of Shorts was first told that he would be dismissed not by the right hon. Gentleman but, I believe, by Mr. Chapman Pincher of the Daily Express. Against that background I turn to the sequence of events in this case. Lord Hall came to see me last Monday afternoon and I told him then that in my opinion he had...
Mr Leslie Huckfield: ...from this House was simply because the Railway Gazette and the Sunday Times had stumbled on the truth. I hope the hon. Gentleman will take note of the fact that it was in May 1970 that Chapman Pincher in the Daily Express was saying almost the same thing as the Sunday Times said on 8th October last—and indeed the Chairman of the British Railways Board was saying more or less the same...
John Bercow: ..., Ealing, Southall Alan Campbell, Tynemouth Angela Eagle, Wallasey Joseph Edward Benton, Bootle Ian Colin Lucas, Wrexham Alasdair McDonnell, Belfast South William Thomas Bain, Glasgow North East Christopher Michael Leslie, Nottingham East Paul Phillip Flynn, Newport West Austin Vernon Mitchell, Great Grimsby Christopher Paul Farrelly, Newcastle-under-Lyme Roger Hugh Williams, Brecon and...
Christopher Pincher: First, let me pay tribute to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) for his wry and measured contribution. I remember reading many years ago that an august former Member of this House once said that one's maiden speech was the easiest speech that one would ever have to make in the House of Commons. Standing here now, I suspect that I speak for a few people who were in the...
Christopher Pincher: I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. We are both Members of Parliament in the west midlands, and he waxes eloquent about public investment being the only panacea for the problems that we have in the west midlands. There is an organisation that he will know about called Advantage West Midlands. I am sure the shadow Secretary of State also knows about it, because he appointed the board when he...
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people are employed by Advantage West Midlands; how many people compose the non-executive Board of Advantage West Midlands; and what the total cost to the public purse of payments to (a) employees and (b) Board members is to date. [Official Report, 29 June 2010, Vol. 512, c. 3MC.]
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of operating the Standards Board for England and Wales since 2005.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships, work pairings and training placements in (a) the UK, (b) Staffordshire and (c) Tamworth constituency.
Christopher Pincher: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to limit the maximum permissible height for wind turbines located near residential areas.
Christopher Pincher: Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the Daily Mirror on highlighting the terrible 172% increase in unemployment in Tamworth during the recession? Further, will he encourage that august journal to place the responsibility for that grizzly legacy squarely where it lies?
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the Building Schools for the Future programme in Tamworth; and if he will make a statement.
Christopher Pincher: The right hon. Lady speaks about fuel poverty, which is terrible for many people. But despite what the Labour Government did in terms of CERTs, CESPs and Warm Front, all of which are laudable, can she explain why fuel poverty increased?
Christopher Pincher: What steps he is taking to increase the security of the UK's energy supply.
Christopher Pincher: I am grateful for the Secretary of State's statement and for his telling me that both Wilnecote and Belgrave high schools in Tamworth are applying for academy status. Does he agree that we should meet to discuss the former Labour county council's decision arbitrarily to abolish sixth forms and give them over to one single sixth form? Can we discuss how to unpick that situation?
Christopher Pincher: My hon. Friend mentioned British pedlars, but I would like him to consider the question of European pedlars. Tamworth has a vibrant farmers market; people from Spain, Germany and France go there to sell their wares. The Bill is "for the better control of street trading in the city of Nottingham." That reminds me of the quotation from T.S. Eliot: "Between the idea And the reality... Falls the...
Christopher Pincher: Does my right hon. Friend agree that although the development of high-speed rail services is vital for our national economy, depending on which route is chosen, there will be a significant impact on many local communities, including Hints, Weeford and Drayton Bassett in my constituency? Does he agree that we should discuss in the House the best mechanism, depending on the method and route...
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools in Tamworth constituency are applying for academy status.
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether each school in Tamworth constituency which has applied for academy status will be able to retain a sixth form if successful.
Christopher Pincher: If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.