Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that there is one issue that flows from what the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman said about what might happen in the next Parliament? There is the ability to distort electoral performance. Clearly, a higher profile Member of Parliament will gain more votes for a party in...

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that there is one issue that flows from what the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman said about what might happen in the next Parliament? There is the ability to distort electoral performance. Clearly, a higher profile Member of Parliament will gain more votes for a party in...

I want to touch on the two points referred to by the Minister. Setting up a body to determine Assembly Members' pay and expenses would not have required the Sewel convention, because the Assembly has been crying out for permission to have a body carry out that work. It will...

I want to touch on the two points referred to by the Minister. Setting up a body to determine Assembly Members' pay and expenses would not have required the Sewel convention, because the Assembly has been crying out for permission to have a body carry out that work. It will...

Yes. A number of my colleagues made it clear to me that they did not intend to stand for the Assembly again. There are others whose constituency associations have persuaded them to stand for election to Westminster, and who will stand down from the Assembly. They would choose otherwise, but...

Yes. A number of my colleagues made it clear to me that they did not intend to stand for the Assembly again. There are others whose constituency associations have persuaded them to stand for election to Westminster, and who will stand down from the Assembly. They would choose otherwise, but...

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent assessment is of the contribution of Sure Start children's centres to the objectives of his Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent assessment is of the contribution of Sure Start children's centres to the objectives of his Department.

It is an honour today, as it always has been, to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Nicholas. We have always appreciated the extensive interest that you have taken in the affairs of Northern Ireland, and you will be greatly missed by this House, not least for the authority and command...

It is an honour today, as it always has been, to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Nicholas. We have always appreciated the extensive interest that you have taken in the affairs of Northern Ireland, and you will be greatly missed by this House, not least for the authority and command...

To me, it is not a solution if it does not resolve that issue as well. Those of us in the ministerial working group are of the view that the lenders could probably have their funds returned to them through a fire sale, but those with less than £20,000 saved...

To me, it is not a solution if it does not resolve that issue as well. Those of us in the ministerial working group are of the view that the lenders could probably have their funds returned to them through a fire sale, but those with less than £20,000 saved...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is his policy to support (a) the provision of direct payments to farmers under Pillar One of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and (b) a CAP budget of at least equivalent monetary value following reforms of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is his policy to support (a) the provision of direct payments to farmers under Pillar One of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and (b) a CAP budget of at least equivalent monetary value following reforms of...

Is it not the case that the work of the working group that was set up to deal with parades has not been completed, because the draftsmen are raising a series of detailed and technical issues that need to be determined before the final document is available for consultation? It...

Is it not the case that the work of the working group that was set up to deal with parades has not been completed, because the draftsmen are raising a series of detailed and technical issues that need to be determined before the final document is available for consultation? It...

Let me first pay tribute to my two colleagues who are leaving the House at the end of this Parliament. The Chairman of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack), has always been a friend of Northern Ireland. He has always assisted Northern Ireland, not...

Let me first pay tribute to my two colleagues who are leaving the House at the end of this Parliament. The Chairman of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack), has always been a friend of Northern Ireland. He has always assisted Northern Ireland, not...

I am very grateful to the hon. Lady for those comments. I believe that she has accurately reflected the position of the Unionist community. I know that she very much regrets that the Ulster Unionist party, through its leadership, has placed itself along with the dissident republicans and Unionists. I...

I am very grateful to the hon. Lady for those comments. I believe that she has accurately reflected the position of the Unionist community. I know that she very much regrets that the Ulster Unionist party, through its leadership, has placed itself along with the dissident republicans and Unionists. I...

Every journey is taken a step at a time. It is a fact that no agreement could be reached on a final and completed version of these arrangements. We have therefore taken the first step, and we have done so with confidence and faith that we will be able to...

Every journey is taken a step at a time. It is a fact that no agreement could be reached on a final and completed version of these arrangements. We have therefore taken the first step, and we have done so with confidence and faith that we will be able to...

I agree entirely. We have set our direction of travel, and I believe that it is the right one.

I agree entirely. We have set our direction of travel, and I believe that it is the right one.

The hon. Gentleman indicates that the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly during the period of the Good Friday agreement was not legislated for, but it did collapse—it collapsed four times, even though that was not legislated for. That is hardly a good example to draw to our attention, as...

The hon. Gentleman indicates that the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly during the period of the Good Friday agreement was not legislated for, but it did collapse—it collapsed four times, even though that was not legislated for. That is hardly a good example to draw to our attention, as...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the UK's (a) food security and (b) environment of (i) decoupling and (ii) reduction in livestock numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the UK's (a) food security and (b) environment of (i) decoupling and (ii) reduction in livestock numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the meeting of the EU Fisheries Council, December 2009, when he expects to convene a meeting to consider the Common Fisheries Policy on Area 7 nephrops total allowable catch quota.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the meeting of the EU Fisheries Council, December 2009, when he expects to convene a meeting to consider the Common Fisheries Policy on Area 7 nephrops total allowable catch quota.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress in the implementation in the UK of measures for the electronic tagging of sheep.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress in the implementation in the UK of measures for the electronic tagging of sheep.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the UK's consumption of (a) liquid milk and dairy products and (b) beef and beef products was met by imports in the latest period for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the UK's consumption of (a) liquid milk and dairy products and (b) beef and beef products was met by imports in the latest period for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage new entrants into agricultural careers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage new entrants into agricultural careers.