Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Andy Slaughter Excerpts
Thursday 12th September 2024

(1 day, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lucy Powell Portrait Lucy Powell
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The hon. Gentleman will know that in many cases statutory instruments do not require time on the Floor of the House, but as I have responsibility for triaging SIs, I will look at the progress with that and let him know in due course.

Andy Slaughter Portrait Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith and Chiswick) (Lab)
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May we have a debate on the importance of investigative and public interest journalism? The best journalists are an essential part of our democracy. I urge Members to look at “The Long Read” by Tom Burgis in today’s edition of The Guardian, “How oligarchs took on the UK fraud squad—and won”. May I pay tribute to Telegraph journalist David Knowles, creator of the brilliant “Ukraine: The Latest” podcast, who tragically died last weekend at the age of only 32? I am sure my right hon. Friend will join me in sending condolences to his family and friends.

Lucy Powell Portrait Lucy Powell
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on his election as a Select Committee Chair.

I certainly send my condolences to David’s family. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: investigative journalism is so important to our democracy and we should do whatever we can as a country to support it. I am sure that the Culture Secretary would be happy if he were to raise these matters with her in forthcoming oral questions.