Urgent Debates Declined — Winstone Pulp Mill—Closure

Members, I have received a letter from Arena Williams seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the Government’s response to the lack of competition in the supermarket sector. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The Government has indicated that it would support a targeted inquiry into the major retailers’ wholesale offerings. The business of the House should not be set aside just because a ministerial announcement has been made, even though it may be important. There must be such an element of urgency that the matter must take precedence over other business of the House—Speakers’ ruling 224/4. I do not consider that that threshold has been reached, and the application is declined.

I’ve also received a letter from Helen White seeking to debate the closure of the Winstone Pulp mill. For there to be an urgent debate, there must be ministerial responsibility for the case of recent occurrence—Speakers’ ruling 216/4. The application has not identified any Government action to be debated. In the absence of Government action, it’s not a matter that can be the subject of an urgent debate—Speakers’ ruling 222/4. The application is declined.