(Luton South) (Lab): The House rises next Wednesday,
but just two weeks later, on 5 August, it will be one year since
the Indian Government revoked article 370 of the
constitution and the people of Jammu and Kashmir
were locked down. Human rights were attacked, and subsequent
violence has resulted in many deaths. The Backbench Business
Committee had listed a debate on human rights abuses in
Kashmir on 23 March, and then on 26 April, but, as
the Leader of the House is aware, debates were cancelled due to
covid-19. The situation in Jammu and Kashmiris of
urgent importance to many of my constituents in Luton South and
those of other Members. Will he ensure that time is found early in
September for a debate on human rights abuses in the region?
Mr Rees-Mogg: The hon. Lady is absolutely right to ask for a
debate on this issue, and I note what she says about the
Backbench Business Committee’s willingness to give her one. It
will of course be possible to raise this at the pre-recess
Adjournment debate, when a Minister will be answering, and I
would encourage her to do that. We expect Westminster Hall to
reopen from 5 October, so that will provide the opportunity for
more debates. I hope that it will be possible to facilitate
Backbench Business Committee debates once we are back after the
recess.
Extract from second
reading debate (Commons) of the Non-Domestic Rating (Public
Lavatories) Bill
(Bristol West) (Lab): On the east coast of India
in a town called Pondicherry, on the seafront, beside a broad
walkway, underneath coconut trees and opposite a massive statue
of Gandhi, there is a large public sign. It has a map of the town
on it, and all public lavatories are clearly marked. There are
pictures and diagrams clearly illustrating activities that may be
carried out in them, and importantly, there are also pictures and
diagrams illustrating equally clearly where those activities
should not be carried out. There is information about the public
health consequences of carrying out these exercises other than in
lavatories. It requires no app and no internet. The sign is
replicated in other public meeting spots around the town, and I
love it—I love it so much that I have a picture of it on my
phone. I have followed the toilet trail around the town, and I
can vouch for every one.
On a serious note, the message from the sign is clear, and it is
one that we need to reflect on as we consider this Bill. Across
the whole globe, public health requires that there are public
toilets and that people can use them with confidence, know where
they are and trust that they will be available, safe and clean
for use. I salute that wonderful town and all the others across
the world who understand the need to promote public lavatories
and, importantly, to break down taboos about talking about them,
because we definitely need to do that...
