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Procedure Committee
04 September 2025
Lead MP
Graeme Downie
Dunfermline and Dollar
Lab
Responding Minister
Not recorded
Tags
No tags
Word Count: 2110
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Graeme Downie raised concerns about procedure committee in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key Requests to Government:
The committee recommends that the arrangements introduced in November 2024 remain permanently in place for pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility-related absences. However, they suggest extending the temporary arrangements for long-term serious illness and injury until the end of this Parliament to gather more evidence.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Procedure Committee's report highlights the need to assess the proxy voting scheme introduced for serious long-term illness, injury, pregnancy complications, and fertility treatment. The committee has received limited evidence due to low uptake of proxy votes, but the feedback was constructive.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Expressed personal experience of needing proxy voting due to a family crisis, urging the Committee to consider extending proxies for Members with families in end-of-life care situations.
Southgate and Wood Green
Congratulated Graeme Downie on his work with the Procedure Committee and asked about reviewing and expanding the scheme for proxy voting when Members are present on the Estate.
Graeme Downie
SNP
Edinburgh South
Responded to Jim Shannon's question, noting that while such situations are covered by the system designed for proxy voting, further improvements and clarity might be necessary.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.