Ms Nusrat Ghani

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. The attendance of witnesses before Select Committees is not a matter for the Chair. However, it is surprising that the current National Security Adviser has declined to appear before the Joint Committee when all of his predecessors have been willing to do so. The Government’s own guidance on the matter states: “Parliament has powers to call any individual to give evidence… When a Select Committee indicates that it wishes to take evidence from any particular names official, including special advisers, the presumption is that Ministers will seek to agree such a request.” I am sure that the Clerks will be able to advise the hon. Member and his Committee on how best to pursue the matter further. Bill Presented Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (Amendment) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Lisa Smart, supported by Ben Maguire and Josh Babarinde, presented a Bill to amend the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 to make provision about the interpretation of that Act in relation to domestic abuse. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 11 July, and to be printed (Bill 246).