We provide support to the Leader of the House of Commons, who is responsible for planning and supervising the government’s legislative programme (including the Queen’s speech), and managing government business within the House of Commons while also upholding the rights and interests of the backbench members of the House.
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
| Date | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 16 | Urgent Questions | Bullying and Harassment: Cox Report |
| Dec. 20 | Written Statements | Government’s Legislative Programme |
| Oct. 17 | Westminster Hall | Devolved Powers in Scotland |
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| May. 08 | Government introduces bill to tackle Palace of Westminster fire risk | News and Communications |
| Dec. 21 | Policy paper: Business Statements: Office of the Leader of the House of Commons, December 2018 | Policy paper |
| Dec. 04 | Roscoe Lecture Series - Andrea Leadsom | News and Communications |
Written Questions are submitted by Members of Parliament and the House of Lords to receive information or updates from a Department.
Departments are required to respond in a timely fashion and provide a response or requested information. Written Questions can compel detailed and specific information to be produced, and are frequently used as the source of news stories about the work of a Department.
| Date | Title | Questioner |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Oct 2019, 4:02 p.m. | Social Media: Harassment | Ian Austin |
|
Question To ask the Leader of the House, what assessment he has made of the effect on political debate and discussion of anonymous abuse and threats on social media. Answer (Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg) Democracy is a cornerstone of British values and key to a healthy democracy is having respectful, vibrant and open debate. However, this freedom cannot be an excuse to cause harm or spread hatred and a line is crossed when disagreement mutates into intimidation, violence or abuse. The Government recognises that rising levels of intimidation in public life can stop talented people, particularly women and those from minority backgrounds, from standing for public office. In April this year, the Government published the Online Harms White Paper, which sets out our plans for world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online. |
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