PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Points of Order - 6 July 2021 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Mark Tami, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Mark Tami
Alyn and Deeside
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Friday, the Secretary of State for International Trade visited Airbus at Broughton in my seat. Her office gave me 14 minutes’ notice before the meeting was due to take place—14 minutes. What can you advise us to do to ensure that the rules that apply to the rest of us also apply to Government Ministers?
00:07:07
Dame Eleanor Laing
Madam Deputy Speaker
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving me notice that he intended to raise this point of order. I can say very safely and in a straightforward way that such behaviour by a Minister or, indeed, any Member is wrong —quite simply wrong.
As things have not been operating normally here this last year and a bit, Members may not be aware that there is a little booklet called “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons”, and I seriously advise everybody to look at it. It is not some ancient tome hidden away in the Library about how things worked in this ancient Parliament; it is bang up to date. It says quite clearly that as a matter of courtesy between one Member and another:
“You should notify colleagues whenever…you intend to visit a colleague’s constituency (except on purely private visits).”
I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is certain that this was not a private visit.
As things have not been operating normally here this last year and a bit, Members may not be aware that there is a little booklet called “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons”, and I seriously advise everybody to look at it. It is not some ancient tome hidden away in the Library about how things worked in this ancient Parliament; it is bang up to date. It says quite clearly that as a matter of courtesy between one Member and another:
“You should notify colleagues whenever…you intend to visit a colleague’s constituency (except on purely private visits).”
I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is certain that this was not a private visit.
Mark Tami
indicated assent.
Madam Deputy Speaker
I take it that the right hon. Gentleman has informed the right hon. Lady to whom he refers that he intended to raise this point of order.
Mark Tami
I have.
00:07:46
Madam Deputy Speaker
Excellent. Then the right hon. Lady will be aware of the situation. I simply say to all Members that it says in this booklet—and Mr Speaker takes this very seriously—that failing to inform colleagues of an intention to visit their constituency
“is regarded…as very discourteous.”
That is what I can say to the right hon. Gentleman now: it is discourteous for the Minister to behave in this fashion, and I am quite sure that an apology will be forthcoming.
“is regarded…as very discourteous.”
That is what I can say to the right hon. Gentleman now: it is discourteous for the Minister to behave in this fashion, and I am quite sure that an apology will be forthcoming.
Stephanie Peacock
Barnsley East
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Yesterday, the Government rejected the cross-party proposals from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee about the mineworkers’ pension scheme. Can I ask through you whether the Government will come to this Chamber and give a statement to explain their disgraceful decision to continue to take billions of pounds from the pockets of retired miners?
Madam Deputy Speaker
I thank the hon. Lady for her point of order, and for telling me that she intended to raise this point of order. I am not at all surprised, as I have heard her speak many times about this subject with passion in this Chamber. The hon. Lady will know, of course, that the decision about whether Ministers come to the House to make an announcement or to respond to a report is not a matter for the Chair, but I can advise her that there are various ways in which, as the Table Office will advise her, she may endeavour to bring a Minister to the Chamber to answer the questions that clearly to her and her constituents are important questions.
I will now suspend the House for three minutes so that arrangements can be made for the next item of business.
I will now suspend the House for three minutes so that arrangements can be made for the next item of business.
Sitting suspended.
On resuming—
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Sajid Javid, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Michael Gove, Secretary Thérèse Coffey, Secretary Robert Jenrick, Secretary Oliver Dowden and Edward Argar presented a Bill to make provision about health and social care.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 140) with explanatory notes (Bill 140-EN).
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Priti Patel, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Dominic Raab, Secretary Robert Buckland and Chris Philp presented a Bill to make provision about nationality, asylum and immigration; to make provision about victims of slavery or human trafficking; to provide a power to Tribunals to charge participants where their behaviour has wasted the Tribunal’s resources; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 141) with explanatory notes (Bill 141-EN).
On resuming—
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Sajid Javid, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Michael Gove, Secretary Thérèse Coffey, Secretary Robert Jenrick, Secretary Oliver Dowden and Edward Argar presented a Bill to make provision about health and social care.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 140) with explanatory notes (Bill 140-EN).
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Priti Patel, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Dominic Raab, Secretary Robert Buckland and Chris Philp presented a Bill to make provision about nationality, asylum and immigration; to make provision about victims of slavery or human trafficking; to provide a power to Tribunals to charge participants where their behaviour has wasted the Tribunal’s resources; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 141) with explanatory notes (Bill 141-EN).
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