Private Members’ Bills Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Private Members’ Bills

Margaret Ferrier Excerpts
Tuesday 25th October 2016

(7 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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The reason we are introducing this legislation is that it was a Conservative manifesto commitment.

Margaret Ferrier Portrait Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)
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SNP Members regard Friday as an extremely important opportunity to work in our constituencies. It is, therefore, not only frustrating for us, but incredibly disrespectful to our constituents, when private Members’ Bills are talked out. Will the Government look seriously at the report’s recommendations, in particular those that tackle the issue of filibustering?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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No complaint was made about filibustering during the debate on Friday. Members on both sides of the House took part, and my hon. Friend the Minister spoke for a perfectly reasonable length of time and took seven different interventions during the course of his speech. The hon. Lady ought to reflect on that and welcome what the Government have done, which is provide a better, surer course of action than that proposed by her party.