Sir Alan Campbell

Let me first of all mention the recent shooting in Krakow. This was an horrific act, and I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House are with the families of those who lost their lives, the injured and everyone affected by this senseless violence. Remembrance Sunday is our opportunity to remember and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of all those who defended our freedoms and protect our way of life. Can I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, Mr Speaker and all the House staff for the events to mark remembrance across Parliament this year? In that vein, I pay tribute to Matthew “Matt” MacKinnon-Pattison, who died on Thursday 5 November, aged 102. He was the last known surviving world war two veteran of the British Special Air Service and one of hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers who fought the Germans in Italy in the spring of 1944. I am sure that the whole House will join me in sending condolences to his friends and family. Turning to the issue of veterans support, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we have a continuing obligation to servicemen and women. That is part of the reason the Prime Minister wrote to councils across England yesterday to urge them to draw up plans to offer accommodation for veterans sleeping rough ahead of this festive period. The Government are committed to tackling homelessness for good, and people who stepped forward and were prepared to put their lives on the line should never lack a roof over their head. On other issues of public service, I pay tribute to the leader of Great Yarmouth’s Labour group, Trevor Wainwright, who has died aged 76. Trevor first became a borough councillor in 2002 and later led the council from 2012 to 2015. He gave a long and distinguished service, and I am sure that the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences. Yesterday, the Modernisation Committee launched an inquiry into private Members’ Bills. They are an excellent opportunity for MPs to raise awareness of issues of importance to them and their constituents, and sometimes they change the law. I encourage all interested Members to engage with the inquiry. On wider matters, figures this morning show that the UK economy is growing at the fastest rate in almost 10 years outside the pandemic. Despite a year when events around the world have pushed up costs here at home, our economy is growing, bringing hope for the future. We keep a focus on the things that matter to people most: bringing down bills, creating good jobs and helping businesses to grow. Let me turn to the comments of the shadow Leader of the House. Before I do so, may I congratulate him on the opening of his play “The Winding Stair”, which is playing to sold-out theatres? We look forward to it coming to the west end—