Business of the House

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

May I just ask the hon. Lady whether she has been here throughout?

[Miss McIntosh]

I slipped out to get a report, Mr Speaker, but I was here at the beginning.

[Mr Speaker]

We cannot have Members slipping out, but on this occasion we will accommodate the hon. Lady, who is an illustrious denizen of the House.

[Miss McIntosh]

The report is pertinent to my request, but I will take note and behave better in future, Mr Speaker.

Will my right hon. Friend find Government time to debate the recent annual report from the Government chief scientific adviser, “Innovation: managing risk, not avoiding it”, which concludes that, like thalidomide and asbestos, fracking could carry unforeseen risks? Such a profound allegation should be considered in Government time before any fracking applications are considered locally.