Business without Debate Debate

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Business without Debate

Mike Penning Excerpts
Tuesday 17th July 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We will get on to that debate. I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman has said. It is a very important debate and it will run fully, but I must take points of order if there are such.

Mike Penning Portrait Sir Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con)
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On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman that we need to get on to talk about cystic fibrosis, but we will have time and we shall do that. Last week, I raised with you the fact that the underground car park fire exits were shut, but they were still shown as being for use in the event of a fire. You kindly offered to have a stroll round with me to see whether or not they were still shut. This morning, I discovered that they were open and they are safe, but it seems ridiculous that we have to raise points of order in this House to get this place safe for our staff, members of the public and, of course, our colleagues.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Conversations were had after the right hon. Gentleman’s point of order, but I accept his point that it should not be necessary for such a matter to be raised in the Chamber in order for appropriate remedial action to be taken. Nevertheless, if the resolution of the matter has brought a smile to the face of the right hon. Gentleman, that is a source of gratification to the House.

Mike Penning Portrait Sir Mike Penning
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It is quite serious—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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It is a serious matter, but it is nevertheless better if the right hon. Gentleman is smiling than if he is not.

Mike Penning Portrait Sir Mike Penning
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I am not.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Oh, he is not. If he does not wish to smile, there is nothing I can do about that matter. We will leave that for now. If there are no further points of order, perhaps we can proceed with petitions. The House will be pleased to know that it can have a change of voice in the Chair. Ah, it is very good to see the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron).