Westminster
Allan in Westminster
Primodos Debate: 7th September 2023
There is considerable evidence indicating that women who were given the drug Primodos (used as a pregnancy test in the 60's and 70's) gave birth to babies with devastating birth defects, or sadly had miscarriages or still-births. Today I spoke in the very emotional Primodos debate in Parliament, and raised the case of my constituent Nan, and her daughter Michelle.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 5th June 2023
The Home Secretary yesterday announced that there would be an additional barge and two further MoD facilities used to house refugees and asylum seekers. I asked the Home Secretary about this today in light of serious concerns.
Watch her response below:
Change of Name by Registered Sex Offenders: 2nd March 2023
The current law in England (similar provisions apply in Scotland) is that anyone may change their name by Deed Poll. This includes those who have been placed on the Sex Offenders Register. This allows people on the Sex Offenders Register to legally change their name and obtain new documents including a passport and drivers licence in their new name. They may then apply for a Disclosure Check which does not reveal their previous convictions. A clear Disclosure Check is often used as proof that the applicant has no previous convictions and allows them to work with children and vulnerable adults. I spoke in the Chamber of the House of Commons yesterday urging the Government to close this loophole to prevent those on the Sex Offenders Register from concealing their convictions.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 2nd March 2023
I asked the Transport Minister yesterday whether the Government intended to adopt the successful Scottish Government scheme which has allowed around 23 million free bus journeys to be taken by those under 22 during the cost-of-living crisis and benefitting the environment.
Watch the response below:
Parliamentary Question: 1st March 2023
The Minister responsible for International Development made a Statement in the Commons Chamber this afternoon in which he outlined the steps being taken by the UK Government in relation to the humanitarian disaster in Turkey and Syria. My question to him was in relation to how prepared the UK Government was for possible future earthquakes in that Region.
Watch the response below:
Parliamentary Question: 23rd February 2023
Polling from Dogs Trust recently found that almost a quarter of dog owners biggest worry was the rising cost of dog food. This morning I asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether measures will be introduced to reduce or remove VAT from dog food in the coming budget. Unfortunately the answer was disappointing.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: Gender Recognition Reform Bill
In light of the UK Government attempting to block the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform Bill, I asked the Secretary of State to clearly explain what provisions would need to be added or taken away from the Bill to make it acceptable to this Government. He could not answer.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: PC David Carrick
As a former Detective Inspector in the Metropolitan Police, I, like everyone else, was shocked and horrified that the crimes committed by PC David Carrick had gone unreported and undetected for so long. I recently raised this with the Home Secretary.
Watch below:
Prevention of Spiking Incidents debate: 11th January 2023
Yesterday, I was pleased to be able to speak in the debate on Drink Spiking and in support of proposed specific legislation. I had prepared a 10/12 minute speech, but as there were so many MP's wishing to speak in this important debate, a time limit of 3 minutes was imposed for each speaker immediately before the debate began.
Watch below:
Posthumous Awards for Emergency Service Personnel debate: 10th January 2023
In 1976, whilst on duty near Carstairs, Lanarkshire, PC George Taylor was brutally murdered by two men who had already murdered two members of staff in order to escape from a nearby psychiatric hospital. His family have campaigned for over 46 years to have his sacrifice officially recognised, without success. Today, in a Westminster Hall debate, I spoke in support of a Motion tabled by Wendy Chamberlain MP to have this rectified and also raised the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher in 1984, as a similar case where the murder of a Police Officer on duty has not been officially recognised by the Honours system.
Watch below:
Prime Minister's Questions: 7th December 2022
In 2020, I met with the former Prime Minister to discuss the Yvonne Fletcher case. Since then, this matter has not progressed. In 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot in the back and killed while policing a political demonstration outside the Libyan Embassy. To this day, no one has ever been charged with her murder. Today I asked the Prime Minister if he will meet with me to see how this case may be taken forward, to bring those responsible for Yvonne's murder to justice in criminal court. Pleased to say he has agreed to meet with me.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 7th December 2022
The Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Scotland have been asked numerous times what is the democratic route available to Scotland to leave the Union. No answer has been provided. This morning, I asked if the people of England should want to leave, what democratic process is available to them. Again, no answer was given.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 6th December 2022
In light of recent reports about Baroness Mone and her connection with PPE MedPro, I asked the Secretary of State to confirm that a full and thorough investigation will take place, and that the report would be made public.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 23rd November 2022
On the same day as PMQs I also got the chance to question the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Jack. Back in 2018 the House voted to acknowledge the Claim of Right - Scotland's people have the right to choose their own destiny. I asked if the Secretary of State now denies this decision, but predictably, he could not answer the question.
Watch below:
Prime Minister’s Questions: 23rd November 2022
Following the decision by the UK Supreme Court, I asked the Prime Minister what right his Government have to deny Scottish democracy, refuse an independence referendum and keep us shackled in this unequal union. He unfortunately failed to answer the question.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 16th November 2022
Recent polls show Scots have little trust in the UK Government to act in their best interests, compared with higher levels of trust in the Scottish Government. So, I recently asked the Minister why he thought trust in the Conservative Government was so low.
Watch his (non) response below:
Opposition Day Debate on Independence: 2nd November 2022
The SNP Westminster group had a rare opportunity to debate and argue the strengths of Scottish Independence in the House. Westminster has failed Scotland, and with independence we will always get the government we vote for. The decisions affecting Scotland must be made by the people of Scotland. Its only a matter of time.
Watch my full speech below:
Parliamentary Question: 31st October 2022
In light of the recent news about the Manston asylum‑seekers centre, last night I asked the Home Secretary to give firm assurances that members of the Prison Office Association and other staff working at Manston, will remain free from personal liability for any illegal decisions made by the Conservative Government around extended detention.
Watch below:
Motion relating to the Committee on Standard's Reports: 18th October 2022
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Standards, of which I am a member, recently completed a report recommending that any MP found to have broken the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, should be allowed an appeal against that finding. This is in keeping with best international employment practise and natural justice. Here is my speech recommending that the Government accept the proposals of the Standards Committee. The Government agreed and the recommendation was accepted.
My second speech a few minutes later welcomed the appointment of a new independent Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, who will replace the current Commissioner, Kathryn Stone, who finished her five‑year tenure in December.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 17th October 2022
Yesterday the Chancellor announced the formation of a new Economic Advisory Council.
I asked him to confirm that they will be independent and not major donors to the Conservative Party trying to gain influence.
Watch his response below:
Parliamentary Question: 12th October 2022
Senior Conservatives are becoming even louder in their calls for the UK Government to claw back powers from the devolved assemblies.
So, today I asked if the Secretary of State for Scotland will commit that the UK Government will not attempt to revoke powers that have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Watch his response below:
Parliamentary Question: 11th October 2022
In recent days the Scottish Government announced that they will be doubling the December Bridging Payment, which is granted to low‑income families, to £260.
In light of this, I recently asked the Chancellor what plans the UK Government have to follow suit and bring in targeted measures for low‑income households. Unfortunately, his answer gave no real assurance that they will do such a thing.
Watch his response below:
Tribute to Her late Majesty the Queen: 9th September 2022
Here is my tribute on behalf of my constituents of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, to the late Queen Elizabeth in the House of Commons on the day following her death. Due to the number of MPs wishing to pay tribute, MPs were limited to three minutes speaking time. Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 8th September 2022
I asked the representative of the Speaker's Committee whether he agrees with me that the new Prime Minister should commit to protecting the independence of the Electoral Commission, and remove aspects of Government overreach in the Elections Act.
Watch the response below:
Parliamentary Question: 7th September 2022
Jagtar Singh Johal is a Scottish Sikh from Dumbarton who was arrested in the Punjab whilst in India for his wedding in November 2017. His family have never been provided with any evidence linking him to any crime making it impossible to prepare a defence. He has reportedly been repeatedly tortured and is currently under threat of the death penalty. It was reported in The Times in August this year that not only have the British Government refused to provide him with any consular assistance, but they may actually have been instrumental in his arrest.
I asked a question in the Chamber about whether the UK Government realised the damage which has been done to the confidence and trust of the Sikh community worldwide in the UK Government by their actions.
Watch the response below:
Parliamentary Question: 28th March 2022
I recently asked the Under Secretary of State what discussions he had had with the Scottish Government in relation to the P&O's actions and what efforts has he made with Cabinet colleagues to end the utterly despicable practice of fire and rehire.
Watch his (non) response below:
Parliamentary Question: 22nd March 2022
The Scottish Government has recently committed to introducing a new Human Rights Bill for Scotland - incorporating four major UN Rights Treaties by 2025.
Today, I asked the Secretary of State, Dominic Raab, whether the UK Government would consider incorporating these plans into any future Bill of Rights.
Watch his response below:
Paid Miscarriage Leave Bill: 17th March 2022
I was pleased to be able to speak in this debate in support of change to make paid miscarriage leave compulsory, at any stage of a pregnancy. I was also able to highlight the fact that, quite rightly, the focus is on women and their care at this time, but to also recognise the profound effect that such sad circumstances may have on the father or partner in the relationship.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 17th March 2022
The French Government has recently decided that car adverts in France must encourage consumers to take more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
So, I asked the Minister whether the UK Government will consider this one small step to help decarbonise transport.
Watch her response below:
Parliamentary Question: 14th March 2022
During a statement on Ukrainian Refugee Sponsorship Scheme, I asked Michael Gove whether there was an actual or notional cap on the number of refugees the United Kingdom would accept, and how that would be decided.
Watch his (non) response below:
Parliamentary Question: 14th March 2022
Following the execution of 81 men in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, I asked the Government Minister whether, in light of this, the United Kingdom Government would now cease arms trade with a regime that shows no sign of respecting human rights.
Watch her response below:
Parliamentary Question: 3rd March 2022
In March, I asked the Minister how the Government can claim the UK is a world leader on animal welfare, in light of the suggested plan to drop the proposed ban on foie gras and fur imports.
Watch the response below:
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill debate: 28th February 2022
On Monday, I spoke in the debate on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Although the vast majority of the extremely controversial Bill does not apply to Scotland, it has implications for anyone travelling to London to take part in protests or demonstrations. The Bill is a blatant Government attempt to limit the fundamental human right of people to protest.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 28th February 2022
On Monday I asked the Home Secretary whether she will listen to the 50 organisations who have called for the Ukraine crisis to lead to a rethink of the discriminatory Nationality and Borders Bill. As expected, her response was disappointing.
Watch below:
Adjournment Debate WPC Yvonne Fletcher: 22nd February 2022
In February 2022 I secured a 30 minute debate in the Chamber with the Minister for Crime and Policing. I chose the subject of the debate to be the Murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher in 1984. I asked a number of very relevant questions but if you listen to the Ministers response, not many answers.
Watch below:
Adjournment Debate: 22nd February 2022
I'm delighted to have secured an Adjournment Debate in Parliament on Tuesday 22nd February to raise the subject of the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher who was shot in the back and murdered whilst policing a political demonstration outside the Libyan Peoples Bureau in 1984.
You can watch this debate on Parliament TV at: https://parliamentlive.tv/Commons
Parliamentary Question: 10th February 2022
On the 28th January, Ministers of the three devolved administrations were called at very short notice to a meeting with the Attorney General to discuss the so-called ‘Brexit Freedom Bill’. The meeting was described as a rushed exercise, with no effort by the UK Government to properly consult the devolved governments on the details, nor seek their views on the impacts on devolved areas of policy and law.
So, today I asked the Minister:
“Will the Attorney General commit today, unequivocally, that devolved administrations will be consulted extensively before any further decisions are taken which would affect their existing policies and specifically in relation to retained EU law?”
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 10th February 2022
Today I asked the Minister:
“Will the Minister be insisting to Cabinet colleagues that levelling up plans include finally delivering the funding necessary to roll out Superfast Broadband, as it is the UK Government's responsibility?”
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 9th February 2022
On Wednesday 9th February 2022, I asked the Minister:
“Has the Secretary of State assessed how many millions of homes could be powered by Welsh offshore generation?”
Despite his answer, this was warmly welcomed by Welsh MP's.
Watch below:
Cumberlege Report debate: 3rd February 2022
In February 2022 I spoke in the Westminster Hall debate about the Baroness Cumberlege Report. I spoke on behalf of my constituents about the devastating harm caused by the pregnancy testing drug Primodos. I will continue to fight for justice for those tragically affected by these issues.
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 3rd February 2022
In February 2022 I asked the Minister:
“Can the Minister confirm if any of the promised £350 million a week advertised on the side of a bus as a benefit of leaving the European Union has been used to purchase PPE for the NHS?”
Watch below:
Parliamentary Question: 3rd February 2022
In February 2022 I asked the Minister:
“Will the Minister join me in congratulating the residents of Levenmouth and East Neuk of Fife who will see their rail link restored over 50 years after it was abolished by his predecessor? And does he agree that the glacial progress of reconnecting communities in England to the national rail network is hindering growth while the Scottish Government's record is delivering real benefits for the people of Scotland?”
Watch below:
Cost of Living Increases debate: 24th January 2022
In January 2022 I spoke in the Chamber about the cost-of-living crisis. This will have a significant impact upon my constituents, and those across the country, as food and energy prices continue to soar. The Government must implement an emergency financial package to protect those most in need, urgently.
Watch below:
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits debate: 15th September 2021
In September 2021 I spoke in the Chamber during the debate on retaining the weekly £20 uplift to Universal Credit. I voted against this callous cut to Universal Credit, but unfortunately the Conservative Government's large majority meant the cut went ahead.
Watch below:
Real Fur Sales debate: 14th September 2021
In September 2021 I spoke in the Westminster Hall debate about real fur sales in the UK. Evidence from multiple scientific studies has shown that a wide range of animals are sentient beings; they have the capacity to experience joy and pleasure, but also pain and fear. A total ban on fur imports and sales is required, and it is required now.
Watch below: