Business of the House

Lord Hanson of Flint Excerpts

Thursday 21st March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Andrea Leadsom]

I totally share the hon. Gentleman’s desire to make sure that people are given as much notice as possible, but equally to make sure that we do not stand people up unnecessarily. Clearly, there is a fine balance between me announcing that we are going to sit 24/7 for the next three months, just in case, versus me coming back with an announcement as soon as possible should it be necessary. Of course, there would be usual-channels discussions should it be necessary to sit, for example, next Friday. However, I do take his point very seriously. We always seek to ensure that we take full account of the impact on the staff of this place—those who support Members of Parliament but also those who support the smooth running of the House.

[David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab)]

I hope that the Leader of the House can help me with a debate on the question of Government consultations. The Home Office issued a consultation on air rifle misuse in October 2017. It closed in February 2018. In the answer to a parliamentary question from me this week, I found that there is still no date for the publication of a Government response to that consultation. I have constituents who have lost people due to the misuse of airguns, and they just want to know what is the Government’s view. Can we have a debate on what is an acceptable period between the end of a consultation to the Government responding to it?

[Andrea Leadsom]

I am very sympathetic to the right hon. Gentleman’s request. If he wants to write to me after the business question, I can ask the Department on his behalf. He will be aware that we have Home Office questions on 1 April, and he could equally raise it then, should he wish to do so.