Points of Order

Debate between Jo Cox and John Bercow

Tuesday 8th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I think that is helpful and we will consider that matter closed.

[Jo Cox (Batley and Spen) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During last December’s debate on Syria, the Prime Minister made a commitment to provide quarterly progress reports to the House, and during last Thursday’s business questions, the Leader of the House said

“that there will be a further statement shortly on matters in Syria.”—[Official Report, 3 March 2016; Vol. 606, c. 1105.]

Could you offer me any guidance, Mr Speaker, on how I can encourage the Government to provide a clear indication of when that update will take place, and on how I can persuade Ministers that it would be beneficial for the Prime Minister himself to report back to Members?

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Lady for giving me notice of her point of order. I understand that the Government have given an undertaking that they will provide quarterly progress reports on Syria to the House. It is for the Government to determine the appropriate form of those reports and, indeed, which Minister should make them. That cannot fall to the Chair. However, if the hon. Lady is dissatisfied with the form or content of the updates, there are a range of opportunities open to her for pressing the Government for more information. I would add that, similarly, if the statement is not forthcoming with the speed that the hon. Lady thinks proper, she will also be aware of the mechanisms that she can deploy to try to procure the presence of a Minister, possibly even the Prime Minister. We shall await events with interest.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Cox and John Bercow

Monday 29th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Alex Cunningham. Not here.

[Jo Cox (Batley and Spen) (Lab)]

My constituent, Chris Hartley, was wounded while serving with our armed forces in Sierra Leone in 2000 when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded next to him, resulting in the loss of his right leg above the knee. He is unable to get funding or NHS support for a life-changing operation that would allow him to work and to restore some of the pride that he had before his injury. Will the Minister convene a meeting with a colleague from the Department of Health and me to explore what can be done to help my constituent who gave so much in the service to this country?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jo Cox and John Bercow

Tuesday 1st December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman is a very illustrious fellow and a distinguished philosopher, but for the purposes of this question he is on the wrong side of the Pennines.

[Jo Cox (Batley and Spen) (Lab)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to enable councils to retain receipts from business rates.