Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Valerie Vaz Excerpts
Thursday 13th October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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My hon. Friend might catch your eye, Mr Speaker, a week today during Department of Energy and Climate Change questions, but in the meantime I will alert the Secretary of State and ask him to write to my hon. Friend.

Valerie Vaz Portrait Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)
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The Leader of the House will be aware of the recent report showing that 20% of FTSE 100 companies do not have any women on their board and that it will take 20 years before one in three executives are women, so may we have an urgent debate to show everyone outside that this House believes in positive action and not just positive words?

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a speech about this a few days ago, urging the FTSE companies to do even better. As for a debate, the hon. Lady may wish to raise the matter with the Backbench Business Committee or, indeed, to apply to you, Mr Speaker, for a debate in Westminster Hall, so that we can have a proper discussion of this important issue.