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Calls for MPs on parental leave to get proxy votes

The Commons Speaker John Bercow has said the issue of how parents with new babies vote in the Commons needs to be "resolved".

He was speaking after the breakdown of "pairing arrangements" on the Trade Bill between a Conservative Brandon Lewis and the Liberal Democrat, Jo Swinson, who is currently on maternity leave.

The Government has apologised - but the failure of the pairing system has sparked new calls for absent MPs to get proxy votes.

Rachel Byrne reports.

You can hear more from Today in Parliament at 11.30pm on Radio 4.

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