Chris Seeks Debate Re Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
Has my right hon. Friend had a chance to look at early-day motion 114?
[That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 1164), dated 31 October 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 31 October 2023, be annulled.]
If so, is she impressed by the fact that the motion has the support of not only Conservative Members but quite a lot of Opposition Members, including John McDonnell? The motion calls on the Government to bring forward a debate before the ban on XL bully-type dogs is implemented at the end of December. She will know that some 650,000 people across the country have already signed a petition against what the Government are proposing, because it is not only unfair but very vague. Many dog owners do not know whether their dogs will be included. This is most unsatisfactory legislation. Should it not be debated in this House before it is implemented?
Penny Mordaunt Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
I thank my hon. Friend for putting that on the record, and I think that is very helpful. He will know the motivation for bringing in the legislation, but of course we need to provide clarity and reassurance to pet owners. Given that the date of the next DEFRA questions has not been announced, I will write on his behalf to alert the Secretary of State to early-day motion 114 and to ensure he has heard what my hon. Friend has said.
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LATER in the same debate.
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Rosie Winterton Deputy Speaker (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
I can take only points of order that relate directly to the business statement. Is that the case?
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
It is, Madam Deputy Speaker. In answering my question about early-day motion 114, the Leader of the House said that she would write to the DEFRA Minister about it. However, when the subject was debated on 27 November in Westminster Hall, I asked the DEFRA Minister whether he would facilitate a debate on the statutory instrument, saying that it is
“obviously of great concern to many Members of Parliament and even more so to our constituents, before it comes into force on 31 December”.
The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, my right hon. Friend Mark Spencer, responded:
“I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. Of course he will be fully aware that it is for parliamentary business managers to arrange such debates, but I will certainly have a conversation with those business managers following this debate.”—[Official Report, 27 November 2023;
Vol. 741, c. 223-24WH.]
I wonder whether that discussion ever took place. We are now in a situation where the Leader of the House says she relies on DEFRA to organise a debate, and a DEFRA Minister says it is for parliamentary business managers to organise. Who is in charge, Madam Deputy Speaker?
Rosie Winterton Deputy Speaker (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
I think that was a slight extension of business questions rather than a point of order. Is the hon. Gentleman’s point of order that he wishes to know how to gain further clarification on the matter?
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
indicated assent.
Penny Mordaunt Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
rose—
Rosie Winterton Deputy Speaker (First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
The hon. Gentleman is lucky that the Leader of the House is still here, and she indicates that she wishes to make a response to his point of order.
Penny Mordaunt Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend Sir Christopher Chope is a very experienced and diligent parliamentarian. He has done everything right: he has pursued the Department and not had satisfaction from it, and when right hon. and hon. Members do not have satisfaction from a Department, they must bring their issues to business questions. I hope they know that I will always follow up on their behalf, and I will do so in the case of my hon. Friend. I will ensure that conversation takes place and I will put pen to paper this afternoon.
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