Business of the House

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I thank the Leader of the House very much for that business. As the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and others said yesterday, in this week of the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, let us never forget its victims, including 116 children, and its terrible cost to their families and their community.

On a far happier note, the House will shortly come together in celebration of the Clerk on his retirement, but let me pay a personal tribute to Tom now for his unfailing genius, sense of service and courtesy to the House, and the assistance he has given us all as Members over 30 years. As a jobbing trumpeter, coming very much from the opposite end of the quality spectrum, I can testify that Tom is a superb jazz pianist. Like any great jazzer, he has a remarkable ability to improvise under pressure while never losing sight of the underlying material—as in the gig, so at the Table. That is no small achievement with 650 would-be Miles Davises all playing in different keys.

[Mr Speaker]

And some are more in tune than others.

[Jesse Norman]

Some are more in tune than others, Mr Speaker. Among Tom’s heroes is Art Tatum, who was famous for taking a familiar tune and turning it into something almost unrecognisable. Tom has often performed the reverse feat with Members’ legislative amendments: taking something almost unrecognisable and turning it into something more familiar.

Mr Speaker, I hope that you and the Leader of the House will forgive another toot from me on my constituency trumpet. This week has seen the publication of a brilliantly positive new report by Policy Exchange on our new engineering university in Hereford, NMITE—the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering. Among other things, the report highlights that, thanks to the university’s accelerated degrees, it offers at least 20% better value for money for students than elsewhere. For local students, it is almost half the cost of an equivalent chartered engineering degree anywhere else.

The report goes further—I think this is a matter of general interest to the House—by identifying 57 suitable towns and cities across the UK, including Hartlepool, Grimsby, Barnsley, Burnley and Scunthorpe in the north alone, in which the model could be rolled out across the country. I would be delighted to discuss with colleagues how we could do so with any areas and constituencies that may be interested.

I end, if I may, on a more serious note. In May 2024, Lord Walney’s report, “Protecting our Democracy from Coercion”, made more than 40 recommendations to tackle political intimidation and disruptive extremism. More than two years into their term of office, this Government have yet to respond fully; indeed, Ministers abolished Lord Walney’s position last year. When they did so, they promised that his report would continue to shape the Government’s approach to political violence, yet they rejected key recommendations in passing the Crime and Policing Act 2026, including stronger powers to prevent particularly harmful marches. They did that despite very strong appeals from Jewish community groups facing the present rising tide of antisemitism—groups that are still more concerned, be it said, after the Green party’s appalling resolution that Zionism is racism.

The threat is clear, and I know that this is an issue of particular concern to you, Mr Speaker, on behalf of all of us. Ninety-six per cent of Members of Parliament responding to the Speaker’s Conference in 2025 reported harassment, intimidation or abuse. It is a matter of public record that, last September, arson destroyed the constituency office of one of our colleagues, and that another and their son received death threats. Peaceful protest is fundamental to democracy, of course, but so is the right of every person to live free from intimidation, and the right of every elected representative and their staff to be able to serve without intimidation, abuse or coercion.

Will the Leader of the House ask the Home Secretary to publish a full, recommendation-by-recommendation, response to Lord Walney’s report, and will he arrange a debate in Government time on that response so that the House can collectively scrutinise what the Government are doing and propose to do to meet these dreadful threats?

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

As I said, the issue of parking has been raised with me many times in these sessions. NHS trusts are responsible for car parking charges and are expected to follow the NHS car parking guidance. As my hon. Friend rightly identifies, some hospitals do use private companies, and there is a new code of practice. I hope that her trust has heard her concerns today and that other trusts will look at this, to ensure that as the new code of practice comes in, they are fulfilling their obligations.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

I join the Leader of the House in his reflection on the Aberfan disaster. Our thoughts are with all those affected and, indeed, the whole community.

It was deeply concerning to hear a US envoy last night describe Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian”, as Russia continued to bomb Ukraine. I sincerely hope that the Government will move quickly to condemn those comments and will make time to progress the Russian Frozen Assets (Seizure and Aid to Ukraine) Bill, brought forward by my hon. Friend the Member for Bicester and Woodstock (Calum Miller).

Closer to home, the NHS Alliance sparked a row among health professionals this week when it said that up to 20 maternity units may have to close in England. The alliance made the case that the shortage of doctors and the increase in C-sections means that consolidation will be necessary to keep mothers and babies safe, but obstetricians and midwives are saying that having maternity services close to home is critical and that workforce issues must be addressed in a different way.

In my constituency of Carshalton and Wallington, the women’s health unit, including the maternity unit, is facing closure not due to clinical reasons but because of ageing pipework and issues with the water quality. That is particularly stinging for our local community because we have known about issues with the building for years, and the promise of a new building keeps being delayed. Can the Leader of the House organise for a debate on the future of maternity services in this country? I am aware that there is an Adjournment debate on this issue today, but that does not give MPs across the House an opportunity to explore this issue in full, so I hope he will make Government time to have this debate in full.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

This is an issue that a number of Members have raised from time to time, and I understand their concern and the concern of constituents where buildings blight local communities. That is why, in some areas, we are making sure that communities not only have the resources but are able to make decisions themselves about what to do with such buildings. I hope the owner of the building has heard what my hon. Friend has said today and gets on and does something about it. If my hon. Friend wishes to expand on the points that he wishes to raise, a Westminster Hall or Adjournment debate would give him ample opportunity.

[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.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

The work of Select Committees is extremely important, as I have said on many occasions, and the scrutiny of Ministers is an essential part of that process. The right hon. Lady is an experienced Chair and represents her Committee extraordinarily well, but I know that the Home Secretary also takes her accountability to Parliament seriously. I am aware that she has appeared before the Home Affairs Committee before—the last date might have been on 15 September—but I have no doubt that she, her office and her diary secretary will want to look at a further date with the Committee in the not-too-distant-future.

[Mr Speaker]

As I have been slightly drawn into this, may I back up the Home Affairs Committee Chair’s comments to the Leader of the House? I think there must be a problem with the diary secretary because I cannot get a meeting either—I have requested one because I have responsibility for Members’ security—so I understand that frustration. I am sure that the message will have gone back to the Department, and I hope that we can find some dates that will accommodate the Chair of the Committee and hopefully the Speaker as well.

[Samantha Niblett (South Derbyshire) (Lab)]

At just 19 years old, Hannah in my constituency was diagnosed with a brain tumour and given 14 months to live, but she is now 23 and defying all the odds. She won the east midlands round of the Pride of Britain awards, which took place this week and airs on ITV1 and ITVX this evening. She has turned the most incredible adversity into positive action for other people by creating Hannah’s Hope, which is a sanctuary and a place for families going through similar struggles to have a bit of respite. Will the Leader of the House join me in celebrating Hannah and her incredible mum, Gail, in her new venture? H for Hope is about creating a community for teenagers going through similar experiences of cancer to come together.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

I have said before that sports clubs, local communities and volunteering are the heartbeat of our local communities. At the risk of offending supporters of the other team, I wish Bridlington Town the very best in the first round of the FA trophy. You never know, Mr Speaker: this may be one of those magical years when a non-league team manages to get to the FA cup final, which I will go to with the hon. Gentleman to watch Bridlington play against Sunderland.

[Mr Speaker]

Come on, Brid!

[Gordon McKee (Glasgow South) (Lab)]

Last Sunday, hundreds of people came together in Queen’s park in my constituency for Moira’s Run, which is run every year to mark the tragic murder of Moira Jones in the park in 2008. The event raised thousands of pounds for the victims of crime. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating all those who took part, and in recognising the work of the Moira Fund and Victim Support Scotland?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Just to help everybody, I am aiming to finish this at 12 noon, because the business today is very important. It would be useful if Members helped each other. Shockat Adam will be a great example.

[Shockat Adam (Leicester South) (Ind)]

This half-term, the children of Leicester South should be enjoying their local playgrounds, yet many are not fit for purpose. In the Highfields area, Sherrard Road play area has been closed for almost three years amid a ding-dong between the local council and Severn Trent Water, and many other areas are funding their local play area themselves. Will the Leader of the House schedule a debate on playground funding?

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

I call Danny Beales to ask the final question.

[Danny Beales (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Lab)]

It is a tough time for motorists, which is why it is particularly galling that tonight Hillingdon council will meet to decide whether to increase parking charges by more than 70%. It is the second rise in just a year. Does the Leader of the House agree that that is bad for motorists and for businesses? Can we have a debate in this House to discuss what more we can all do to support motorists at this difficult time?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend, as ever, raises an important matter. As I set out at the beginning of these business questions, parking is an issue that matters to our constituents. It is disappointing, frankly, to hear of discussions and decisions that may well be taken or confirmed by his Conservative-run council. It is a matter for local authorities, but my hon. Friend has put his concerns on behalf of his residents on the record today, and I hope that Hillingdon council will have heard him loud and clear.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The names of those Members who did not get in have been taken for next week, when I expect to prioritise them.