Business without Debate

Kirsty Blackman Excerpts

Tuesday 21st September 2021 Commons Chamber

Question agreed to.

[Kirsty Blackman (Aberdeen North) (SNP)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. Will Members leaving the Chamber please show a little bit of courtesy to others by doing so quietly?

[Kirsty Blackman]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice because the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies), has just left the Chamber.

The hon. Member said that she had checked and that I had not visited my local jobcentre in recent times. In fact, my local jobcentre was closed from the start of the pandemic until 26 April this year, when it was only allowing entry to people who had been requested to attend. I was contacted by the jobcentre recently, we had a “back and forth”, and I asked if I could visit. The jobcentre refused me that opportunity, because it is only doing virtual tours at the moment. I would appreciate it if the hon. Member could confirm that I have not had an opportunity to visit my local jobcentre, but I will be taking part in a virtual tour and speaking to the manager on Monday.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I appreciate the hon. Lady’s point of order. However, she will appreciate that it is not a point of order for the Chair, but a continuation of the previous debate. I understand why she wants to set the record straight, and I am sure that the Minister will hear what she said in due course and will appreciate her contribution.