Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts
Thursday 14th June 2012

(12 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Heath Portrait Mr Heath
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As the hon. Gentleman probably knows, the Procedure Committee is now completing and in the very late stages of production of a report on the parliamentary calendar. We would prefer to wait and see what suggestions the Procedure Committee makes rather than taking a unilateral view on what is best for the House.

Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
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What is the Government’s analysis of the effect of adopting the recommendations in the Wright Committee report? I understand that the creation of the Backbench Business Committee was blocked by the previous Government.

David Heath Portrait Mr Heath
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It was indeed; there was no progress whatever under the previous Government on this matter. I am very proud of the fact that we moved quickly to establish the Backbench Business Committee. Speaking personally, I think it has been a great success. It is something that the House should have done some time ago. I look forward to building on it in the years to come, and I look forward to the review of the Backbench Business Committee’s work, which will give us an indication of how the House views its performance more widely.