Speeches, Parliamentary Questions and Articles

Please find below a list of speeches made and articles written by Bob. They are listed in chronological order and contain links to hansard or the relevant page.

May 2013

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about the conflict in Syria (20 May 2013)

April 2013

Bob asks about maritime capabilities withdrawn from service since 2010 (25 April 2013)

Bob asks about funding for drug addiction services (24 April 2013)

Bob asks about plans for the Defence Budget in 2015-16 (24 April 2013)

Bob asks who the Government has been consulted as part of the Trident Alternatives Review (22 April 2013)

Bob asks what alternatives to the continuous at-sea deterrence policy the Trident Alternatives Review is considering (22 April 2013)

Bob asks about the number of roads deaths which occurred on shared spaces (22 April 2013)

Bob asks a number of questions on Armed Forces Accommodation (22 April 2013)

March 2013

Bob asks about the level of funding allocated to the MoD cyber security budget (13 March 2013)

Bob leads a debate on Coventry City FC and the Ricoh Arena (12 March 2013)

Bob asks whether the MoD has developed rules of engagement for cyber operations (11 March 2013)

Bob asks about employment of Reservists (11 March 2013)

Bob asks what the Government are doing to reduce food waste (5 March 2013)

Bob asks about the effect on the saleability of a property of having a Green Deal loan attached (4 March 2013)

February 2013

Bob speaks in a debate on police funding (13 February 2013)

Bob asks about the correlation between changes to benefits and the increase in demand for foodbanks (4 February 2013)

Bob asks about the costs of utilising alternative capabilities to fulfil the role that would otherwise have been undertaken by Nimrod MRA4 aircraft (4 February 2013)

Bob asks what alternatives to the continuous at-sea deterrence policy the Trident Alternatives Review is considering (4 February 2013)

January 2013

Bob asks a number of questions about the political situation in Bangladesh (25 January 2013)

Bob asks how many people in Coventry are waiting for their ESA appeal to be listed (15 January 2013)

Bob asks what impact the Joint Appeals Task Force has had on benefit appeals (14 January 2013)

Bob asks a number of questions on the political situation and current civil unrest in Bangladesh (14 January 2013)

Bob asks about corruption levels in Bangladesh (14 January 2013)

Bob questions the Home Secretary over the disappearance of a terror suspect (8 January 2013)

Bob seeks clarification on Veterans issue (7 January 2013)

December 2012

Bob asks about ESA appeal waiting times in Coventry (18 December 2012)

Bob asks about the impact of the taxable status of the SGIP on the overall level of guaranteed income received by a recipient (17 December 2012)

Bob asks about the level of underemployment in Coventry (17 December 2012)

Bob asks a series of questions on the undisclosed partner project in respect of Tax Credits (10 December 2012)

Bob asks about the number of people in Coventry who have secured employment through the Work Programme (10 December 2012)

Bob asks which Minister will attend the EU-CELAC summit in Santiago, Chile in January 2013 (4 December 2012)

Bob asks about the availability of public transport in Coventry (4 December 2012)

Bob asks questions on the suitability of the Work Capability Assessment (4 December 2012)

Bob asks about the single market and the Government’s approach to it (4 December 2012)

November 2012

Bob asks about ESA appeal waiting times in Coventry (30 November 2012)

Bob asks a series of questions on safeguarding jobs and manufacturing at London Taxi International (30 November 2012)

Bob asks what steps are being taken to increase the accuracy of decision-making during the initial assessment phase of the work capability assessment (30 November 2012)

Bob asks about the number of hoax 999 calls to the Ambulance Service (26 November 2012)

Bob asks about payment by results drug treatment programmes (26 November 2012)

Bob asks about financing of NHS mental health services (26 November 2012)

Bob asks about the effectiveness of payment by results drug treatment programmes (22 November 2012)

Bob asks about hoax 999 calls to the Police (22 November 2012)

Bob asks about the number of youth contract starts in Coventry (22 November 2012)

Bob asks what measures are in place to ensure that patients are not are removed from a GP’s list without good reason (22 November 2012)

Bob asks about the costs of the Trident Alternatives Review (22 November 2012)

Bob asks about the indicative year-on-year profile of spending on the development phase of Trident (19 November 2012)

Bob asks about fuel poverty in Coventry (7 November 2012)

Bob asks whether the cost of Trident will be met from the core defence budget (6 November 2012)

October 2012

Bob asks what effect the pupil premium is having on the educational attainment of eligible children in Coventry (31 October 2012)

Bob asks whether the Trident Alternatives Review has commissioned any external consultancy work or assistance (31 October 2012)

Bob asks about the associated costs arising from the Trident Alternatives Review (31 October 2012)

Bob asks about progress in reducing corruption in Afghanistan (30 October 2012)

Bob asks what progress has been made in reducing opium production in Afghanistan (30 October 2012)

Bob asks what discussions Ministers have had with their international counterparts on cybercrime (30 October 2012)

Bob asks about the level of crime related to gang activity in Coventry (30 October 2012)

Bob asks what steps are being taken to reduce home repossessions in Coventry (30 October 2012)

Bob asks what steps are being taken to help young people in Coventry secure employment (26 October 2012)

Bob asks about the average length of time to administer benefit appeals in Coventry (26 October 2012)

Bob asks how many homes in Coventry have received assistance from the Warm Homes Discount Scheme (26 October 2012)

Bob asks about the number of free school applications in Coventry (25 October 2012)

Bob asks what capabilities are currently being utilised to fulfil the role that would otherwise have been undertaken by Nimrod MRA4 aircraft (22 October 2012)

Bob asks about the number of people in Coventry receiving Winter Fuel Payments (22 October 2012)

Bob urges the use of diplomacy in dealings with Iran (22 October 2012)

Bob asks about CAFCASS workload weighting (15 October 2012)

Bob asks which defence contracts have been renegotiated since 2010 (15 October 2012)

Bob asks which defence procurement projects have been delayed since the SDSR (15 October 2012)

Bob asks which minister is responsible for the Trident Alternatives Review (15 October 2012)

Bob asks about the re-basing of those elements of the Armed Forces currently based in Germany (8 October 2012)

Bob asks about the rate of inflation used to calculate the necessary rise in the post-2015 defence budget needed to meet the 10-year equipment budget plan (8 October 2012)

Bob asks about the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Class fleet replenishment ships (8 October 2012)

Bob asks about future research funding for unmanned air vehicles (8 October 2012)

September 2012

Bob asks about increasing harm reduction interventions in drug treatment (18 September 2012)

Bob asks about Defence non-front line cost savings (17 September 2012)

Bob asks how many ambulance trusts did not achieve the category A8 standard (14 September 2012)

Bob asks how the government will ensure full take-up of free school meals by eligible children (14 September 2012)

Bob asks about the use of non-geographical telephone numbers in the NHS (14 September 2012)

Bob asks about hospital infection rates (14 September 2012)

Bob asks about the number of cancelled operations in the NHS (14 September 2012)

Bob asks about accident and emergency care (13 September 2012)

Bob asks about waits for cancer treatment on the NHS (13 September 2012)

Bob asks about the effectiveness of the global war on drugs (13 September 2012)

Bob asks about Fire and Rescue Service funding (13 September 2012)

Bob asks how many NHS patients waited more than a year to start treatment (13 September 2012)

Bob asks about the number of people who were turned down for help through the Warm Front Scheme (13 September 2012)

Bob speaks during a debate on the aerospace industry (12 September 2012)

Bob asks about the number of Senior Responsible Owners in the MoD (11 September 2012)

Bob asks when the Home Office plans to update its estimate of the number of acquisitive crimes committed that are related to the consumption of illegal drugs (11 September 2012)

Bob asks about maintaining energy security and resilience (10 September 2012)

Bob asks about net secured and unsecured lending (10 September 2012)

Bob asks about the Community Right to Bid regulations (10 September 2012)

Bob asks about the Navy’s role in counter-narcotics and anti-piracy operations (10 September 2012)

Bob asks about the number of surgical operations carried out (7 September 2012)

Bob asks about social security benefit appeals (6 September 2012)

Bob speaks during a debate on Fire and Rescue Service funding (5 September 2012)

Bob asks about free nursery places (4 September 2012)

Bob asks about Future Force 2020 (3 September 2012)

Bob asks how many GP surgeries offer extended opening hours in Coventry (3 September 2012)

Bob asks about the MoD’s Science and Technology Budget (3 September 2012)

Bob asks about the effects of the SDSR on the size, deployability and capability of the Armed Forces (3 September 2012)

July 2012

Bob asks about the export potential of Foxhound (17 July 2012)

Bob asks about the size of the illicit drugs market in the UK (17 July 2012)

Bob asks about the use of non-geographic telephone numbers in the NHS (17 July 2012)  

Bob asks about the level of homelessness in Coventry (17 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of NHS patients waiting longer that 18 weeks to start treatment (17 July 2012)

Bob asks about international discussion of acceptable behaviour in cyberspace (17 July 2012)

Bob asks about the proportion of Tax Credits paid in error (17 July 2012)

Bob questions the Home Secretary on the Olympics security debacle (16 July 2012)

Bob questions the Defence Secretary on post-operational leave for Armed Forces personnel (16 July 2012)

Bob asks what steps are being taken to reduce levels of domestic violence in Coventry (16 July 2012)

Bob asks about drug decriminalisation (16 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of Police Community Support Officers in Coventry (16 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of teachers in Coventry (13 July 2012)

Bob asks about employment in Coventry (12 July 2012)

Bob asks about social mobility in the West Midlands (12 July 2012)

Bob asks about long-term youth unemployment (12 July 2012)

Bob asks about the use of Unmanned Air Vehicles in UK airspace (12 July 2012)

Bob asks how many people have secured employment through the Work Programme (12 July 2012)

Bob asks about the level of acquisitive crimes related to use of illegal drugs (11 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of homes in Coventry benefiting from assistance from the Warm Front Scheme (11 July 2012)

Bob asks what research the Home Office has considered on either legalisation and regulation or decriminalisation of illegal substances (10 July 2012)

Bob asks about the staff headcount in the NHS (10 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of children living in non-decent housing (10 July2012)

Bob asks about the costs of the NHS reorganisation in Coventry (10 July 2012)

Bob asks about the use of Unmanned Air Vehicles in UK airspace (10 July 2012)

Bob asks about the level of disposable income (9 July 2012)

Bob asks about the effect of the withdrawal of the education maintenance allowance on the number of 16 – 19 year olds entering further education (9 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of pensioners living in fuel poverty (9 July 2012)

Bob asks about the Defence training estate (5 July 2012)

Bob asks about school truancy rates in Coventry (4 July 2012)

Bob asks about crimes levels in Coventry local authority area (3 July 2012)

Bob asks about the effectiveness of the Governments 2010 Drugs Strategy (3 July 2012)

Bob asks when the Government will publish its response to the review of the UK-US extradition treaty (3 July 2012)

Bob asks how the Government intend to increase capacity at appeal hearing venues in Coventry (3 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of people re-admitted to drug treatment (2 July 2012)

Bob asks about the number of 16-24 year olds claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Coventry (2 July 2012)

Bob asks what measures the Government will take to reduce average waiting times at appeal hearing venues in Coventry (2 July 2012)

June 2012

Bob speaks in a debate on Defence Reform (26 June 2012)

Bob asks about Joint Maritime Task Groups (26 June 2012)

Bob asks about the cost of redundancy payments for Armed Forces Personnel (25 June 2012)

Bob ask about the use of foreign registered vehicles on UK roads (26 June 2012)

Bob asks about tightening sanctions against Iran (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about the use of foreign registered vehicles on UK roads (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about improving and increasing interoperability within NATO (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about the number of staff employed at the Tribunals Service to deal with appeal cases to the First-tier Tribunal-Social Security and Child Support (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about the effect of increased appeals to the First-tier Tribunal Social Security and Child Support on the workloads of NHS staff (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about health and social care provision for Thalidomide survivors (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about the suitability of the Work Capability Assessment to assess the capability to work of a person with a mental health condition (25 June 2012)

Bob asks about international co-operation on cyber crime (19 June 2012)

Bob asks about discussions on the decision to procure the F35B aircraft (19 June 2012)

Bob asks about the level of child poverty in Coventry (19 June 2012)

Bob asks how Ministers intend to increase capacity at the Tribunals Service (19 June 2012)

Bob asks about the effects of the SDSR on the number of jobs in the defence industry (18 June 2012)

Bob asks about the value for money offered by private contractors to the police (18 June 2012)

Bob asks about the Prime Minister’s plan to visit Saudi Arabia (18 June 2012)

Bob asks about the number of redundancies in the West Midlands Police Force (18 June 2012)

Bob asks about the provision of clean water and sanitation in developing countries (14 June 2012)

Bob asks about household expenditure on energy bills (14 June 2012)

Bob asks about Social Security appeals to the Tribunals Service (14 June 2012)

Bob asks about the levels of fuel poverty in Coventry (12 June 2012)

Bob asks about the number of affordable homes built in Coventry since May 2010 (11 June 2012)

Bob seeks clarification from the Ministry of Defence in relation to the work to assess the costs, risks and technical feasibility of fitting cats and traps in the carrier programme (11 June 2012)

Bob asks about the future procurement of a second tranche of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Foxhound (11 June 2012)

Bob asks about the level of fuel poverty in Coventry (11 June 2012)

Bob seeks clarification of the time-scales involved in re-basing the Armed Forces currently based in Germany (11 June 2012)

Bob asks about the role of the National Security Council in the decision to procure the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (11 June 2012)

May 2012

Bob urges the Prime Minister to focus on reform in NATO (23 May 2012)

Bob questions the Defence Secretary of Carrier Strike Capability (10 May 2012)

April 2012

Bob seeks clarification over the role of British personnel in Afghanistan post 2014 (30 April 2012)

Bob asks a number of questions on CAFCASS workloads (25 April 2012)

Bob speaks on the mayoral referendums (25 April 2012)

March 2012

Bob Seeks clarification over the Business Partnering for Police Project (27 March 2012)

Bob asks whether the Business Partnering for Police Project has been scrutinised by the Major Projects Authority (23 March 2012)

Bob questions the Home Secretary about the Business Partnering for Police Project (19 March 2012)

Bob ask the Defence Secretary about the hostage rescue operation in Nigeria (13 March 2012)

February 2012

Bob challenges the government over defence exports (20 February 2012)

Bob speaks in a Backbench Business Debate on Iran (20 February 2012)

Bob asks about fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (20 February 2012)

Bob asks about media disruption by the Iranian authorities (20 February 2012)

Bob asks about individual Funding Request decisions taken by Coventry PCT (20 February 2012)

Bob asks further questions about the Medical Assessment Programme (9 February 2012)

January 2012

Bob seeks further information on the Medical Assessment Programme (31 January 2012)

Bob asks the MOD about international law in relation to cyber security (30 January 2012)

Bob asks a further question on the costs of an elected mayor referendum (30 January 2012)

Bob seeks clarification of the effects of changes to Housing Benefit provision on those suffering from Autism (26 January 2012)

Bob asks the Minister for the Cabinet Office about international law in the area of cyber security (26 January 2012)

Bob leads a debate on the use of 084 telephone numbers in the NHS (24 January 2012)

Bob asks Nick Harvey, Minister for the Armed Forces, about the proposed closure of MOD language schools (24 January 2012)

Bob asks a number of questions on media disruption by the Iranian Authorities (19 January 2012)

Bob seeks clarification over the associated costs of organising and conducting a referendum on elected mayors in Coventry (19 January 2012)

Bob asks about the number of Service personnel and their families living in each Country Council Area in England (18 January 2012)

Bob seeks clarification over the monitoring of water consumption levels (18 January 2012)

Bob asks Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, about the Medical Assessment Programme (17 January 2012)

Bob asks for a meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss the benefits that Coventry could derive from HS2 (10 January 2012)

December 2011

Bob asks the Secretary of State for Defence about the recent discussions in the National Security Council on the draw-down from Afghanistan (19 December 2011)

Bob asks Richard Benyon, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, about the effectiveness of water meters in reducing long-term levels of water consumption (19 December 2011)

Bob seeks clarification on the Medical Assessment Programme from Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (19 December 2011)

Bob questions the Government’s commitment to the Military Covenant during Prime Minister’s Questions (14 December 2011)

Bob speaks in a debate on the Economy of the West Midlands and Coventry (13 December 2011)

Bob asks a number of Questions on Social Security Benefit Appeals (6 December 2011)

Bob asks the Communities and Local Government Minister about the effect of changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme on Members in Coventry (5 December 2011)

November 2011

Bob seeks clarification on Strategic Shrinkage from a Foreign Office Minister (24 November 2011)

Bob ask the Secretary of State for Defence about the ethnic composition of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police Force (21 November 2011)

Bob ask the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, about the trend of incidence of drought (21 November 2011)

Bob asks the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, about anaerobic digestion (21 November 2011)

Bob asks the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, about water trading (21 November 2011)

Bob asks the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, about the Water Framework Directive (21 November 2011)

Bob asks the Secretary of State for Defence about troop density in Helmand (14 November 2011)

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report on the military aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme ( 9 November 2011)

Bob gets a pithy response from a Foreign Office Minister to his question on strategic shrinkage (8 November 2011)

Bob asks Health Minister about the use of premium rate telephone numbers by GP surgeries (7 November 2011)

October 2011

Bob asks the Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, about the Public Bodies Bill consultation process (31 October 2011)

Bob asks the Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, about consultation responses received on the Government’s proposals for the Office of Chief Coroner (31 October 2011)

Bob speaks in the Public Bodies Bill debate on the need to create the Office of Chief Coroner (25 October 2011) 

Bob asks the Leader of the House about the scheduling of the Public Bodies Bill (20 October 2011) 

Bob asks the Minister for Veterans about future research on Gulf War Illness (18 October 2011)

Bob asks the Minister for Veterans about the Medical Assessment Centre at St Thomas’ Hospital (18 October 2011) 

Bob asks the Secretary of State for Defence about EU Military Headquarters (10 October 2011)

Bob Asks the Armed Forces Minister about the effectiveness of the Afghan Local Police Programme (3 October 2011)

September 2011

Bob asks Defence Minister about defence exports to India

Bob asks School Minister to visit Richard Lee Primary School

Bob asks Armed Forces Minister about the Royal Marines

Bob asks the Armed Forces Minister about the impact the SDSR will have on 3 Commando

Bob asks the Prime Minister about future visits to Saudi Arabia

Bob asks the Justice Minister for clarification on Chief Coroner

July 2011

Bob asks the Communities Secretary about redistribution (18 July 2011)

Bob asks the Defence Secretary about cuts to the Army (18 July 2011)

Bob speaks in Public Bodies Bill debate about the establishment of the Office of the Chief Coroner (12 July 2011)

Bob speaks in a Westminster Hall debate on the effect of cuts on women in Coventry (12 July 2011)

Bob asks Defence Secretary about post-conflict planning in Libya (4 July 2011)

Bob asks Defence Minister about the status of the Chinook order (4 July 2011)

June 2011

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about the NATO response to the Arab Spring (29 June 2011)

Bob asks the Defence Secretary about joined up Defence policy after the Levene Report is published (27 June 2011)

Bob talks in a Westminster Hall debate about capital expenditure on schools in Coventry (22 June 2011)

May 2011 

Bob talks about the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report on the BBC World Service (19 May 2011)

Bob asks the Transport Secretary about the regulated and unregulated train fares (19 May 2011)

Bob asks the Defence Secretary asks about the consequences of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (18 May 2011)

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about potential stalemate in Libyan operations (16 May 2011)

Bob asks the Defence Secretary about the role of reference groups in terms of the military covenant (16 May 2011)

Bob asks Defence Minister Peter Luff about Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) in Afghanistan (16 May 2011)

Bob asks the Prime Minister about the military covenant at Prime Ministers Questions (4 May 2011)

Bob asks the Prime Minister about his discussions with President Obama about political reconciliation in Afghanistan (3 May 2011)

Bob raises the question of the sell off of the Ansty business park in a debate about the local economy in Coventry (3 May 2011)

April 2011

Bob asks Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt about political efforts to secure peace in Afghanistan (26 April 2011)

Bob asks Defence Minister Andrew Robathan about the effect of defence cuts on the United Kingdom’s operational capacity (4 April 2011)

March 2011

Bob speaks in a Westminster Hall debate about the High Speed Rail 2 Line (31 March 2011) 

Bob raises issues surrounding arming insurgents in Libya at Questions to the Foreign Secretary (30 March 2011) 

Bob speaks in the debate about the UN Security Council res0lution authorising action in Libya (21 March 2011)

Bob speaks in Foreign Affairs debate about the political situation in Libya (15 March 2011)

Bob speaks in a Westminster Hall debate about Richard Lees Primary School (15 March 2011)

Bob asks Defence Minister about the government’s plans to cut £80 million from the science and technology budget (14 March 2011) 

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about the political situation in Libya (7 March 2011) 

Bob asks the Defence Secretary about decisions made in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (2 March 2011) 

January 2011

Bob asks the Defence Secretary about political reconciliation in Afghanistan (31 January 2011)

Bob asks Home Secretary about reductions in back office police numbers and how this will affect frontline services (24 January 2011)

Bob speaks in a debate about Local Government budgets in Coventry (12 January 2011)

Bob writes for Defence Management about the effects of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (11 January 2011)

Bob intervenes on Jim Murphy in the debate about the Armed Forces Bill (10 January 2011)

December 2010

Total Politics Article on Drugs Policy (16 December 2010)

LabourList Article on Drugs Policy (16 December 2010)

Bob in Westminster Hall talking about Drugs Policy in the United Kingdom (16 December 2010)

Bob asks William Hague about the Afghanistan withdrawal deadline (14 December 2010)

Bob asks Eric Pickles about Local Government cuts in Coventry (13 December 2010)

Bob asks Liam Fox about the Afghanistan withdrawal date (13 December 2010)

November 2010

Bob asks David Cameron about the timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan (22 November 2010)

Bob speaks in Westminster Hall debate about policing cuts in Coventry and the West Midlands (16 November 2010)

Bob speaks in the debate on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (4th November 2010)

October 2010

Bob asks the Foreign Secretary about policy in Afghanistan (27th October 2010)

Bob asks a questions about the Nuneaton-Coventry rail link (26th October 2010)

Bob speaks at Strategic Defence and Security Review (19th October 2010)

Bob at Justice Question (19th October 2010)

September 2010

Bob speech to Annual Conference 2010 (27th September 2010)

Bob at Defence Questions (13th September 2010)

Bob speaks at the Backbench Business Debate about Afghanistan (9th September 2010)

July 2010

Bob responds to statement on Afghanistan (7 July 2010)

Bob at Defence Questions (5 July 2010)

June 2010

Bob speaks in the debate on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (21 June 2010)

May 2010

Bob responds to the Queen’s Speech (26 May 2010)