Business of the House

Bob Blackman Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

I thank the Leader of the House for announcing the business. Clearly, apart from Monday, Backbench business will be coming up in the Chamber only after we come back from the recess. If we are granted time on Thursday 12 November, we will have Select Committee statements from the Health and Social Care Committee and the Defence Committee, followed by a debate on the 110th anniversary of the battle of the Somme, followed by a debate on the Nolan principles, which many people have asked for.

In Westminster Hall on Tuesday 27 October, there will be a debate on recognising the production and serving of cask ale as intangible cultural heritage. On Thursday 29 October, there will be a debate on mandatory safeguarded 24/7 helipads at major trauma centres, followed by a debate on the role and effectiveness of Ofcom. On Tuesday 3 November, there will be a debate on the findings of the Milburn review. When we come back after the recess, on Tuesday 10 November, there will be a debate on antisocial behaviour. I remind Members that because the House will be sitting Monday hours on that day, that debate will start at 11.30 am and not 9.30 am as usual.

May I gently nudge the Leader of the House? We are still awaiting the extra Labour member of the Backbench Business Committee. One of the Government members is on long-term deployment in our forces, and another colleague had a terrible accident and therefore is on crutches and finds it difficult to get the meetings, so we have challenges making sure we are quorate to consider the business.

The situation in Nepal continues to be catastrophic. Often, when there is a disaster such as flooding, everyone says, “We must do something,” and then nothing else happens. I pay tribute to Benji and Nic Gould, two boys aged 11 and nine, who at the HarroWall climbing centre climbed the equivalent of going to Everest base camp and raised £3,500 for charity. I think we should congratulate them—I am sure the Leader of the House will join me in doing so—and also say that we need to continue to our work to assist the great people of Nepal.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

On the matter of the extra Labour Backbench Business Committee member, it is good that the hon. Gentleman has nudged me. I recommit to doing something about it. He will understand that we have just had a major reshuffle, so we are trying to fill a number of vacancies. We are making progress on that, but it is no excuse for not having the extra person on his Committee; it is just an explanation of where we were. I give him my word that I will go away and have a look at that.

I should have started by saying thank you to the hon. Gentleman and the Committee for their work. I will confirm the future business as soon as possible—I try to give as much forward notice as possible. I particularly note the possible debate on the battle of the Somme, which I understand is timely for many Members. My relative, Sergeant Matthew Brown of the Durham Light Infantry, fought and died in the battle of the Somme—oddly enough almost to the day on which the debate might well be scheduled. I am sure other Members from across the House will want to have an opportunity to reflect on that battle.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise the situation in Nepal. We announced £5 million in humanitarian assistance to support immediate relief efforts, including helping those affected by the devastating floods. We are considering how our expertise in these matters can support Nepal’s longer-term recovery, reconstruction and resilience. I join him, and I am sure other Members, in congratulating the fantastic efforts of Benji and Nic. We thank them for their fundraising for that very good cause.