MP of the day - Andrew Rosindell for flying the flag

Romford MP and Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Rosindell raised a point of order in the Commons yesterday:

"Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you undertake to investigate what I feel was an appalling breach of protocol yesterday—Armistice day—when the flag of our country was not flown from all the flagpoles on the parliamentary estate, most particularly No. 1 Parliament street and Portcullis House? Will you please look into this to ensure that such a breach does not occur on Remembrance day next year?

Mr. Speaker: I, of course, want to make sure that we respect our dead, especially on Remembrance day, so I will look into this matter for the hon. Gentleman."

It's no secret that Mr Rosindell often gets mocked for the intensity with which he expresses his patriotism. But it is somehow comforting to know that there are MPs with such an unabashed pride in our nation. Symbols matter, and it would be nice to see the Union flag a bit more frequently. Its absence on Armistice Day is inexcusable.

Britain and America always make for an interesting contrast. Americans treat their flag with reverence - pledging allegiance to it on a regular basis, flying it outside their homes in their millions, and furiously debating whether burning the flag is unthinkable or the ultimate expression of America's freedom of speech.

In Britain we're more subtle. The flag comes out on special occasions. Or at least it's supposed to. Full marks to Mr Rosindell for - ahem -  flagging up a breach of protocol.

Update: Mr Rosindell is on a roll! He also led a debate in Westminster Hall yesterday, calling for the establishment of a British Day. 

Early Day Motions

Update: Brian Binley's EDM had been tabled very shortly before this post was written, and has since attracted lots of signatures.

Early Day Motions are effectively petitions signed by MPs to draw attention to an issue; although they are motions for debate, few actually end up being debated. They can be serious, they can be lighthearted, they are often cross-party, they can be sometimes be unpleasant.

Herewith some recently tabled EDMs from Conservative MPs. Click on the links provided to see who else has signed them.

David Burrowes tabled EDM 2388:

"EXTRADITION OF GARY MCKINNON

30.10.2008

Burrowes, David

That this House notes the accepted practice of the governments of Israel and the Netherlands of requiring assurances from the US Administration prior to their nationals being deported to face trial in the United States in cases involving defendants suffering from medical or mental health disabilities, that those nationals will be repatriated to serve any sentence imposed by the relevant United States court; and urges the Home Secretary not to permit the extradition to the United States of Mr Gary McKinnon of Palmers Green, London, an Asperger's syndrome sufferer charged with computer misuse in the United States, until such time as she receives express assurances from the US Administration that in the event of his being found guilty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment that administration agrees to the immediate repatriation of Mr McKinnon post trial to serve any such sentence in the United Kingdom."

At the time of writing, no-one else has signed Brian Binley's EDM (number 2391) on corporation tax for small businesses:

"SMALL COMPANIES RATE OF CORPORATION TAX

30.10.2008

Binley, Brian

That this House recognises that small businesses across the United Kingdom provide employment to 13 million workers and are facing difficult financial pressures due to the economic downturn; and asks the Government to reconsider its plans for a further 1 per cent. rise in the small companies rate of corporation tax announced in Budget 2007 to take effect from April 2009."

Continue reading "Early Day Motions" »

The Government continues to dodge written questions

In the latest copy of Hansard, several more written questions have been inadequately answered.

There will be times when the Government really can't answer a question, or when it would be undiplomatic for it to do so, or when pulling the information together would be excessively costly. But those occasions are comparatively rare.

This post is longer than normal, but with good reason. It's time to spotlight what appears to be indefensible obsfucation. If anyone can suggest good reasons why the answers below were in fact satisfactory, we'd be delighted to see them.

There are some real gems, including this one from Douglas Carswell, Tory MP for Harwich:

"Mr. Carswell: To ask the Prime Minister how much champagne was ordered by the Prime Minister’s Office for consumption at events at (a) 10 Downing Street and (b) Chequers in each of the last six months. [226474]

The Prime Minister: The information requested is not held."

If this isn't a lie, and they really don't know how much they spent on bubbly, that's actually more horrifying than trying to cover it up.

Continue reading "The Government continues to dodge written questions" »

Why do criminals in police cells cost four times as much to feed as NHS patients?

Andrew Rosindell MP: "Can the Secretary of State for Justice explain why a patient in an NHS hospital has only £3 a day spent on their food, yet a criminal locked up in a police cell has £12 a day spent on food? Will the Secretary of State enlighten us as to why the figure is four times more for a criminal in a cell?"

Jack Straw MP, Secretary of State for Justice: "As ever, the hon. Gentleman, who comes from the same great county as I do, asks an important question. The issue is an interesting one, and I shall revert to him and the House on the matter."

We've asked Andrew Rosindell to let us know when he gets a reply.