My right hon. Friend mentioned the Ulster Farmers’ Union. Has he had time today to see the letter written by the presidents of all four farmers unions to every Member setting out quite clearly why no deal would be so damaging to the interests of rural communities?

My right hon. Friend mentioned the Ulster Farmers’ Union. Has he had time today to see the letter written by the presidents of all four farmers unions to every Member setting out quite clearly why no deal would be so damaging to the interests of rural communities?

I should start by reflecting that the speech by the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) was one of the finest analyses of what happened in the referendum. The right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) also absolutely hit the nail on the head about where we are today...

I should start by reflecting that the speech by the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) was one of the finest analyses of what happened in the referendum. The right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) also absolutely hit the nail on the head about where we are today...

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. It will give certainty. It would certainly give certainty to many of the businesses I have talked about. I think there is a dam holding back investment in the economy. We all see it in our constituencies. If the deal were...

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. It will give certainty. It would certainly give certainty to many of the businesses I have talked about. I think there is a dam holding back investment in the economy. We all see it in our constituencies. If the deal were...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were retained on zero-hour contracts by (a) his Department and (b) the Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were retained on zero-hour contracts by (a) his Department and (b) the Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in his Department are employed on zero hours contracts.

[157132]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in his Department are employed on zero hours contracts.

[157132]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people are employed on zero-hour contracts in his Department.

[140250]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people are employed on zero-hour contracts in his Department.

[140250]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of officials in his Department have requested (a) part-time, (b) job-share or (c) other flexible working arrangements in each of the last five years; and how many such requests were granted.

[133654]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of officials in his Department have requested (a) part-time, (b) job-share or (c) other flexible working arrangements in each of the last five years; and how many such requests were granted.

[133654]

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the future of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on the future of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

I start by paying tribute to the hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) for raising this important matter. I am desperate not to sound patronising; it is in the finest tradition of this House, when the Government are considering a way forward, for the Opposition—rightly—to push their view and...

I start by paying tribute to the hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) for raising this important matter. I am desperate not to sound patronising; it is in the finest tradition of this House, when the Government are considering a way forward, for the Opposition—rightly—to push their view and...

I am conscious of the time, and I want to get on to the point about the construction industry, if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me. The issue I have just outlined is one of those that we want to look at in more detail as part of the ongoing...

I am conscious of the time, and I want to get on to the point about the construction industry, if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me. The issue I have just outlined is one of those that we want to look at in more detail as part of the ongoing...

On 12 September 2011, I launched a supplementary consultation on the detail of the order to transfer the functions of British Waterways (BW) in England and Wales to a new waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust (CRT). The consultation closed on 24 October 2011. Today, I am announcing the...

On 12 September 2011, I launched a supplementary consultation on the detail of the order to transfer the functions of British Waterways (BW) in England and Wales to a new waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust (CRT). The consultation closed on 24 October 2011. Today, I am announcing the...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings officials of her Department have had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Government's employment law review since May 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings officials of her Department have had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Government's employment law review since May 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with (a) officials in her Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with (a) officials in her Department, (b) the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) outside organisations on the potential effects of changes arising from the review of employment...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of her Department's adherence to each of the principles of good employment practice set out in the Cabinet Office publication Principles of Good Employment Practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of her Department's adherence to each of the principles of good employment practice set out in the Cabinet Office publication Principles of Good Employment Practice.

Is it not possible that the hon. Gentleman is looking at this down the wrong end of the telescope? The IPC will, as long as it is allowed to exist, have plenty to do in connection with land-based issues. We are creating a new organisation for the management of the...

Is it not possible that the hon. Gentleman is looking at this down the wrong end of the telescope? The IPC will, as long as it is allowed to exist, have plenty to do in connection with land-based issues. We are creating a new organisation for the management of the...

The hon. Gentleman makes many interesting points about renewable energy, but to return to the amendment, we are talking about which agency is best equipped to deal with the developments to which he refers. I am sure that he agrees that a number of the developments will have an environmental...

The hon. Gentleman makes many interesting points about renewable energy, but to return to the amendment, we are talking about which agency is best equipped to deal with the developments to which he refers. I am sure that he agrees that a number of the developments will have an environmental...

Will the Minister comment on the points that I made about the number of employees who might transfer from the MFA?

Will the Minister comment on the points that I made about the number of employees who might transfer from the MFA?

The hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) paid great tribute to the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), calling him a superb Minister, but he also gave him a challenge, which was to think hard about the matters we...

The hon. Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) paid great tribute to the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), calling him a superb Minister, but he also gave him a challenge, which was to think hard about the matters we...

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's comments; he puts my point of view very well. As I said, the wording matters. This provision is at the very start of the Bill, and it sets out the duties and obligations of an organisation that we are creating to be, in...

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's comments; he puts my point of view very well. As I said, the wording matters. This provision is at the very start of the Bill, and it sets out the duties and obligations of an organisation that we are creating to be, in...

Here we are at the last stage of the marathon passage of this Bill—well, we hope that it is the last stage, but that is of course dependent on another place. Hopefully, we will co-operate and get the Bill on the statute book as soon as possible. Amendments 30 and...

Here we are at the last stage of the marathon passage of this Bill—well, we hope that it is the last stage, but that is of course dependent on another place. Hopefully, we will co-operate and get the Bill on the statute book as soon as possible. Amendments 30 and...