Business of the House

Debate between Ian Mearns and Pete Wishart

Thursday 19th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab)]

I can tell the House that I have some devoted friends who are keen apiarists. We should not mock the beekeepers.

[Pete Wishart]

Blessed are the beekeepers. [Laughter.]

[Ian Mearns]

Just in case Back Benchers are wondering why the Backbench Business Committee has not given them time for a debate on 6 September, as the Leader of the House suggested, it is because on 6 September the business will be agreed by the Backbench Business Committee but determined by the Liaison Committee, so the debate is not in our gift.

I note that in the future business section of the Order Paper—I have written to the Leader of the House about this—the business in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 4 September, the day on which we return from the recess, is still shown as scheduled to begin at 9.30 am. That seems incongruous, and I hope it can be fixed. Members have to make travel arrangements before then.