A charming young man spent the day in my office. We despatched him to various events and I think he got a good glimpse of life in the Commons. The morning was spent on routine matters and private meetings. A working lunch, then to CR 19 for our weekly European Scrutiny Committee. This was held in private. With our departure from the EU imminent, some interesting questions are now bubbling up, not least ones about money. The big event of the day, at least for some, was the meeting of the '22 Backbench Committee, which was hosting the PM. Some silly and offensive remarks about the PM had been made earlier in the week, allegedly by one or two MPs, which created a somewhat more conciliatory meeting than had been anticipated. However, I've been in the House long enough to know that the last thing you ever hear at this meeting is what MPs really think, especially of the PM. In addition, the meeting is held in confidence, so you will have to go by newspaper reports as to what actually happened! Sadly, too many of my colleagues are prepared to leak information on the mistaken belief the Press thinks their views are important. It may puff up some egos, but all the leaks actually do is undermine the whole point of the meeting. - for PM and MPs to exchange frank views on a range of topics. Votes on the N Ireland Bill came afterwards and then it was home to Dorset.