Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Neil Carmichael Excerpts
Thursday 27th January 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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My hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the House advises me that that company has today announced record profits. I am delighted that it has managed to overcome the rise in commodity prices. I do not know whether with a bit of ingenuity the hon. Gentleman could develop his point at greater length in the debate on the Scotland Bill later today.

Neil Carmichael Portrait Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)
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In the light of the situations in Tunisia and Egypt and the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria, would it be possible for the House to debate foreign policy on north Africa and the middle east?

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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I understand my hon. Friend’s request. He may have heard the Foreign Secretary speak on precisely those issues on the “Today” programme. We have no plans at the moment for such a debate. Perhaps the Backbench Business Committee could see whether, among all the bids it receives, there is a slot for a debate on foreign affairs in its future programme. The debate on Afghanistan in the autumn was greatly welcomed, and I hope that the Committee can find a slot for a debate on north Africa and the middle east. My hon. Friend might like to go along next Tuesday and make a bid for such a debate.