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Proceeding contribution from Meg Hillier (Labour) in the House of Commons on Friday, 14 July 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Bill.


Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Bill

I would not want to comment on how the hon. Gentleman brings up his children. I was puzzled by what the child said, so I asked him what he meant. He said that the discipline meant that he could get on and do his work, concentrate and not be messed around. He was not a top achiever but a child who wanted to learn and have a disciplined framework in school. Children stay late and come at weekends to work at that school, because they find it a quiet and calm environment. In that regard, the Government’s agenda of extended education also helps to generate respect. Children want a framework of stability, and the Bill will help to achieve that. I want to end on one incident from my experience as a teenager. I was sailing with my older brother, who had offered to take me out off the Isle of Wight. I was not an experienced sailor, but I thought that it would be exciting, which it was until we capsized in the middle of the Solent. I was cold, shivering and scared. I give credit to my older brother, who did everything that he needed to do and whom I trusted, but I was young and scared. Who came to our rescue? It was the coastguard. Had they not been there, I do not know whether I would be here today. There were there, however, and they were not impeded. Nobody tried to stop them getting to me, and they rescued me. For that, I am ever grateful. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, West on introducing this important Bill and adding a further protection to our emergency workers in the course of their duties in protecting the public of this country.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
448 c1617 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Staff Crimes of violence Ambulance services Emergency services Fire and rescue services Scotland Sentencing Rescue services St John Ambulance
Legislation
Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk