Monday 23rd July 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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My hon. Friend gives good advice that I am sure my colleagues in the Whips Office will wish to follow.

Alison Thewliss Portrait Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
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If the Government are prepared to take advantage of pregnant women and women who have recently had babies, surely we can have very little trust in their integrity. Would a good way to restore integrity not be to circulate something before the recess so that we can have a votable motion when we come back in September to allow baby leave and proxy voting to go ahead?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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As I have repeatedly said, what happened last week was a genuine error. It ought not to have happened. The Whips Office is taking steps through its internal procedures to try to prevent a repetition, and the Leader of the House is eager to talk to Members from all parties in the House about the way forward to address the points the hon. Lady refers to.