Nick Smith MP: speeches

Speeches

• 20 Nov 2025 · Russian Ship Yantar · Hansard source

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  Given both the Baltic sea incident in 2024, where underground cables were said to be sabotaged, and the latest provocation where the Yantar is said to be mapping undersea cables, will the Minister please outline how allied co-ordination, particularly with our Nordic and Baltic partners, could be strengthened?

• 20 Nov 2025 · Separation Centres: Terrorist Offenders · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for her response to the urgent question. The Frankland attack was awful. Given that body armour is crucial to the safety of prison staff, can she please tell us more about its procurement, so that prison staff are protected as best as possible, as soon as possible?

• 20 Nov 2025 · Ukraine: Forcible Removal of Children · Hansard source

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  The stealing of 20,000 children like this is an outrage. I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he agree that the Bring Kids Back campaign is right to emphasise that the return of these children is non-negotiable in any future peace deal?

• 19 Nov 2025 · Flooding: Monmouthshire · Hansard source

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  Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney neighbours Monmouthshire. Last winter, we experienced coal tip slipping because of heavy rain. People experiencing flooding deserve all our support. Can the Minister please tell us more about the support available to residents who are claiming insurance or emergency financial help in order to get through this really difficult time?

• 29 Oct 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  I associate myself with the Prime Minister’s remarks about supporting Jamaica. Across our country, and in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, off-road bikers are a menace. They tear up our environment, and turn our streets into racetracks. After years of Tory cuts, Gwent police are now tackling that. Does the Prime Minister agree that police forces, and communities such as mine, are seeing the difference that Labour can make in power?

• 29 Oct 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 October.

• 29 Oct 2025 · Asylum Seekers: MOD Housing · Hansard source

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  I am often asked on the doorsteps what we are doing to tackle this issue. Will the Minister please set out more information on what the Government are doing to stop small boat arrivals in the first place, so that we can close more hotels more quickly?

• 29 Oct 2025 · Gaza and Hamas · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for his answer to the urgent question. He has done a great job over time updating this Chamber—he has been terrific through this difficult period. Will he say more about the type of aid that he thinks our country needs to send into Gaza to support the people there?

• 16 Oct 2025 · British-made Ceramics · Hansard source

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  It pleases me when I see my hon. Friend turning his plate or mug upside down in the Tea Room, to double-check whether the crockery was made in Stoke. It is good when Westminster shows off the best of our UK ceramics manufacturing. Where possible and appropriate, and in accordance with procurement law, Parliament will endeavour to purchase British goods and support our domestic supply chains.

• 16 Oct 2025 · British-made Ceramics · Hansard source

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  The House Administration sources a wide range of crockery from firms in the UK, as well as those based elsewhere. Where possible, Parliament endeavours to purchase British goods to support domestic supply chains. All purchasing is in line with the relevant legislation for public bodies, which prioritises value for money. Some 85% of crockery purchased in the past two years has been from British manufacturers.

• 16 Oct 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Will the Leader of the House please grant a debate on tenants paying their landlord a reasonable rent? In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, Vodafone is in dispute with one of my community organisations, Aberbargoed rifle and pistol club, over the hosting of a telecoms mast. Vodafone’s rent helps to fund the club’s Christmas dinner, and visits to places of interest such as the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, and Bisley. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is important for large telecoms corporations to work wherever possible hand in hand with our local community organisations?

• 16 Oct 2025 · World Menopause Day · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend’s point about these issues affecting older women is, of course, fair and understood, but is it not also true that younger women can be affected and need support?

• 16 Oct 2025 · World Menopause Day · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for making such a fantastic contribution on this important topic. I am sure that she will recall the shared visit we had to Tesco in Abertillery, in my constituency, where staff talked about the extensive package of support that their employer gave them. Will she join me in commending employers such as Tesco for leading the way in terms of workplace support for their staff?

• 22 Jul 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Parkrun is a global public health phenomenon. Will the Minister meet me and the new Parkrun chief executive to talk about future collaboration?

• 7 Jul 2025 · Off-road Bikes · Hansard source

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  22. What steps her Department is taking to tackle the antisocial use of off-road bikes.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Off-road Bikes · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for that answer. Gwent police are taking on dangerous, illegal off-road bikes, but a related problem is electric bikes, which are sometimes chipped to go faster and have become a new danger. Will the Minister please look into this? The bikes can be switched up from being a means to get from A to B into being a real menace.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Pension Schemes Bill · Hansard source

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  Will the Minister update us on when consumers will see the introduction of the pensions dashboard? [ Laughter. ]

• 3 Jul 2025 · Apprentices · Hansard source

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  We currently have 32 apprentices, and another 19 will be recruited this year. There have been approximately 90 since 2017. Parliament recruits apprentices under the English apprenticeship scheme. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own programmes and funding structures.

• 3 Jul 2025 · Apprentices · Hansard source

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  Apprenticeships help us to build a more skilled and adaptable workforce. The House of Commons Commission is increasing the number of apprentices by participating in National Apprenticeship Week and attending careers fairs. Additionally, the administration supports the Speaker’s Apprenticeship Academy; we are currently recruiting a second cohort to that academy, and we are also recruiting 12 security officer apprentices. Adil Rashid is a Speaker’s apprentice in my Administration Committee team. He has a strong work ethic and is a good team player, and I am grateful for his support.

• 1 Jul 2025 · British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme · Hansard source

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  I thank the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for his answer. Last weekend I attended the anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster in 1960, in which 45 men and boys died. I met Mervyn Frampton, whose brother Keith was killed in that tragedy. Mervyn is 90 now, and we talked about when he and his butties powered our country and were members of the British Coal staff pension scheme. Will my right hon. Friend please be mindful of those who risked their lives for us, and who are still owed pension fair play?

• 1 Jul 2025 · British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme · Hansard source

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  10. What recent discussions her Department has had with the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

• 18 Jun 2025 · HS2 Reset · Hansard source

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  I thank the Secretary of State for her statement. HS2 has been an abject failure when it comes to the political accountability of the previous Administration. On transport efficiencies, will she press on with reforms to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, so that we can fix the driving test system and keep our country moving?

• 11 Jun 2025 · Spending Review 2025 · Hansard source

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  There was a terrible, dangerous coal slip in my constituency last autumn, and the coal tips safety funding announced today is hugely welcome. It is great to see our Labour Government standing up for Wales. Looking forward, however, may I ask the Chancellor please to review the miners’ staff superannuation scheme? Hard-working families deserve fairness in their retirement, and I am sure that she will give them a fair hearing.

• 2 Jun 2025 · Strategic Defence Review · Hansard source

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  The importance of good cyber-security is referenced throughout the SDR, and it is critical for our defence. Ebbw Vale college has an excellent course in that sector, so to address this threat, will the Secretary of State please advise how the Government plan to get more young people into roles in cyber-security for the future?

• 22 May 2025 · “For Women Scotland” Supreme Court Judgment · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for his question and can assure him that officials have reviewed the guidance and the policies of the House and consider that the Commission is complying with the law. But we will review the positions once the final EHRC guidance is produced.