On a busy day in Parliament yesterday, George pressed the Prime Minister to ensure the European Commission follow through their plans to exempt small businesses from some regulations.
Responding to George's pledge for assurance that Mr Cameron "will follow this matter through ruthlessly to ensure that the Commission delivers on the promise", the Prime Minister said, "My hon. friend makes the good point that getting these things to appear once in a set of European Council conclusions is a good start, but that we have to ensure that the EC follows through on that. That is why I am trying to build an alliance in Europe on this issue. The fact that several consecutive Council conclusions have mentioned it means that a programme will have to be put in place to get it done."
The afternoon's debate, introduced by Nick Clegg, focused on proposals to reform the House of Lords. George spoke in favour of some reforms, including fixed tenures and reduced numbers, but questioned the need for the second chamber to be elected. Under the proposals, Lords would sit for a single term of fifteen years, with no chance to be re-elected. George argued that this did not represent accountability. He pointed out that other constitutional bodies, such as the judiciary and the monarchy remain unelected without questions as to their legitimacy. He also argued that a second elected chamber would rival the electoral mandate of the primary one - the House of Commons.
Rebutting arguments that claimed many of the Lords were out of touch, George praised the experience that they had to offer and brought to bear in their scrutinising role.
A Joint Committee has be set up by both Houses and will report by the end of February next year.