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Sittings of the House

I do not wish to criticise people who were in Parliament when I was not if I have no idea about what the situation was at the time. However, as I have said, a lot more private Bills got through under the previous Conservative Government; the relevant figure is 49. In 1996-97—the period during which the Deputy Leader of the House claims the time available was shortened—14 balloted private Members' Bills got on to the statute book. Whatever arrangements were in place then, there was plenty of time for private Members to get their business through and for Bills to obtain Royal Assent. That just will not happen under the current arrangement. I have outlined the figures, which show that the situation has been hopeless under this Government—I believe that two private Members' Bills got through last year.