Zero Hours Contracts Bill

Sheila Gilmore Excerpts

Friday 21st November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab)]

rose—

[Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab)]

rose—

[Philip Davies]

I give way to the hon. Lady first.

[Sheila Gilmore]

The public might be interested to know whether the hon. Gentleman favours or opposes zero-hours contracts. Throughout everything he has said, he has not made that clear. Since he is attempting to criticise certain councils, that might mean that he is against zero-hours contracts. Perhaps he would like to support the Bill promoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead (Ian Mearns) today?

[Philip Davies]

If Labour Members were not so enthusiastic in standing up to admit whether they employ anyone on a zero-hours contract or otherwise, I might get around to starting my speech. If I were able to do so, we might get into the nitty-gritty of the debate, but I am afraid that all of my time thus far has been taken up in dealing with excitable Labour Members which means that we cannot have the debate that the hon. Lady wants.