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Business of the House

The business for the week commencing 20 December will be: Monday 20 December—General debate on firearms control. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister plans to make a statement on the European Council. Tuesday 21 December—Pre-recess Adjournment debate, the format of which has been specified by the Backbench Business Committee. The House will not adjourn until the Speaker has signified Royal Assent. The House will meet at 11.30 am and be subject to Wednesday timings should it agree to the motion at the end of today's business. The provisional business for the week commencing 10 January will include: Monday 10 January—Second Reading of the Armed Forces Bill. Tuesday 11 January—Consideration in Committee of the European Union Bill (day 1). Wednesday 12 January—Remaining stages of the Postal Services Bill. Thursday 13 January—Remaining stages of the National Insurance Contributions Bill. The provisional business for the week commencing 17 January will include: Monday 17 January—Second Reading of the Localism Bill. I should also like to remind the House that the business in Westminster Hall for 13 January and 20 January 2011 will now be: Thursday 13 January 2011—A debate on the impact of the comprehensive spending review on the Department for Communities and Local Government. Thursday 20 January 2011—A general debate on anti-Semitism. May I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, and all right hon. and hon. Members a very happy Christmas and new year, and to thank all those who have kept the House running smoothly this year, particularly the security staff, the police, the Serjeant at Arms and the team who have kept the House running without interruption? I should also like to thank the staff involved in providing services and a welcome to new Members following the general election, including the Clerks, the Officers and staff of the House, the Doorkeepers and the cleaners. A merry Christmas to all.