Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 2nd November 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I was not aware of the situation that the hon. Gentleman highlights, but I absolutely agree that it is unacceptable to have under-utilised places and then to require agency staff to be brought in, potentially at greater expense to the taxpayer. I encourage the hon. Gentleman to take the matter up directly with Ministers, who I am sure will be keen to hear from him.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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Last Thursday, the Prime Minister told a journalist from the Eastern Daily Press that the Department of Health would no longer be the sponsoring body for the contaminated blood inquiry. We have not had a statement to the House—oral or written—to confirm that change, so is there anything that the Government would like to tell us this morning?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I again commend the hon. Lady for her work on this tragic issue. Many people have suffered as a result of the contaminated blood tragedy. I will look into this on her behalf, but I do not currently have the answer to her specific question.