Business of the House

Bob Blackman Excerpts

Thursday 14th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank my hon. Friend for doing that important work. It is vital that we raise awareness of pension credit and all the support it can bring to those who are eligible not only through the winter fuel allowance but in several other areas. It can make many eligible pensioners thousands of pounds a year better off. I fully support her endeavours. That is something that the Government have been doing nationally as well.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

I am grateful to the Leader of the House for announcing the first Backbench Business of the Session for next week. For the following week, we have offered a debate on the international status of Taiwan—we hope that will take place—and a debate on freedom of religion in Pakistan. Of course, this afternoon in Westminster Hall we have our first allocated debate, on respiratory health, and who better to lead that than the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon)?

The Leader of the House mentioned tackling Islamophobia and Islamophobia Awareness Month. We had an application on that and have offered its sponsor a debate next week, but we are yet to hear whether they wish to take that up.

We are developing a queue of debates for the Chamber and Westminster Hall. I urge the Leader of the House to announce business for Westminster Hall when she announces business in future so that we can up its status.

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Bob Blackman]

Just wait a minute. [Laughter.]

This morning, Historic England released a report saying that 599 buildings in London are in danger. That does not cover the rest of the country, but it includes this place. I know that there is a long-term plan to look at what we will do about this place, but will the Leader of the House arrange for a statement to be made by the appropriate Minister on the progress made and how we can bring forward the decision to be made about the place in which we work?

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Member for that. Judging by the themes of the early Backbench Business debates that he has granted for the Chamber and in Westminster Hall, it seems as if the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) was at the front of the queue many times! I am sure that will continue, but I encourage other Members to apply for Backbench Business debates too, as they are a really good way of raising important topics on the Floor of the House.

On restoration and renewal, the hon. Gentleman will know that some of that falls on my shoulders and those of my colleagues, including the new shadow Leader of the House, who I am sure will bring much to the table. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that further information will come to the House in the new year, and it will be for the House to decide on the way forward, based on those business plans.