Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Nick Smith Excerpts
Thursday 22nd February 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I share the hon. Lady’s gratitude to Helen & Douglas House, which delivers amazing end-of-life care not just to her constituents, but to some of mine, and I am a huge enthusiast for the hospice movement. The hon. Lady will be aware that local NHS commissioners determine the number of NHS funded hospices in their area, but I would like to reassure her that NHS England awarded £11 million for children’s hospices through the children’s hospice grant in 2017-18. She is right to raise this case, and she may well want to seek an Adjournment debate to discuss with a Minister what more can be done.

Nick Smith Portrait Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
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Why are the Government dodging the timetabling of Opposition day debates?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I just do not accept that the Government are dodging anything. Ever since I became Leader of the House of Commons following the general election, we have been absolutely clear that we are providing exactly the right and appropriate number of Opposition days, in accordance with the Standing Orders. We are continuing to do that, and we will continue to abide by the conventions and the Standing Orders of this House.