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Business of the House

Will my right hon. Friend make time for a debate on the interpretation by chief officers and councils of the code of practice for the conduct of local elections? I am very concerned about the possibility that guidelines issued by the chief executive of Stockport council, Mr. John Schultz, will prevent me, and other hon. Members, from fulfilling our responsibilities as Members of Parliament on behalf of our constituents during the pre-election period. My right hon. Friend may have read in the Stockport Express, and indeed in The Daily Telegraph, that that same council is planning to turn off the lights in the town, and about my utter condemnation of that policy. My hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne) has also had cause to criticise his Liberal Democrat council. I hope that my right hon. Friend shares my view that Members of Parliament have the protection of the House in carrying out their duties here and in their constituencies, and will agree to allow time for a debate so that the message can be conveyed loud and clear to those unelected local government officers who seek—without the authority of the House—to stop us.