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Business of the House

Last week, I asked the Leader of the House for a statement by the Home Secretary on the implementation of the Bichard inquiry recommendations. A written statement is being made today, so I thank him for the expedition of this matter and ask him to draw it to the attention of the Prime Minister for his education. On 8 December, I raised the issue of extraordinary rendition. Indeed, I have raised it several times. Was the Leader of the House then aware of the memorandum from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Prime Minister’ Office the previous day, advising that"““We should try to avoid getting drawn on detail, and to try to move the debate on””?" Will the Foreign Secretary come to the House to explain that crude attempt to spin the issue away and to announce a full public inquiry into rendition? Can the Leader of the House find time for a statement by the Paymaster General on the massive organised fraud in the tax credit system? Some 30,000 cases are being investigated, but that is only the tip of the iceberg, and millions of pounds have been lost to the Exchequer. The Paymaster General was made aware of the issue a year ago, so is it not time that the House had an opportunity to raise questions? Finally, can the House now be told what new advice from the intercept commissioner requires the Prime Minister to consider the tapping of the phones of hon. Members? There is real concern on both sides of the House about that issue.