By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. The Daily Mail this morning reports on the 118 Conservative MPs who have written to constituents indicating their opposition to gay marriage proposals. The Mail says "Their opposition has been expressed in letters and emails sent to constituents who have contacted them with their own concerns", and points out that […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter In the Commons yesterday, a debate was held on whether to suspend Sunday trading restrictions for the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. The Bill passed through the House, with only extremely minor rebellion from the Tory benches. This was surprising because there was some consternation felt by […]
Work and Pensions questions came around again yesterday. Shadow Work and Pensions Minister Andrew Selous called for reform of the local housing allowance: "It is now clear from reports across the country that not only tenants but charities helping the homeless are being very poorly served by the local housing allowance, so will the Minister agree […]
There were questions to Justice ministers yesterday. These are the highlights. Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride raised the thorny issue of the state funding of political parties: "Does the Secretary of State agree that there is a huge conundrum when it comes to party political funding? The public want democracy, but it is expensive. They do […]
These days questions to the Minister for the Olympics immediately follow DCMS questions. Mark Harper and Humfrey Malins both asked about shooting: "Mr. Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con): What her latest estimate is of expenditure on the London 2012 Olympics, and if she will make a statement. [269375] The Minister for the Olympics (Tessa […]
Yesterday the House of Commons had Work and Pensions questions. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans asked what can be done to make parents take responsibility for their children: "Poverty for youngsters is often reinforced when a married couple separates by a missing parent who refuses to take their responsibility. The Child Support Agency is often […]
Here is the latest batch of interesting written answers from the House of Commons. Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions Andrew Selous had a written reminder that ministers are supposed to make big announcements to Parliament first when it is in session – a rule that they in fact breach on a spectacularly frequent basis: […]
There are a number of intriguing written answers in the latest edition of Hansard. Shoreham & East Worthing MP (and Shadow Minister for Children) Tim Loughton uncovered some diplomatic buckpassing by the Government, through a question to the Olympics Minister: "To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will invite the Dalai Lama to […]
The House of Commons was dominated by the Pre-Budget Report yesterday, which has been well reported elsewhere on ConservativeHome. But there was also an oral questions session on Work and Pensions. David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, exposed a worrying fact – that far too many gas fitters are not properly qualified: "Mr. David […]
At Business Questions in the Commons yesterday a succession of Conservative MPs exposed the failure of ministers to answer their questions in a timely way. Andrew Selous MP: "What guidance is in place on acceptable response times for Ministers to reply to hon. Members’ letters?" Chris Bryant MP, The Deputy Leader of the House of […]