Wagner Group: Sanctions Regime
Sir John Whittingdale Does my hon. Friend agree that this is just the latest example of a dodgy Russian oligarch or similar using legal action to attempt to shut down legitimate journalism? I strongly welcome what he has said about the Government’s intention to act against SLAPPs, but will he commit to publishing the detail […]
Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh
Sir John Whittingdale I thank my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) for securing this timely debate. I want not to repeat what other Members have said—I agree with all the speeches that have been made so far—but to contribute because I have actually been to Nagorno-Karabakh. I travelled there […]
Russia’s Grand Strategy
Sir John Whittingdale I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin) on securing this debate for a second time. Looking at what was said a year ago, I think there was some foresight then and, if greater attention had been paid at that time, we might not be […]
Iran International Journalists
Sir John Whittingdale My hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Dr Offord) was right to draw attention to the power of the media in exposing what is going on in Iran, but my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be aware of the continuing threats against journalists working for Iran International, whose headquarters in […]
Non-domestic Energy Support
Sir John Whittingdale While I agree with my hon. Friend that support cannot continue indefinitely, I welcome his recognition that high energy users will continue to require special help. Will that support cover agricultural businesses that are high energy users such as Dengie Crops in my constituency, which uses gas to dry crops to produce […]
Migration and Economic Development
Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) Two months ago, I visited the Hope hostel in Kigali. Not only was the accommodation of a high standard, but the Rwandans I spoke to expressed hope that those coming would, in due course, obtain jobs and move out to their own homes, thus allowing more refugees to come and […]
BBC Local Radio
Sir John Whittingdale(Maldon) (Con) I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Sir Mike Penning) on obtaining this debate. It is also a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell). I do not often agree with what he says but, apart from a couple of sentences, […]
Government Information Campaigns: Local Media
Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the power of local media in getting vital health messages across, but will he look at ensuring that, as well as local print media, local online-only publishers such as Nub News are included in future campaigns? Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet OfficeAlex Burghart I completely […]
Newport Wafer Fab
Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) I welcome the measures that the Government have already taken in the National Security and Investment Act to protect critical national infrastructure companies from overseas control, but does the Secretary of State agree that it is important we do not just shut the stable door, and that where we become […]
BBC World Service
Sir John Whittingdale(Maldon) (Con) What funding his Department provides to the BBC World Service? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Rutley The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is providing the BBC World Service with a flat cash three-year settlement of £94.4 million annually. Since 2016, the FCDO has provided over […]