Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Blomfield Excerpts

Monday 29th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Heath]

I am sure, Mr Speaker, that it would be invidious to discuss the attendance record of any individual Member. It does worry me, I have to say, if some Members have problems reconciling the competing pressures of writing books and making well-paid speeches with their duties in this House. However, I hope that in the context of the present economic situation, those with particular experience of, say, ending boom and bust will feel able to contribute to our debates.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

5. What recent discussions he has had on the adequacy of the provisions in Standing Orders for debates on the Floor of the House on instruments subject to affirmative resolution.

[Mr Heath]

Standing Order No. 118 provides that an instrument subject to affirmative resolution shall not be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee if a Minister has given notice of a motion to that effect. I believe that this is adequate to ensure that an instrument can be debated on the Floor of the House when there is agreement to do so.

[Paul Blomfield]

I thank the Deputy Leader of the House for his answer. Does he agree, however, that we will putting the cart before the horse if we debate the statutory instrument on university funding before the publication of the Government’s White Paper on higher education, simply to alleviate the discomfort of Liberal Democrat MPs?

[Mr Heath]

That puts me in some difficulty, because I understood that the Opposition had tabled a motion on this very subject for next week, before the White Paper is published, so Opposition Front Benchers obviously do not agree with the hon. Gentleman.