Prime Minister's Questions: 8 January 2020

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition

The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, began by paying tribute to former MP Andrew Miller, as well as expressing his sympathy for those affected by the fires in Australia and the families of those killed in the plane crash in Tehran last night.

Mr Corbyn asked the Prime Minister:

• for assurance that he "opposes any further retaliation or escalation of violence" in Iran
• whether the Prime Minister is "confident that United Kingdom troops and civilians are not at further risk in the region and beyond"
• on the Government's support for the US assignation of General Soleimani and whether this was illegal under international law.
• if he could guarantee that Iranian representatives who wanted to reach a peaceful resolution to the crisis could safely attend the UN Security Council
• that the Government will "respect the sovereignty of Iraq as a nation" if the Iraqi Parliament votes in favour of expelling UK troops, as it has done to the US.

The Leader of the Opposition concluded: "Isn't the truth, Mr Speaker, that this Prime Minister is unable to stand up to President Trump because he's hitched his wagon to a trade deal with the United States, and that prioritises everything else that he ought to be considering."

Questions from the Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader

The Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, also began by sympathising with those affected by events in Australia and Tehran.

Mr Blackford asked the Prime Minister who should be able to determine the "future of Scotland". He highlighted that Scottish people overwhelming voted to remain in the EU during the referendum, and stated that "The Scottish National Party won the election on the premise of Scotland's right to choose its own future […] Why is this Conservative Government dismissing the will of the people of Scotland, ignoring their voices, and disregarding our Parliament?"

• Watch Parliament TV: Prime Minister's Questions: 8 January 2020

Full list of topics and questioners 

• Conservative MP, Andrew Lewer (Northampton South), asked when the DWP would complete its review into the 6 months rule for those with terminal illnesses.
• Conservative MP, Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North), asked on appropriate in-patient care for those with learning disabilities.
• Conservative MP, Fiona Bruce (Congleton), asked for an outline on the manifesto commitment for ‘family hubs'.
• Labour MP, Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield), asked if the Prime Minister would commit to stripping Northern Rail of their franchise and devolving the power and money to the region.
• Conservative MP, Paul Holmes (Eastleigh), asked about the Eastleigh council's housing plans.
• Plaid Cmyru MP, Hywel Williams (Arfon), asked for the Prime Minister's vision of the constitutional relationship between Wales and England in the event of Irish and Scottish independence.
• Conservative MP, Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North), asked about Wheelebrator's plans to build an incinerator in the Tess Valley.
• Labour MP, Ian Murray (Edinburgh South), asked the Prime Minister if he would accept responsibility for loss of jobs and industry after Brexit.
• Conservative MP, Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole), asked about a focus on literacy and numeracy skills for disadvantaged children.
• SNP MP Brendan O'Hara, (Argyll and Bute), asked what mechanism the Scottish people have to consent or withdraw from the Union with England.
• Conservative MP, David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale), asked about the Morecambe-based Eden Project.
• SNP MP, Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts), asked about long-awaited plans for Roadchef workers to receive compensation for shares they were promised.
• Conservative MP, Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire), asked about the possibility of new jobs in Northern Ireland if the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored. 
• SNP MP, Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East), asked the Prime Minister if he would consider the establishment of overdose prevention centres on a pilot basis.
• Conservative MP, Dehenna Davison (Bishop Auckland), asked about a consultation on the closure of a stroke ward in her constituency.
• Labour MP, Colleen Fletcher (Coventry North East), asked the Prime Minister to meet a delegation from Coventry to discuss the prospect of opening a second walk-in centre in the city to alleviate waiting times.
• Conservative MP, Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford), asked about educational achievement for working class boys.
• Labour MP Matt Western, (Warwick and Leamington), asked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to restore the Iran nuclear deal since he took office.
• Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin, (West Worcestershire), asked about West Midlands Rail to have an inspection for the Secretary for Transport and potentially have its franchise removed.
• SNP MP, Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife), asked on the mandate for a second referendum on Scottish independence.
• Conservative MP, Steve Double MP (St Austell and Newquay), asked for confirmation that Cornwall be at the heart of any plans for investment.
• Labour MP, Karl Turner MP (Kingston upon Hull East), asked the Prime Minister if he would congratulate the bravery of his constituent, Steven Gallant, who helped to restrain the perpetrator of the recent London Bridge attack.

Image: UK Parliament

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