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Mr Stephen Byers

Mr Stephen Byers

IND Independent Former MP
Last served North Tyneside (1992-04-09 – 2010-05-06)
31.0
Progressive
16 coded votes
848
Total votes
378
Ayes
470
Noes
0
Other

Parliamentary History

9 Apr 1992 – 6 May 2010 (18 yrs)

Ideology spectrum

31.0
ProgressiveCentreConservative

Progressive — based on 16 coded votes across 1 axes (2% coverage).

Policy axis scores

0 = progressive, 50 = centre, 100 = conservative. Based on coded division votes.

Climate / energy 31
Medium confidence 16 votes

Voting trends (most recent 12 months of activity)

Voting record

June 2009 5 votes
Division Date Vote
If the House resolves to give the inquiry the authority to compel witnesses and to put them on oath, that is exercisable against any witness. Why is the House not being asked to provide that safeguard, so that the inquiry commands public confidence? In all the debates that we have had on this matter in recent months, the Franks inquiry has been cited as the model for getting to the heart of these ... 24 Jun 2009 NO
On the economy, we know what— [ Interruption. ] I am about to come to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price) , so he can keep calm. What were his views, along with all the nationalists? They proclaimed the great arc of prosperity that was to extend across the smaller countries—Ireland, Iceland and Latvia. The hon. Gentleman said that "small country success is everywhere...Ic... 10 Jun 2009 NO
If the hon. Lady will allow me, I shall finish this point, lest I have to start being rude to her. I want to make sure that where we can proceed in unity in the House, we do so. There is no point in trying to score partisan points just for the sake of it, but I reserve my position on that for the hon. Lady. I thank the Minister for giving way. I know that in his previous job, he was keen to modern... 10 Jun 2009 AYE
I will deal with that point in due course, but the point that I wanted to make related to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) , who spoke with great eloquence about the impact on families who face repossession, and the position of leaseholders. I congratulate her on the work that she is doing to protect her constituents from a local Conservative council, who... 9 Jun 2009 NO
Order. I am sorry to interrupt the Minister, but there are far too many conversations going on all around the Chamber. We must hear the end of this debate clearly. I guess that that tells us a little about the Opposition's interest in these issues, as compared with that of Government Members. As I was about to say, social care users who arrange their own care will be able to raise a complaint with... 8 Jun 2009 AYE
May 2009 23 votes
Division Date Vote
Division 140 20 May 2009 NO
Question accordingly negatived. Main Question put. 20 May 2009 AYE
Before the Minister moves on, may I make a point? He used the word "normally" in his responses on the previous issue. While I very much welcome the proposal for a 40-day period, there is to be no indication to a Secretary of State on what the overall period should be. I see no objection to setting out a minimum period. Will the Minister give way? If the hon. Lady will forgive me, I will not, as I ... 20 May 2009 NO
(c) intimidation of B. (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years."'.— (Dr. Evan Harris.) Brought up. 19 May 2009 NO
Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the most effective exit projects in London, based at Toynbee hall, supports the new orders for prostitutes? Those workers with drug-dependent prostitutes say that often there are co-dependency issues that can be dealt with only if the prostitutes are brought to diversion projects by the court. We all bring anecdotal evidence. I have been convening Safety First C... 19 May 2009 NO
(3) Any decision of the Crown Court may be appealed to the Court of Appeal within 21 days of such decision. (4) Where an application has been made for an order under this section, the relevant sample and any information derived therefrom shall not be destroyed until such application and any appeal thereof has been determined. (3) At end of section 113(1) insert— "provided always that the protectio... 19 May 2009 NO
"The Government should introduce a Bill to replace the existing regulatory framework governing the NDNAD. This would provide an opportunity to reassess the length of time DNA profiles are retained under regulatory oversight of the NDNAD." We agree. The use, retention and destruction of DNA records and the oversight that sits behind it require detailed primary legislation in their own right, with f... 19 May 2009 NO
Last week, she said: "We will have as much discussion as we can and will try, if possible, to reach agreement on the allocation of time in the full day's debate on Report." That was after we had to accept that we would be given only one day. Again, in response to the hon. Member for Macclesfield, the Leader of the House said: "I have said that we will have discussions to make sure that we can try ... 19 May 2009 AYE
The Government are committed to transparency and the hon. Member for Reigate can be assured that any emerging information on the possible side effects will be fully evaluated. We will take appropriate action promptly when any true side effects are detected but, alongside that transparency, we need to maintain public trust and confidence. The facts speak for themselves, and they remind us why we in... 13 May 2009 AYE
Question accordingly negatived. Amendment proposed : 15, page 12, line 19, leave out from 'effect' to end of line 20 and insert 13 May 2009 NO
I thank the Minister again for giving way. In the Westminster Hall debate in February—that was the last time everybody had the opportunity to debate the issues—she said: "The fact that the dispute is ongoing means that it is inappropriate for me to discuss in detail issues relating to fiscal neutrality."—[ Official Report, 27 February 2009; Vol. 488, c. 132WH .] Surely there has been a complete vo... 13 May 2009 NO
Question accordingly negatived. Question put, That the clause stand part of the Bill. 13 May 2009 AYE
Question accordingly negatived. Amendment proposed : 11, page 10, line 40, at end add 13 May 2009 NO
The hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire said that the scheme was sketchy and would be difficult to operate, but my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) pointed out that several European countries successfully operate similar schemes. If they can do it, the UK Treasury is capable of drawing one up. My hon. Friend the Member for Caithness, Suthe... 13 May 2009 NO
The next paragraph states: "North Sea revenues are expected to almost halve in 2009-10." To use her expression, that is wildly fluctuating, but it is fluctuating in the opposite direction to fuel duties. We argue that the two can be balanced out. I am fascinated by the process by which the Minister thinks that the baseline would be arrived at. Is it something about which Lord Hattersley, or other ... 13 May 2009 NO
To me, that illustrates a tendency towards a rules-based system which, in my view, has a number of negative effects on companies' positive approach to organising their affairs. I am in the principles-based camp; I do not think that we should tie things up unnecessarily. The other issue that Sarbanes-Oxley raises has already been touched on in relation to materiality. The Act introduced something r... 13 May 2009 NO
I hope that I have reassured the hon. Member for Taunton that we have taken steps to secure the objectives that his amendment would deliver, in so far as they are achievable, and that he will feel able to withdraw the amendment. Thank you, Sir Michael, for giving me an opportunity to speak at the conclusion of this helpful debate. Many hon. Members will appreciate the modest but none the less welc... 12 May 2009 AYE
The Minister is most generous in giving way again, and I am most grateful. I accept the value of the benefits that the Minister has outlined—it would be churlish not to—but my point is that the customers of the business to which I referred say that, even though they get a lot of grant, they simply do not have the money that they need to put in themselves. They get a 40 per cent. grant, but they ca... 12 May 2009 NO
I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the authoritative KPMG survey of more than 500 multinational companies that reached that conclusion. The World Bank's "Doing Business 2009" study ranks the UK sixth in the world. The evidence is clear: we are in a strongly competitive position, and it is important that we should retain that. If everything is so wonderful, why have so many companies left for tax ... 12 May 2009 NO
I need to make a bit of progress, because the Bill— [Interruption.] Order. I am sorry to interrupt the right hon. Gentleman. I must appeal to the House: we must end the debate in an orderly manner. The Financial Secretary's argument should be heard, and then we can bring the matter to a proper conclusion. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Bill underpins our commitment to the short-term support th... 6 May 2009 AYE
Question accordingly negatived. The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time ( Standing Order No. 83E ). Amendment made: 10, page 31, line 1, leave out Clause 49.— (Ed Balls.) 5 May 2009 NO
Will the Minister give way? One more time. The Minister has been very generous, Madam—sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker; I am confusing genders. If there has been no grade inflation, why has it been necessary to introduce the A* grade, which I understand many universities are now obliging students to attain? I find it very sad that the hon. Gentleman cannot accept the possibility that the abilities of our... 5 May 2009 NO
Adding to all the financial woes, the Government are muddying the waters by further complicating an already complex system. The ineffectual LSC is to be abolished, only to be replaced by three new bodies. That has led to further confusion and worry, especially as there is no evidence that the more complicated system will be any more efficient. With your permission, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I propose to... 5 May 2009 NO
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