Caroline Nokes MP: speeches

Speeches

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  Order. Before I call the Minister, I must inform the House there will have to be an immediate five-minute time limit on Back-Bench contributions, which obviously excludes those from the Front Benches.

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  I advise the House that Mr Speaker has not selected the amendment in the name of the Liberal Democrats.

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  Order. As the shadow Minister will know, the Minister is not obliged to take interventions from the Dispatch Box.

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  Order. I am sure the hon. Gentleman is getting to his point, but interventions really should be shorter. He could have put in to speak in the debate, had he wished. He has a few more moments—that is all.

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 26 Feb 2025 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source

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  Order. Mr Francois, you know that you must not refer to Members by their name.

• 25 Feb 2025 · Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I had not been planning to introduce a formal time limit, but Members might reflect on how many are still standing and perhaps restrain themselves to five minutes or so.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Ukraine · Hansard source

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  Order. Can I remind Members that if we are to get everybody in, shorter questions—and shortish answers, please—would be helpful?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Crown Estate Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 2— Marine Spatial Planning: coordination — “In relation to any decisions made about marine spatial priorities, the Crown Estate must— (a) ensure that the decisions are coordinated with the priorities of the Marine Maritime Organisation, and (b) consult any communities or industries impacted by the plans, including fishing communities.” Marine plans guide marine use and regulation for sustainable development, balancing the environment, economy, and society. This new clause ensures the Crown Estate collaborates with DEFRA's Marine Spatial Prioritisation through the MMO, using its expertise to inform decisions, preventing conflicts of interest from its new borrowing and investment powers. New clause 3— Sustainable development: community benefits — “(1) Before making any investment decision, the Commissioners must assess— (a) plans for community benefits for local communities, and (b) plans for community benefits for coastal communities of offshore activities. (2) In section 3(1) of the Crown Estate Act 1961, at end insert— ‘(1A) The Commissioners must transfer at least 5 per cent of all net profit generated from the Crown Estate’s activities to local communities impacted by those activities.’” This new clause would require the Commissioners to ensure their activities benefit local communities, including coastal communities, and that 5% of any profits would be transferred to local communities. New clause 4— Devolution of Crown Estate powers to Wales — “(1) The Crown Estate Act 1961 is amended as follows. (2) After section 7 (powers of Minister of Works in Regent’s Park) insert— ‘7A Commissioners’ functions in Wales (1) The Treasury must set out a scheme to transfer all the existing Welsh functions of the Crown Estate Commissioners (“the Commissioners”) to the Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. (2) The existing Welsh functions under subsection (1) are the Commissioners’ functions relating to the part of the Crown Estate that, immediately before the transfer date, consists of— (a) property, rights or interests in land in Wales, and (b) rights in relation to the Welsh zone. (3) The Secretary of State must by regulations set a date to implement the scheme under subsection (1) to the transfer of functions to the Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.’” This new clause would require the Treasury to devolve Welsh functions of the Crown Estate Commissioners to Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. New clause 5— Limit on the disposal of assets — “After section 3 of the Crown Estate Act 1961, insert— ‘ 3A Limit on the disposal of assets (1) The Commissioners must inform the Treasury if the disposal of assets of the Crown Estate will be of a value totalling 10% or more of the Crown Estate’s total assets in a single year. (2) The Treasury must approve of any disposal of assets above the threshold in subsection (1) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer must lay a report before Parliament within 28 days of being notified by the Commissioners.’” This new clause requires the Crown Estate Commissioners to notify and seek HM Treasury approval for the disposal of assets totalling 10% or more of the Crown Estate’s total assets. New clause 6— Partnership agreement: the Crown Estate and Great British Energy — “The Chancellor of the Exchequer must lay before Parliament any partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy.” This new clause requires the Chancellor of the Exchequer to lay before Parliament any partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy. Amendment 1, clause 1, page 1, line 26, at end insert— “(3) The Treasury must by regulations limit borrowing to a net debt to asset value ratio of no more than 25 per cent. (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This amendment would limit the amount the Commissioners may borrow by regulations. Amendment 4, page 1, line 26, at end insert— “(3) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must limit borrowing by the Crown Estate under this section by regulations made by statutory instrument, and these regulations may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (4) The first set of regulations made under subsection (3) must limit borrowing to a net debt to asset value ratio of no more than 25 per cent.” This amendment would limit the amount the Commissioners may borrow by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure for statutory instruments. Amendment 2, clause 3, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) Any framework document published by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Crown Estate and the Commissioners must define ‘sustainable development’ for the purposes of this Act. (3C) The definition under subsection (3B) must include reference to a climate and nature duty. (3D) A ‘climate and nature duty’ means a duty to achieve any targets set out under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008 or under sections 1 to 3 of the Environment Act 2021.” This amendment would ensure that this act’s Framework Agreement must define “sustainable development”, and that the definition must include reference to a climate and nature duty. Amendment 3, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) In pursuit of the objective under subsection 3A, the Commissioners must assess the adequacy of protections against coastal erosion in areas affected by their offshore activities.” This amendment would require the Commissioners to assess the protections against coastal erosion in areas where landfall is made for offshore projects. Amendment 5, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) In keeping the impact of their activities under review, the Commissioners must have regard to― (a) the United Kingdom’s Net Zero targets; (b) regional economic growth; and (c) ensuring resilience in respect of energy security.” This new sub-section would require the Crown Estate Commissioners, in reviewing the impact of their activities on the achievement of sustainable development, to have specific regard to the United Kingdom’s Net Zero targets, regional economic growth, and resilience in respect of energy security.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Breakfast Clubs: Early Adopters · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Breakfast Clubs: Early Adopters · Hansard source

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  I call the Chair of the Education Committee.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Breakfast Clubs: Early Adopters · Hansard source

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  I thank the Secretary of State for her statement.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Breakfast Clubs: Early Adopters · Hansard source

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  I call the shadow Minister.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving notice of his point of order. I assume he has notified the hon. Member to whom he is referring.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  The document called “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons” deals with this matter. When a Member visits another Member’s constituency, except on a purely private visit, they should take reasonable steps in advance to tell the Member in whose constituency the visit is taking place. That guidance also states that failing to do so is regarded by colleagues as “very discourteous”. The hon. Gentleman has put his point on the record.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the right hon. Member for giving prior notice of his point of order. The right of petitioners to be heard before a Committee on a private Bill is not a matter for the Chair. None the less, he has put his point on the record, and hon. Members who wish to object to the Bill will have an opportunity to do so when it returns to the Floor of the House on Report.

• 13 Feb 2025 · LGBT+ History Month · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 13 Feb 2025 · LGBT+ History Month · Hansard source

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  I call Mims Davies.

• 12 Feb 2025 · Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 12 Feb 2025 · Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Order. I can now announce the result of today’s deferred Division on the Online Safety Act 2023 (Category 1, Category 2A and Category 2B Threshold Conditions) Regulations 2025. The Ayes were 320 and the Noes were 178, so the Ayes have it. [The Division list is published at the end of today’s debates.]

• 12 Feb 2025 · Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I call the Minister.

• 12 Feb 2025 · SEND Provision: Derbyshire · Hansard source

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  Order. You can all see that a number of Members wish to contribute this evening. I will just issue a point of clarity: the Adjournment motion will have to be moved again at 7 pm, so whoever is on their feet at that point should be aware that I will interrupt them. It would be a courtesy to fellow Members if you could all restrict your comments to five minutes or so.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Arbitration Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to consider clauses 2 to 18 stand part. May I remind Members that in Committee, Members should not address the Chair as Deputy Speaker? Please use our names when addressing the Chair. Madam Chair, Chair, Madam Chairman or Mr Chairman are also acceptable.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Terms and Conditions of Employment · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to discuss the following motion: That the draft Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (General) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Terms and Conditions of Employment · Hansard source

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  Order. Before I call the Liberal Democrat spokesman, I remind the House that it is courteous for Members who wish to speak to be present for all the opening speeches.