To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the House of Lords Administration has replaced the employment of housekeepers with the use of contract cleaners; and if so, how much they estimate will be saved as a result of such a policy; and what will be (1) the hours, (2) the holiday entitlement, and (3)...

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the House of Lords Administration has replaced the employment of housekeepers with the use of contract cleaners; and if so, how much they estimate will be saved as a result of such a policy; and what will be (1) the hours, (2) the holiday entitlement, and (3)...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the FCO's cleaning contractor, Interserve, pays the London Living Wage to its employees.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the FCO's cleaning contractor, Interserve, pays the London Living Wage to its employees.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to issue guidance that staff employed by contract cleaning companies in government departments should not be disciplined for seeking a living wage; and if he will include this in future contracts.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to issue guidance that staff employed by contract cleaning companies in government departments should not be disciplined for seeking a living wage; and if he will include this in future contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his investigations into Tech Clean and their supply of temporary workers to the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his investigations into Tech Clean and their supply of temporary workers to the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have contracts for cleaning his Department’s premises, broken down by building.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have contracts for cleaning his Department’s premises, broken down by building.

My hon. Friend will be aware of early-day motion 434, which deals with the appalling pay and conditions suffered by the House of Commons cleaners, and which has 178 signatories so far. [That this House values the cleaners who maintain high standards of service to Parliament; believes the parliamentary cleaners...

My hon. Friend will be aware of early-day motion 434, which deals with the appalling pay and conditions suffered by the House of Commons cleaners, and which has 178 signatories so far. [That this House values the cleaners who maintain high standards of service to Parliament; believes the parliamentary cleaners...

On the subject of the House of Commons cleaners, I am slightly concerned by the Minister’s earlier response. I understand that the proposal on the table would result in up to 30 job losses on the House of Commons Estate, which would mean a major reduction in cleaning standards in...

On the subject of the House of Commons cleaners, I am slightly concerned by the Minister’s earlier response. I understand that the proposal on the table would result in up to 30 job losses on the House of Commons Estate, which would mean a major reduction in cleaning standards in...

I recognise that many hon. Members are concerned about this issue. There seems to be a degree of less-than-wholly accurate information being transmitted, although I do not impugn the motives of those who are circulating it. The position is as I have stated. Everyone is guaranteed a job. If my...

I recognise that many hon. Members are concerned about this issue. There seems to be a degree of less-than-wholly accurate information being transmitted, although I do not impugn the motives of those who are circulating it. The position is as I have stated. Everyone is guaranteed a job. If my...

I welcome my hon. Friend’s comments although, as my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has informed the House, it is not ultimately a matter for the Government but for the House of Commons Commission, which has made its position clear—namely, to resolve two of the key issues...

I welcome my hon. Friend’s comments although, as my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has informed the House, it is not ultimately a matter for the Government but for the House of Commons Commission, which has made its position clear—namely, to resolve two of the key issues...

I shall make two points in reply to that. First, during our years in government, tobacco consumption fell, and I think I am right in saying that it is starting to rise now, particularly among teenage girls. Secondly, the argument that if we deliver a reduced level of smoking, we...

I shall make two points in reply to that. First, during our years in government, tobacco consumption fell, and I think I am right in saying that it is starting to rise now, particularly among teenage girls. Secondly, the argument that if we deliver a reduced level of smoking, we...

I want to finish this point. I have also made it clear that we intend to monitor the impact of the ban, with the exceptions, from day one and to complete that review within three years. As I said, the Bill provides for a complete ban, but exceptions can be...

I want to finish this point. I have also made it clear that we intend to monitor the impact of the ban, with the exceptions, from day one and to complete that review within three years. As I said, the Bill provides for a complete ban, but exceptions can be...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. The prevalence of smoking in England and other parts of the country is going down among all groups, including working-class men. Indeed, the evidence on young women is not as clear cut as he suggests. Smoking rates are going down. They are...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. The prevalence of smoking in England and other parts of the country is going down among all groups, including working-class men. Indeed, the evidence on young women is not as clear cut as he suggests. Smoking rates are going down. They are...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his intervention, and I hope to be at the launch of children’s cancer awareness month tomorrow. I am also aware of his point about specialist tobacconists. I understand that they have made those points to the Government, but have had no clear...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his intervention, and I hope to be at the launch of children’s cancer awareness month tomorrow. I am also aware of his point about specialist tobacconists. I understand that they have made those points to the Government, but have had no clear...

Will the hon. Gentleman clarify something for the House and extend his earlier comments? It is true that more than 90 per cent. of the 57,000 responses were hostile to the proposed exemption—but he should have gone on to say that those people supported a simple, comprehensive, workable and enforceable...

Will the hon. Gentleman clarify something for the House and extend his earlier comments? It is true that more than 90 per cent. of the 57,000 responses were hostile to the proposed exemption—but he should have gone on to say that those people supported a simple, comprehensive, workable and enforceable...

Before the election, we made it clear in a document that was published in February that we believe that individuals are primarily responsible for their health. Indeed, the Secretary of State made more or less the same point. We therefore want to proceed when possible through voluntary measures and self-regulatory...

Before the election, we made it clear in a document that was published in February that we believe that individuals are primarily responsible for their health. Indeed, the Secretary of State made more or less the same point. We therefore want to proceed when possible through voluntary measures and self-regulatory...

I am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware that many of us see a fatal flaw and contradiction in the Bill—[Interruption.]—in part 1, which is otherwise admirable in its intent. I am sure that everyone on the Labour Benches would wish to protect workers from being exposed to...

I am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware that many of us see a fatal flaw and contradiction in the Bill—[Interruption.]—in part 1, which is otherwise admirable in its intent. I am sure that everyone on the Labour Benches would wish to protect workers from being exposed to...

The measures in the Bill are designed to increase the choice that is available to patients in England. The Bill will enable primary care trusts to contract with a wider range of providers, and indeed, as you would expect, Mr. Speaker, we have been discussing this very closely with the...

The measures in the Bill are designed to increase the choice that is available to patients in England. The Bill will enable primary care trusts to contract with a wider range of providers, and indeed, as you would expect, Mr. Speaker, we have been discussing this very closely with the...