On Tuesday 23 April 2024 I presented a petition on behalf of my constituents as part of the campaign to ensure that compensation is paid to the victims of infected blood  immediately. I said:
This petition is from the residents of Walsall South. The petitioners note that people who received infected blood and who have suffered as a consequence have, along with their families, waited far too long for redress. Some of them have found it very difficult to access their medical records over a long time, and today’s urgent question does not leave them any clearer about when they will get compensation.  The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to implement the recommendations in the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry without delay.
There are signatories to the petition who have been directly affected by the failure to implement the recommendations. the full text is as follows: 
The Petition Declares that people who received infected blood and who have suffered as a consequence have, along with their families, waited far too long for redress.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to implement the recommendations in the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry without delay.

The Catholic Bishop's Conference of England and Wales held a briefing for Parliamentarians with Fr Gabriel Romanelli Catholic priest of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza on Tuesday 23 April 2024.  Fr Gabriel said he has been in the Holy Land since 1995. His church is the only catholic Church. He lives in Gaza and the border was closed and remains closed. He told us how the Holy Family passed through Gaza and the Holy Land that is why it is called the Holy Family Church. There have always been Christians there who are the descendants of the first disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Fr Gabriel said there is only electricity for 4 hours. Before 2003 there were 500 trucks. The majority of the population are civilians. They are not members of any organisation. He said an 85 year old music teacher was shot. They have lost 25% of the community. They cannot leave the area without Israeli permission. Food is expensive and there is no electricity. Fr Gabriel said he thinks the figure of the number dead is higher than 30,000. The question is how to get the injured out of Gaza for surgery. We agreed we would explore ways of keeping in touch and raising these issues and supporting the Catholic and Christian community in Gaza. Fr Gabriel had our full support and good wishes.    

The Football Governance Bill had its second reading on Tuesday 23 April 2024. This is a landmark bill which establishes a regulator which will ensure clubs are regulated with a light touch but with sanctions if necessary. There will be a fit and proper test for Directors and the regulator will be able to intervene on behalf of the fans for example if the name , colours are changed and the Stadium is moved. However, the Bill does not mandate or change the parachute payments which are paid to clubs as they go down from the Premier League to the Championship and back up. 

The Bill has cross-party support. I made 3 interventions in the debate. 

I asked the Secretary of State: 

"I am not going to mention my local football clubs—oh, all right, I will: Walsall football club and Darlaston Town 1874 FC, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The shape of the Bill at the minute is due to the Minister sitting next to the Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew), who has engaged with all Members. I pay tribute to him for including all of us. It is a pity that the Secretary of State is looking at the Bill in a party political way, because the Government have been in power for the last 14 years. Let us all pay tribute to the right hon. Member for Pudsey, who has done a fantastic job."

"Do the regulators have sufficient power to intervene if some of the owners are servicing debts in other areas of their company?"

I asked the Shadow Secretary of State: 

"My hon. Friend mentioned the fan-led review. Does she agree with me that the women’s game, which is out of scope of the Bill, is growing exponentially, and that there is scope for the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Dame Tracey Crouch), in a new role, to look at the women’s game and see whether we could have some regulation there?"

 

 

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill returned to the Commons for Consideration of Lords Messages.

1.  That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3G. Division No. 130. I voted No.

Ayes: 306 Noes: 229  and the Question was agreed to and the Lords Amendment 3G accordingly disagreed to.

As it was more than one hour after commencement of proceedings on the Lords Message, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on the Lords Message to a conclusion , the following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G). 

2.  That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 10F and the House divided. Division No. 131. I voted No

Ayes: 305   Noes: 234  Question agreed to and Lords Amendment 10F accordingly disagreed to.

3.  That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 3G and 10F;

That the Committee do withdraw immediately; the House divided for Division No. 132. 

Ayes: 309 Noes: 37 Question agreed to.

4.  The House proceeded to consider forthwith the Lords Message received today relating to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Bill and Lords Amendment 3J

Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3J. The House divided; Division No. 134. I voted No.

Ayes: 312 Noes: 237 Question agreed to and the Lords Amendment 3J accordingly disagreed to.

There were no further votes on the Bill.

 

 

On Monday 22 April I attended an event to highlight the work of Muslim Aid a well know charity that works to support people to help them with education for the children, food and water. the event was hosted by Afzhal Khan MP.  there was a video presentation of the work that is done by Muslim Aid.

I am joined by colleagues left to right,  Naz Shah MP, a representative from Muslim Aid,  Chi Onwurah MP, Afzhal Khan MP, Jeff Smith MP and to my left Lord Alf Dubs.