Roger Williams MP
Campaigning for Brecon & Radnorshire
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Roger Williams MP Campaigning for Brecon & Radnorshire |
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Roger Williams MP | <info@rogerwilliams.org.uk> |
20 Most Recent Stories From TheyWorkForYou.com Search: in the 'Commons debates' speaker:Roger WilliamsWed 7th Jul 2010: British Waterways (7 Jul 2010). Roger Williams: I am very encouraged by the positive way in which the Minister is responding to the debate. I can see how such a model can deliver sustainable maintenance of the waterways, but on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, for example, we had a breach that cost £1 million to repair. How would such a model deal with those emergency situations? British Waterways (7 Jul 2010). Roger Williams: I understand the hon. Gentleman's general point about railways taking over from canals, but does he accept that because the Glanusk estate refused to have the dreaded railway across their land, the Mon and Brec canal persisted for a lot longer than most canals? Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (7 Jul 2010). Roger Williams: The UK has a splendid reputation for the quality of its agricultural science and research, and these skills will be needed to face up to the challenges of climate change and an increasing world population. Will the Prime Minister confirm that Government and EU policy decisions on such matters will be taken on the basis of sound science and proportionate regulation? Mon 28th Jun 2010: Capital Gains Tax (Rates) (28 Jun 2010). Roger Williams: I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and I agree with the sentiments he is expressing. Does he agree that charities that are unable to reclaim VAT could be about £250 million worse off as an unintended consequence of the VAT measure? Thu 24th Jun 2010: Business of the House (24 Jun 2010). Roger Williams: Would the Leader of the House look favourably on requests for a general debate on the Floor of the House on science and its role in ensuring that we have an expanding and improving economy, particularly so that the Government can express their views on genetically modified technology and the role it can play in British agriculture? Wed 23rd Jun 2010: Roger Williams: What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the findings of the Independent Commission on Funding and Finance for Wales. Roger Williams: I welcome the Minister and the Secretary of State to their posts. Notwithstanding the review that has been promised after a successful referendum, there is clear and understandable concern about the difficulties that will be faced in Wales because of the necessary measures being taken to reduce the deficit. Will the Minister commit himself to a dialogue with Gerry Holtham and with Treasury... Tue 8th Jun 2010: Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Topical Questions (8 Jun 2010). Roger Williams: A Select Committee in the other place found that reform of the Barnett formula could lead to a reduction in the budget deficit. In terms of the imperative of achieving that, will not the Treasury team look once again at that Select Committee report? Wed 26th May 2010: Government Spending Cuts (26 May 2010). Roger Williams: On 26 November 2009, the then Secretary of State for Wales made a commitment, which was supported by the current Secretary of State for Wales, that the Government will take action if Wales is adversely affected by the outdated Barnett formula. Will the Chief Secretary and the Government make a similar commitment, particularly as regards Barnett consequentials resulting from Government... Thu 25th Mar 2010: Roger Williams: As has already been pointed out, the competitiveness of farming has been affected by the appalling record and performance of the Rural Payments Agency. There has been considerable investment in IT, but it has failed to remedy all the failures. What steps has the Minister taken to improve the efficiency of operations managers in the RPA, so that they can balance resources to meet their work... Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Topical Questions (25 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: My hon. Friend the Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) has already raised the issue of biodiversity and the Government's approach to it. At the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, it is feared that there will be a decision to reintroduce commercial whaling. If no consensus is reached by the European Union IWC members, all European member states... Wed 17th Mar 2010: Oral Answers to Questions — Wales: Tax Credits (17 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: As we have heard, the tax credit system is very complex and fraught with difficulties. I am sure that the Secretary of State agrees that one of the main causes of poverty in Wales is the very low level at which income tax starts being paid, which stops people entering or re-entering the employment market. Will the Secretary of State take the opportunity this morning to support the Liberal... Fri 5th Mar 2010: Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: If the hon. Gentleman looks at those figures, he will find that the decline in farm-gate prices was far greater than the decline in retail prices, and that leads one to suppose that the supermarkets were maintaining or increasing their margins while putting pressure on the smaller producers. Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: The hon. Gentleman has picked a figure of 1 per cent. Does that mean that supermarkets are underpaying suppliers by £1.3 billion as a result of their unfair practices? Is that the assumption he is making with the figures he has picked out of the air? Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: I will try once more. The hon. Gentleman says that the supermarkets are not trading unfairly in any way. Presumably therefore, in his analysis, the ombudsman would not make any award or decision that increases what supermarkets pay to suppliers. However, he has given the figure of 1 per cent., which assumes that there is unfair trading to the tune of £1.3 billion. Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but some small producers supply bigger processors. I am thinking about the report that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will soon produce on Dairy Farmers of Britain. I do not want to pre-empt the report's findings, but one thing is certain-that group has gone bust, and that has caused huge problems for very small milk producers.... Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: indicated assent. Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: Another benefit for supermarkets and large retailers is the ability to plan for a continuity of supply. That is important for both them and their customers. Agricultural support used to encourage supply, but we have now moved away from that. If we are to have continuity, we must have profitability right the way along the supply chain. A regulator could achieve both that and continuity of supply. Prayers: Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill (5 Mar 2010). Roger Williams: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree with me on a point that he might develop later. The issue is not all about prices; it is about terms of trade as well. I recently discovered a supermarket that tried to increase its credit terms to 90 days. That is an impossible situation for a small supplier, so the matter is about more than price-it is about terms of trade as well. Thu 25th Feb 2010: Roger Williams: As always, it is a pleasure and a privilege to follow the right hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), to whom I pay tribute for the friendliness and support he offered in his two tenures as Secretary of State for Wales. He visited my constituency at the depth of the current recession to meet small business owners who were struggling and gave them assistance and encouragement. I am pleased to... Earlier Stories Complete archive on the official site.
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