Business of the House

Natascha Engel Excerpts

Thursday 13th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lansley]

The Father of the House, once again, rightly and appropriately speaks on behalf of us all.

[Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab)]

May I add my voice to those who support the statement and campaign of the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster? The campaigners used the then-new e-petitions system to take their campaign to the House so that Members could bring forward yesterday’s statement. That points out the importance of e-petitions to the House.

I welcome the announcement that the 10,000-signature threshold will now trigger a response from the Government. Will the Leader of the House work with the Backbench Business Committee to ensure that every single instigator and signatory of an e-petition will eventually get some kind of response from us?

[Mr Lansley]

I enjoyed listening to the work of the Backbench Business Committee this week. I intend to work with the hon. Lady and Members across the House, including my colleagues in the Government, to ensure that those who give their time and energy to bringing issues before the House feel that they are responded to properly and timeously.