MP JOHN GLEN heaped praise on the “excellent” Journal in the House of Commons yesterday.

At prime minister's questions, the Salisbury MP read from a story about a couple who saved £4,500 overnight thanks to the government's stamp duty reforms, announced in the autumn statement.

Mr Glen said: “Last week, my constituents, charity workers Alex and Becky Ewing, faced a tax bill of more than £8,000 as they moved into their first home.

"As reported in the excellent Salisbury Journal, Mr Ewing declared that he was “blown away” by the Chancellor's statement and will be giving some of the £4,500 stamp duty that he unexpectedly saved to local charities.

"What message does last week's announcement send to first-time buyers this Christmas?”

Mr Glen's question was greeted with cheers from his fellow MPs.

Speakers at the weekly Wednesday lunchtime slot are usually chosen by a ballot, with about a one in 20 chance of being selected.

Mr Glen has enjoyed a recent run of good luck, appearing four times in seven weeks.

After failing to be selected for more than seven months, Mr Glen wrote to the speaker in October, seeking special permission to ask an urgent question about the future of Porton Down.

Mr Glen's other questions this year were:

  • December 3: “Fifty-six years ago, Simon Wingfield Digby, the then hon. member for West Dorset, made the first plea for improvements to the A303 in this house.

“Thanks to the Government's careful management of the economy, the prime minister was once again warmly welcomed in Wiltshire this week to announce the £1.3 billion investment in the tunnel under Stonehenge.

“Will he reassure the people of the south west that we will not have to wait another 56 years for it to be delivered?”

  • November 19: “In Salisbury and south Wiltshire, unemployment has fallen by 60 per cent since the Government took office.

“Youth unemployment is down by two thirds, and across the county of Wiltshire the number of young people in training and employment is set to exceed pre-recession levels.

“Does the Prime Minister agree that we are on a clear path to improving living standards further for all, and that the Labour party would put that into reverse?”

  • October 29:  “The prime minister will be aware of the outstanding work done at Porton Down in my constituency to combat Ebola.

“However, Public Health England has refused to evaluate fully an option to create a UK centre for global response to infectious diseases at Porton and instead persists with its recommendation to move many key scientists elsewhere.

“Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss that matter and ensure that the future of public health, the life sciences industry and the taxpayer are well served by the decision ultimately made for public health in England?”

  • April 9: “Thanks to the Government's long-term economic plan, youth unemployment has been slashed by 42 percent in my constituency.

“Does the Prime Minister think that the opening of a new university technical college and a new free sixth-form college in Salisbury will enhance the ability of young people in south Wiltshire to compete in the global race?”

Mr Glen's speech can be seen at 30mins