Business of the House

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 15th December 2011

(12 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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I think I am right in saying that there was an exchange on metal theft during Home Office questions on Monday. I can confirm that we are considering a range of measures, which include banning cash payments, supporting scrap metal dealers in identifying stolen metal and seeing how we can make it more difficult to steal such types of metals. We are also working with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the British Transport police have set up a new unit, but I will pass on my hon. Friend’s suggestion that we reconsider the private Member’s Bill to see whether we can make swift progress.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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Will the Leader of the House explain to me why the House is returning on Tuesday 10 January? It seems to me that Monday 9 January is the day that we should come back.

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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The House agreed to come back on 10 January in a motion that was put to the House last month. That date has been agreed. The House will still be sitting more days than in the first two years of the preceding Parliament, so there can be no suggestion that we are slacking.