Commons briefing: Business questions

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ePolitix.com reports on Thursday's business questions, which tackle concerns on swine flu and MPs' expenses.

Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan began with the topic of swine flu, stating he had raised the issue in the House earlier in the year, questioning the government's reluctance to debate the UK's preparedness for a flu pandemic.

He called for a debate on May 14 so the issue could be discussed more widely.

Harriet Harman acknowledged calls for a debate and said the May 14 suggestion was sensible.

The Commons leader added the health secretary will come to the house as "often as necessary" and said the issue was being monitored daily across departments as well as through the emergency Cobra committee.

Turning to the debate on ID cards, Duncan said there had been "misguided policy" following reports a group of ministers had called on the prime minister to drop the scheme.

He said after being told the cards were essential it was clear the government is now "somewhat split on the issue".

Duncan went on to suggest the prime minister could appear on YouTube "and give us a U-turn on this as well".

Harman defended the policy on ID cards and said it was "very important" for foreign nationals to have biometric identification.

"By getting rid of any uncertainty around ID we can allow more successful operation," she said.

"I think MPs should recognise that airport security is very important indeed."

Liberal Democrat spokesman David Heath called for Labour MPs to make their opinions about Gordon Brown's leadership known following a series of setbacks.

Making reference to the recent outbreak of swine flu, he said the prime minister seemed to have lately made a "pig's ear" out of everything he touched.

"Whether it's on the economy, whether it's on the issues of the Gurkhas, whether its members' allowances, even appearing on YouTube - it is not done, can I say, with great competence," Heath added.

Harman avoided the request and instead said the prime minister is available for questions every Wednesday.

Martin Horwood (Lib Dem, Cheltenham) stated that MPs in Westminster could be the "perfect transmission method" for swine flu and asked if the government had considered the implications on Westminster should it prove dangerous.

"Because, on the face of it, gathering the representatives from every community in the UK, putting them in one chamber, forcing them through old-fashioned crowded lobbies and then redistributing them to every part of the UK sounds like the perfect transmission mechanism."

He went on to suggest that perhaps it was a "good time" to consider electronic voting in the Commons.

Harman responded by saying the House of Commons Commission does have contingency plans and had been included in the swine flu emergency arrangements.

Bill Cash (Con, Stone) highlighted concerns that employees at Stafford hospital are being "shut up" by the authorities.

He said the two separate reviews would not deal with the "underlying lack of confidence" in the hospital, and called for evidence on oath and the publication of key papers.

"There is some evidence emerging that I am looking into that there are people in the hospital who would be whistleblowers who are effectively being shut up by the authorities concerned – its is a very serious situation," he warned.

The Commons leader responded that the health secretary would want to examine the allegations being made.

David Kidney (Lab, Stafford) also raised the issue and stressed the urgent need for an oral statement.

He said a statement was necessary as one review called for urgent further action and the other report had "wider implications for the NHS about public and patient involvement and the responsibilities of primary care trusts".

Harman stated there will be an oral statement, but could not specify a particular date.

David Clelland (Lab, Tyne Bridge) called for a set allowance for all carers, noting that while it can be "equally as stressful" as looking after a child, payments are currently only paid to certain groups and not those who are retired.

Noting the inclusion of the issue in the Equality Bill, Harman said that "we’ve got to do everything we can to support carers" and agreed that "the question of family care is a central issue".