Oral Answers to Questions

Hazel Blears Excerpts

Wednesday 14th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Points of order will follow the statement by the Secretary of State for International Development. If colleagues wish to wait, they can come in later. May I just appeal to colleagues to leave the Chamber quickly and quietly, so the House can hear the statement by the Secretary of State?

[Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Exceptionally, I will allow this point of order because I think it is time-sensitive.

[Hazel Blears]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am very grateful. Perhaps I should declare an interest, having nominated the hon. Member for New Forest East Dr Lewis (Dr Lewis) for the post of Chair of the Defence Select Committee. There is a range of excellent candidates and I am very concerned that the window for the election is extremely short—just two hours—and closes at 1 pm. I am worried that if Members turn out in great numbers, as I am sure they will between now and 1 pm, they will not be able to get in to vote. I encourage Members to go and vote for what is a very important position for the future of the Defence Committee.