2017 March

On Monday evening I voted in favour of the two amendments agreed in the House of Lords to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. These amendments were:

I met with His Eminence Cardinal Charles Maung Bo Archbishop of Yangon and Ben Rogers, East Asia Team Leader for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, on Monday 13 March 2017 for an update on the situation in Burma.

I voted to support the Ten Minute Rule Bill on the decriminalisation of abortion in England and Wales, proposed by Diana Johnson MP, on Monday 13 March 2017. The Bill passed Ayes: 172 Noes: 142.

I was delighted to catch up with pupils from Abu Bakr School in my constituency. They spent the day in the Education Centre. I spoke to them about the process known as ping – pong when the EU Referendum Bill which has been amended in the Lords comes back to the Commons. I explained that on Monday 13 March the Bill will come to the Commons and MPs will vote on whether to keep the amendments made by the Lords. I met the pupils on Thursday 9 March 2017. I explained that I have an opportunity to raise issues with the Leader of the House on issues relating to House matters or on Government business that affects mine and other MPs constituents.

At Business Questions I raised various issues with the Leader of the House, Rt Hon David Lidington MP. My speech is below: