When the clerk of the Commons education and skills select committee summoned Confederation of British Industry chief Digby Jones to appear before its hearings on 14 to 19 provision, he was surprised to be told that “Digby doesn’t do select committees”. The informal inquiry was followed by a formal written “invitation”, which has so far been ignored. Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield and the chair of the committee, has now sent a letter to Mr Jones informing him that nobody “doesn’t do” select committees because, if necessary, the committee can send the Sergeant at Arms to drag them to Parliament. “Digby is playing hard to get,” Mr Sheerman said. “But he will be appearing before the select committee, of that I am sure.”
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