Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Bone Excerpts
Thursday 22nd October 2015

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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Does the Minister welcome the National Football League establishing three international games at Wembley this year, and would she welcome a franchise based in London?

Tracey Crouch Portrait Tracey Crouch
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As a fan of American football—the Green Bay Packers are doing incredibly well at the moment in the NFL—I welcome more American football, and I look forward to seeing more games here in London.

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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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As I explained at length in the Westminster Hall debate last week, one of our predecessors, the noble Lord Lansley set our four tests. We have yet to receive a recommendation or create a proposal that can pass the four tests that we believe necessary for the creation of a House business committee.

Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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I will take that as a no—that the Minister will not bring forward a motion on this matter. The Backbench Business Committee, however, has put down such a motion and Members will have the opportunity in a week’s time to vote on whether they want to discuss proposals for a House business committee. Does the Minister agree that that is an excellent way forward?

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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My hon. Friend is a member of the Backbench Business Committee, and I know he has an interest in this issue. He displayed his knowledge of Standing Orders in Westminster Hall last week, and I believe he advised the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen) to contest the decision. Of course, that situation has arisen in this Session because we used to adjourn in Westminster Hall but it now considers motions. The Backbench Business Committee has decided that this is a good use of parliamentary time next Thursday—it is a judgment that it has made.