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Business of the House

The right hon. Gentleman makes a helpful suggestion. I am certainly happy to listen to the political parties and learn whether they are willing and able to alter their arrangements. That is a logical consequence of my announcement, and of the contact that I have established with the parties to determine their future arrangements. However, the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) is a former Minister and knows full well that Governments do not get a free ride in September. He regularly writes to Ministers and raises issues with them, and they are required to respond, whether or not the House is sitting.