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Business of the House

Can we have a debate on the Prime Minister and his Government's attitude to Parliament? Will the Leader of the House ensure that the Prime Minister opens that debate, so that he has an opportunity to explain what has changed since the fine words in his statement to the House on 3 July and, in particular, to say why, less than one hour after answering Prime Minister's questions yesterday, he was not here to vote for the quite disgraceful programme motion put before the House? The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, the right hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) said at the Dispatch Box that he would probably not be voting for it unless he had to make the case for it. Can the right hon. and learned Lady also explain why, in referring to what happened yesterday, she said, ““As it turns out,”” as though it was a surprise? If the Government continue to treat Parliament as though we are that stupid, she cannot be surprised at the reception that she has received this afternoon.