Rachel Gilmour MP: speeches

Speeches

• 17 Jun 2025 · Genocide Convention: UK Compliance · Hansard source

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  This morning I was at a very moving service at St Paul’s cathedral to recognise the 30th anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica. One of the VIP guests was His Excellency the Palestinian ambassador. Would the Minister have any idea why he was considered to be such an important guest at such an occasion?

• 9 Jun 2025 · Non-stun Slaughter of Animals · Hansard source

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  I am very glad that my hon. Friend has mentioned the issues surrounding this practice so sensitively. I want to begin by saying that my comments are based on animal welfare issues, as reflected by my constituents. Does he agree that this practice is not only outdated but barbaric, and that it inflicts needless suffering on animals? It also does the consumer absolutely no favours, given that heightened distress and panic in the animal at the time of slaughter leads to meat of inferior quality.

• 3 Jun 2025 · Groceries Code Adjudicator · Hansard source

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  The Groceries Code Adjudicator is of course vital, but my party and I believe that its remit is too narrow. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that it is time for a new groceries code regulatory authority, with powers to introduce price floors and ceilings, ensuring fair prices for suppliers and consumers?

• 1 Apr 2025 · Access to Dentistry: Somerset · Hansard source

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  The area around Minehead, in my constituency, has the smallest number of dentists in the country. Does my hon. Friend agree that the fact that the area is both rural and coastal presents a unique set of problems because of deprivation and neglect, which means that the dental desert there is felt very acutely indeed?

• 25 Mar 2025 · Veterinary Products in Waterways · Hansard source

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  With pleasure—and happy birthday.

• 30 Jan 2025 · Local Post Offices · Hansard source

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  Following on from the intervention of the hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Helen Hayes), I represent Tiverton and Minehead, a very rural constituency. Dulverton is a classic example of what we are talking about. The farmers used to come down from Cutcombe market, after they had sold their cattle and sheep, and deposit their money in a bank or post office in Dulverton. We just about have a post office there, but no banks. Does my hon. Friend agree that post offices and banks are two sides of the same coin?

• 30 Jan 2025 · Proportional Representation: General Elections · Hansard source

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  On that point, will the shadow Minister give way?

• 22 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Scheme · Hansard source

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  In my beautiful constituency of Tiverton and Minehead, I have 25 grade I listed churches. There is hardly a village that does not have a grade I listed church and churches with other statuses. I hope the hon. Member agrees that, without this grant, there are dark days ahead for these communities.

• 15 Jan 2025 · Foot and Mouth Disease · Hansard source

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  I am sure that my farmers, like me, will be hugely grateful to know that the ban will operate with cross-party support; our farmers are more important than party politics. Back in 2001, I was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Totnes constituency. The amount of communication with farmers before the outbreak was the only thing that made it easier for them to understand what was going on, because one could not go on a farm once it had started. May I encourage the Minister to communicate with farmers as much as he can during this very difficult time?

• 5 Nov 2024 · Future of Fishing · Hansard source

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  I came here under the misapprehension that I was attending a debate on fishing. I know my history perfectly well. Could we move on to fish, please?