Winterton attacks government 'discourtesy'

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Rosie Winterton accused the government of "discourtesy" to the Commons after Sir Jock Stirrup's departure was announced in the Sunday papers, outside of Parliament.

Winterton called on leader of the House of Commons Sir George Young to ensure that future key announcements are made to members of Parliament first.

During questions on future business, the shadow Commons leader claimed the chancellor had been a "serial offender" in the past of briefing the house instead of making a statement before Parliament.

She told MPs:" Can we make sure that in future we do not have a repeat of last week's discourtesy to the House when General Sir Jock Stirrup's departure was announced in the Sunday papers by the defence secretary Liam Fox on television. But it was not even mentioned in the prime minister's statement before the house on Monday.

"That is hardly the way to treat the chief of the defence staff."

Winterton said that chancellor George Osborne had to be "summoned to the House" as "once again" he wanted to make a key announcement, but not just to members of Parliament.

And she suggested that if there were not any planned statements the Leader of the House should check with the cabinet to confirm that this was the case.

The Commons leader responded that Sir Jock Stirrup had stayed in his position longer than originally intended and his departure had been announced to members of staff.

Sir George said the government had been "very open with the House" and since the Queen's Speech has already delivered 9 statements to the House.

Winterton also suggested the Tory and Liberal Democrat party conferences could be merged and "simply be called the Conservative Party Conference".

Sir George responded that the Commons ought to have a "serious debate" about its sitting hours, when it sits, when it sits in the summer and whether the 82-day summer recess is the way forward.

He added: "I think that all parties might have a look at whether the party conferences are immovable or whether there might be a more intelligent way of organising the political year.

"This is not a matter for one party, it is a matter for all parties and it is a matter for the House."

In other exchanges, Toby Perkins (Lab, Chesterfield) accused the parliamentary expenses watchdog of placing "tremendous pressure" on new MPs.

He said: "For several weeks I've been attempting to get support from Ipsa to actually offer jobs to people who want to work in my constituency office."

Perkins called on the Commons leader to make a statement outlining what support is available to new MPs to staff up their offices given that he has not received any response from Ipsa to hire people to come and work in his constituency office.

Sir George replied that he would relay comments to the interim chief executive Andrew McDonald and urge for a "prompt response" to the member.