This list notes when an MP has changed allegiance from one political party to another or decided to sit as an independent Member. Instances of MPs losing or resigning a party whip are also noted.

This list notes when an MP has changed allegiance from one political party to another or decided to sit as an independent Member. Instances of MPs losing or resigning a party whip are also noted.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 October (WA 51), why the answer given did not address the seniority of the Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons relative to other Ministers; and whether they will now answer that...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 October (WA 51), why the answer given did not address the seniority of the Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons relative to other Ministers; and whether they will now answer that...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons continues to be the senior Minister outside the Cabinet.[HL2462]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons continues to be the senior Minister outside the Cabinet.[HL2462]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and as usual he is at one with the Prime Minister in wanting deregulation. Let me finish by quoting the words of a man who has the best interests of our democracy and our country at heart. This man said:"““We will give the House...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and as usual he is at one with the Prime Minister in wanting deregulation. Let me finish by quoting the words of a man who has the best interests of our democracy and our country at heart. This man said:"““We will give the House...

Before my hon. Friend finishes, let me say that I am absolutely delighted with his speech. I am sure that my decision not to go any further with the National Health Service Redress (Amendment) Bill was a wise one, because otherwise we would have been deprived of his contribution. Does...

Before my hon. Friend finishes, let me say that I am absolutely delighted with his speech. I am sure that my decision not to go any further with the National Health Service Redress (Amendment) Bill was a wise one, because otherwise we would have been deprived of his contribution. Does...

I am delighted at least to start to respond to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) and his Bill. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Warrington North (Helen Jones) for her comments. She said that she was a rebel against her Whips before being dragooned into their...

I am delighted at least to start to respond to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) and his Bill. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Warrington North (Helen Jones) for her comments. She said that she was a rebel against her Whips before being dragooned into their...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) on getting his Bill debated and on the characteristically entertaining way in which he has discussed it. I think the only person that we did not hear mentioned was Mrs Bone, so, as we have not heard about her for a...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) on getting his Bill debated and on the characteristically entertaining way in which he has discussed it. I think the only person that we did not hear mentioned was Mrs Bone, so, as we have not heard about her for a...

Indeed it does, but I am abolishing those as well. The hon. Gentleman should not worry about that; there is no problem there. In concluding my opening remarks—

Indeed it does, but I am abolishing those as well. The hon. Gentleman should not worry about that; there is no problem there. In concluding my opening remarks—

No. I simply wanted to make the point that the other place has Whips too.

No. I simply wanted to make the point that the other place has Whips too.

Let me just finish this point. If the other place improves scrutiny by having less whipping, surely having no whipping would improve our legislation enormously. [Interruption.] Has the hon. Gentleman now been advised by his Whip not to intervene?

Let me just finish this point. If the other place improves scrutiny by having less whipping, surely having no whipping would improve our legislation enormously. [Interruption.] Has the hon. Gentleman now been advised by his Whip not to intervene?

The Whips Office would submit that it performs another function—a pastoral role for Members of Parliament. Does my hon. Friend agree that that role could be undertaken by the parties—for example, by the parliamentary Labour party or the 1922 committee? Does he think that they could perform that pastoral role?

The Whips Office would submit that it performs another function—a pastoral role for Members of Parliament. Does my hon. Friend agree that that role could be undertaken by the parties—for example, by the parliamentary Labour party or the 1922 committee? Does he think that they could perform that pastoral role?

My hon. Friend hits on a good point that I am going to deal with a little later. Clearly, though, the system does not provide value for money at the moment.

My hon. Friend hits on a good point that I am going to deal with a little later. Clearly, though, the system does not provide value for money at the moment.

I thank my hon. Friend. In these challenging financial times, has he estimated how much this would cost the taxpayer, and does he think that it would deliver value for money?

I thank my hon. Friend. In these challenging financial times, has he estimated how much this would cost the taxpayer, and does he think that it would deliver value for money?

Now Madam Deputy Speaker—no, I am not going down that route. I am saying that professional help should be made available, as it is in any other organisation, through human resources, for people having serious problems. We all know that if we were in a big company, there would be...

Now Madam Deputy Speaker—no, I am not going down that route. I am saying that professional help should be made available, as it is in any other organisation, through human resources, for people having serious problems. We all know that if we were in a big company, there would be...

Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that we put in place a system of counselling for Members of Parliament?

Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that we put in place a system of counselling for Members of Parliament?

My hon. Friend raises an important point that has been used as the sole argument for keeping the Whips Office. If a Member of Parliament is suffering from a problem with which they need serious help, the last person they will want to go to is their Whip. Their party...

My hon. Friend raises an important point that has been used as the sole argument for keeping the Whips Office. If a Member of Parliament is suffering from a problem with which they need serious help, the last person they will want to go to is their Whip. Their party...

My hon. Friend is not quite correct. The Question on the motion was put, but because nobody expressed dissent, it was carried by the collection of voices. Many of us who returned especially to vote on that were delighted that there was no opposition. My argument about that day is...

My hon. Friend is not quite correct. The Question on the motion was put, but because nobody expressed dissent, it was carried by the collection of voices. Many of us who returned especially to vote on that were delighted that there was no opposition. My argument about that day is...

Oh, ladies first.

Oh, ladies first.

I think that new Members are under a misapprehension. They think that if they ever vote against the Government, they will not get into the Government. Actually, people get into the Government if they are good: if they are principled and intelligent, and crack it at the Dispatch Box, they...

I think that new Members are under a misapprehension. They think that if they ever vote against the Government, they will not get into the Government. Actually, people get into the Government if they are good: if they are principled and intelligent, and crack it at the Dispatch Box, they...