Urgent Debates Declined — Prime Minister—Meeting with United States Secretary of State

I have received a letter from James Shaw seeking to debate, under Standing Order 389, the Prime Minister’s meeting with the United States Secretary of State today. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. A meeting with a senior member of the United States administration is an important event, but the purpose of an urgent debate is to hold the Government to account for its actions in a situation that requires the urgent attention of the House—Speakers’ rulings 207/2 and 209/2. No substantive policy change or action by the Government has been announced as a result of the meeting. It is, therefore, difficult to discern the urgency in debating it. On that basis, the application is denied.