Business of the House

David Cairns Excerpts

Thursday 3rd February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Sir George Young]

I understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. There are consequences for the House and for Committees if we move the sitting time forward to 9 o’clock. I say to him what I said to the hon. Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan), which is that the Procedure Committee will hold an inquiry into sitting hours. It awaits, with mounting anticipation, the representations from my hon. Friend.

[David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab)]

Such is the enormous concern among those on both sides of the House about the Government’s plans to close many of our coastguard stations that yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate was completely oversubscribed and many hon. Members did not get the opportunity to speak. Given that, can the Leader of the House schedule a longer debate on these plans, which are greatly concerning many of our seaside communities. The plans were described to me by a shipping expert in the following terms:

“I honestly believe this is complete madness and will result in disaster”.

[Sir George Young]

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concern, which I know is shared. I cannot promise a debate in Government time, but perhaps he and other Members who are affected by the proposals could go to the salon of the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee to put in a bid for a debate, either in the House or in Westminster Hall.