News

The 2nd report from the Science and Technology Committee is now available to read here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmsctech/469/46902.htm

I have been a member of the Mr Speaker’s Panel of Chairs since June 2015. On Monday 11 January 2015, I chaired the Second Delegated Legislation Committee on the Draft national Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2016.This proposed legislation comes into force on April 4 2016.

On Saturday 9 January 2016, I called a demonstration outside Pleck Library against the proposed closure of Pleck and South Walsall Libraries.

On Sunday 10 January 2016, I took part in a debate on the BBC Sunday Politics West Midlands. We discussed whether Birmingham Airport should be able to offer lower rates of Air Passenger Duty, when the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU should be held and whether Councils should be forced to spend the funds they keep in reserve.

On Wednesday 6 January 2016 there was an Opposition day debate on the recent flooding. The debate was moved by the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Kerry McCarthy. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rory Stewart, responded.