Business without Debate

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Jonathan Reynolds

Wednesday 15th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Did I see a point of order anywhere in the House? No, I have not as yet seen a point of order, but—

[Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. As there is an opportunity for a point of order, would it be possible to place on the record, on behalf of all colleagues, our best wishes to all the staff of the House for Christmas? We thank them for their tremendous service throughout the year in looking after us, which I know is appreciated by all colleagues. This is a useful opportunity to put that on the record.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that point of order. It is not often that we have time to stop for a moment and think about all the people who work so hard all through the year to help and support us in the work that we do here in the Chamber, in Committees and in other duties around this wonderful Palace of Westminster.

What the people who elect us see is what happens in this Chamber, and it is good to have the opportunity to tell them that that is the tip of the iceberg. In fact, an enormous amount of work goes on to support what happens in this Chamber. Every motion that comes before this House has taken hours and hours of preparation, and every consequence of the decisions made in this Chamber takes days and weeks of implementation.

I would particularly like to thank the Clerks, who keep us on the straight and narrow. No matter what is happening in the outside world and no matter what is happening around the rest of Westminster, we make sure that what happens here in the Chamber is done in good order and properly. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order, and I particularly use this opportunity to thank those who work so hard to help us.