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Speeches by Sir Patrick Cormack in the House of Commons from June 29-30 2009

Topical questions 29th June 2009

Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): I congratulate the Secretary of State on her appointment. Will she agree to receive the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney), who I am delighted to see on the Front Bench, and me to discuss the plight of the 70 Equitable Life victims whom we met at a meeting in my constituency just two weeks ago?

Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman will know that as a result of the Treasury's response to the parliamentary ombudsman's report, Judge Chadwick is looking into the circumstances around the events at Equitable Life in order to be able to provide additional support for the people who have been affected by them. I am sure that the Treasury will keep the House informed.

Parliamentary Standards Bill 29th June 2009

Sir Patrick Cormack: The Secretary of State may remember that on 18 June, only 11 days ago, I asked the Leader of the House—the reasons for whose absence we obviously fully recognise and accept—to "confirm that, while the Parliamentary Standards Authority will deal with the financial matters about which she talked—we all accept that—it will not become an appointed quango with jurisdiction over Members of Parliament".

She replied:

"I think the answer to that is yes."—[ Official Report, 18 June 2009; Vol. 494, c. 424.]
She then went on to amplify her reply. However, the Bill before us shows that that is not the case.

Mr. Straw: If the hon. Gentleman can hold his breath for a little while until we get to clause 6, I will give him comfort on that point.

Parliamentary Standards Bill 30th June 2009

Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): I shall obey your injunctions, Mrs. Heal, and not make a long speech, or even a proper speech at all. What you said to the Committee a few minutes ago underlined the serious nature of the Government taking a Bill of constitutional significance through the House at the gallop and without time properly to consider and reflect.

The point that my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Alan Duncan) made was extremely good, and it is a pity that we do not have the opportunity to discuss a different name. I very much hope that the Government will reflect on what was said yesterday during a debate that pointed out the widespread concerns in all parts of the House about what they are doing and the speed with which they are doing it. I hope that this afternoon and tomorrow, in this indecent haste, the Government will respond with a degree of sensitivity to the points that colleagues and I will make to try to make a very, very bad Bill just a little bit better.