Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

John Bercow Excerpts
Thursday 18th July 2013

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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None Portrait Several hon. Members
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rose—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. As usual, I am keen to accommodate the interests of hon. and right hon. Members, but may I remind the House that we have two statements to follow from Chairs of Select Committees, and thereafter two well subscribed debates scheduled to take place under the auspices of the Backbench Business Committee? That means there is a premium now on saving time. We require economy from Back and Front Benchers alike, first to be exemplified, I hope, by Mr Robert Halfon.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is now 13 months since the brutal murder of my constituent Eystna Blunnie, and her unborn daughter, who died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. Domestic violence continues to be a worrying issue in Essex, with a 14% increase in prosecutions in 2011-12. The Crown Prosecution Service has acknowledged that it should have done more in this case. May we have an urgent debate on domestic violence to stop such tragedies ever happening again?

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Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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Before I even have a chance to say anything—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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He is incorrigible.

Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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Yes, Mr Speaker, the hon. Gentleman is incorrigible.

I entirely agree with the hon. Lady: I think it is entirely reprehensible. We may not be able to have a debate about it, but she has raised the issue and she is right to do so.