Speaking at the conference Mr Evans said,

“For the first time the British Parliament held an election for their Deputy Speakers by secret ballot and extended that democratic principle to the Chairmen of Select Committees and all their memberships. This has meant that what was once in the control of Party management has now firmly been given to MPs.

“Even with centuries of traditions and history, the UK Parliament is still modernising itself by democratising areas normally under the control of a select few.”

Speaking at the event, Mr Evans said, 

“The UK Space industry is a world leader and of vital importance to the UK economy and particularly the Ribble Valley. The industry is not only concerned with manned missions into space. There are many ways in which space affects our daily lives, from the satellites that feed our communication and navigational systems to those that ensure the defence of our very way of life. BAE Systems is one of the companies that depend on the space industry and I am proud to have them based in Samlesbury in my constituency. 

“Of course we must ensure that there is a new generation of people in the UK who are involved in the research, development and manufacture of goods pertaining to space. As such I was very pleased to today welcome 6 astronauts to the House of Commons to brief schoolchildren from all over the country on life as an astronaut. One of the things highlighted by the astronauts was the need to have authoritative knowledge of mathematics and physics. Departments in universities who teach these subjects have been closing up and down the country for decades and this is partly because of a sheer lack of demand. I think it is crucial that we promote these subjects and indeed the NASA astronauts have toured schools around the UK this week to try to encourage more engagement with them through talking about their experiences.

“I very much hope that a team of astronauts will return to the UK very soon and am pleased that Timothy Peake, a British trainee was last year accepted into the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Corps. Perhaps Timothy will accept an invitation to do a similar tour and assure young people in Britain that they too have a part to play in the various roles the space industry requires.”

Mr Evans is pictured centre with his Senior Parliamentary Adviser, Daniel O’Byrne on the left and Parliamentary Adviser, Alexander Cruz Vidal on the right. The astronauts in the row behind are, from left to right, Michael Good (2^nd Mission Specialist), Stephen Bowen (3^rd Mission Specialist), Garrett Reisman (1^st Mission Specialist), Piers Sellers (4^th Mission Specialist – Mr Sellers was a British citizen who was born and educated here before moving to the USA), Kenneth Ham (Mission Commander) and Dominic Antonelli (Shuttle Pilot).

Mr Evans said, 

“It is important that industry and Parliament come together in order to share ideas and problems. There is an intrinsic economic value of the food and drink industry to the UK. Indeed, it represents over 15% of manufacturing turnover and employment. 

“The results of the report at the University of Cambridge by the Institute of Manufacturing, “The Value of Food and Drink Manufacturing to the UK”, is exceptionally positive, highlighting, amongst other things, that the sector provides above average pay and relatively long tenure in employment and has had a strong response to environmental and health concerns.” 

Speaking after the reception Mr Evans said, 

“I was particularly pleased to see the distinguished list of speakers present, Ross Warbuton (FDF President), Anne McIntonsh MP (Chair of the DEFRA Select Committee) and Jim Paice MP (Minister of State for Agriculture and Food). 

“The Ribble Valley prides itself on its food and drink industry and is a centre of excellence in the North West. It is an honour to sponsor such an event as I regard this industry with great importance. I will continue to support this element of manufacturing as it is vital to future economic growth in the UK.”

Mr Evans visited Spiroflow as part of his mission to discuss the concerns and needs of industry during what will undoubtedly be tough times ahead for everybody. Spiroflow have already demonstrated that, even during tough times, opportunities have to be grasped to ensure survival in the short term and future development of the business in the longer term – when the economies of the UK, USA, and Europe return to strong, positive growth. Since the beginning of the year, Spiroflow have participated in a major FOOD Exhibition in Dubai, UAE and, as direct result, they have established a Representative there and are beginning to win business. They have formed a joint-venture with a US manufacturer of specialised pneumatic conveying systems to introduce the benefits of their equipment to customers across Europe. And, in addition, through their US subsidiary company, they have a new range of conveyors for heavy, abrasive applications by the acquisition of Dynamet Inc.

As Group Chairman, Michel Podevyn comments, “The joint venture and the acquisition give us one of the widest ranges of powder handling conveyors in the business. Customers can be assured that we can offer them the optimum solutions for their applications. This coupled with the introduction of some new bulk bag handling equipment and the widening of our marketing activities into the Middle East will ensure we come through this recession and are ready to grasp the business that’ll be there when the recovery comes. We were delighted to have Mr Evans visit us so that we could talk candidly about the issues that affect a small business like ours that wants to grow and offer more jobs and prospects to employees in the Ribble Valley.”

Mr Evans said, “I was delighted to visit Spiroflow. It is a fantastic example of how small to medium sized enterprises should be run to the benefit of the local economy and to the consumer. It is vitally important that businesses like Spiroflow have the opportunity to engage with politicians. It enables us to have a better understanding of the needs of SMEs which are so central to an area like the Ribble Valley.”

Speaking at the reception, Mr Evans said,

“Breast cancer affects over half a million people in the UK and charities like Breast Cancer Care do vital work in raising funds and providing services and support to sufferers of the disease. I was humbled to meet volunteers today from all over the country who have worked tirelessly – some of them for decades – to ensure this crucial work continues.

“Every year 46,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and Breast Cancer Care have campaigned for better care standards and promoted the importance of early detection. I am certain that their efforts are saving lives up and down then country.”

“The Strawberry Tea reception this afternoon reflected the Strawberry Tea events that happen all over the country in order to raise money for Breast Cancer Care and I commend this imaginative way of bringing people together to ensure that they are aware of the realities of this disease.”

Speaking at the reception, Mr Evans said, 

“The aerospace industry is of vital importance to the UK and particularly Lancashire, with BAE Systems and the Consortium for Lancashire Aerospace to mention just two interested parties in my constituency. In consideration of this it was both useful and informative to attend the summer reception for the All-Party Parliamentary Space Committee and hear the minister and others giving their views. 

“One of the issues discussed was the ability of satellites to enable broadband access for those in areas where cable connections have presented a problem. I know there are constituents of mine who will be interested in developments with this technology and indeed will benefit from it.

“The Parliamentary Space Committee is a conduit for the industry to ensure their views are heard by lawmakers and whilst in my new role as Deputy Speaker of the House I will not be able to take an executive role in the Committee, I will continue to support it. 

“This is an exciting time for the industry as it matures even further. As the technology associated with aerospace continues to develop I am sure that Lancashire will play a major role, as well as benefiting from the advancements ahead.”

 As Chairman of Ways and Means, Mr Hoyle opened the Budget proceedings and Mr Evans, the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, later took over in the Chair during the Debate.

 Speaking before the Budget, Mr Evans said,

“It is a great honour to be in the Chair on such occasions. The Budget is something that affects every one of our constituents and I hope that we have a fair and reasoned debate on the measures that the Chancellor will later announce.”

Speaking at the reception, Mr Evans said, 

“The UK has had a diplomatic presence in Hanoi, for over 60 years. The UK/Vietnam bilateral relationship has developed greatly since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1973.  It now encompasses a wide-range of issues including a fast growing DFID development assistance programme. As a recently former member of the International Development Select Committee, this is matter very close to my heart and so I was delighted in January 2009 that the then Minister of State for Development and Trade, visited Hanoi, signing an agreement to increase DFID’s funding from £4m to £7m. 

“Recognising Vietnam’s strong commitment to poverty reduction and Vietnam’s continued needs, the UK through DFID has signed a ten year Development Partnership Arrangement with the Government of Vietnam committing at least £50 million per year from 2006 to 2010 to help Vietnam reduce poverty further.

“The first-ever visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the UK took place in March 2008, which was a great success and laid a firm foundation for further UK- Vietnam cooperation. I was part of a delegation from the House of Commons that met the Prime Minister and I was very impressed at his positive outlook.

“We have good roadmap and foundation for the future UK/Vietnam relationship and it is my great pleasure to welcome such a distinguished Vietnamese delegation to our Parliament.”

Nigel is joined by fellow Deputy Speakers Lindsay Hoyle MP (as Chairman of Ways and Means) and Dawn Primarolo MP (as Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means). Mr Evans now takes responsibility for chairing debates in the Chamber of the House in the absence of Speaker John Bercow. Although Mr Evans topped the poll, which utilised the Single Transferable Vote system, of first preference votes tradition holds that the Chairman of the Ways and Means must be drawn from the opposite side of the House to the Speaker.

Mr Evans said,

“I am delighted to have been given such support by colleagues from all sides of the House of Commons in order to be elected First Deputy Speaker. This is the first time the position has been elected and I am humbled by the trust my colleagues have placed in me. This is an enormous honour not just for me, but for the people of the Ribble Valley.

 “I very much look forward to the challenges of my new role and to serving the House for many years to come.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Evans said:

“I am delighted that the Group has been reconstituted and I am proud to serve as its Chairman. What we want to ensure is that the North West is not neglected or forgotten by the Government and we will seek to ensure that the concerns of our constituents and the region are actively promoted and properly heard.

“Our first meeting was productive and extremely positive. My colleagues and I are looking forward to working together in the best interests of the North West.”