Siri makes its debut in Commons debate

Siri, the voice command software on Apple’s iphone, has spoken for the first time in a House of Commons debate.

Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, triggered the software on his smartphone when he mentioned “Syria” three times during an address. Siri sprang into life, telling the hushed chamber: “I have found something on the web with reference to Syria…”.

Mr Williamson gamely carried on, making a joke about being heckled by his own phone, which he switched off.

The House of Commons has a new MP: the Honourable Member for Siri. This know-all backbencher can conjure up information on any subject and whisper it in the ear of a grateful minister such as Gavin Williamson. The Defence Secretary was on his feet in the chamber when the voice-activated software on his mobile phone began to brief him on the activities of the Syrian Democratic Forces about which he had been speaking. You have to wonder whether this is how Mr Williamson gets all his facts. Is the Civil Service now redundant? Can special advisers be dispensed with? Think of the savings to be made. In fact, why bother with ministers at all? They can just leave their phones on the Despatch Box to answer for them. Perhaps then we might find out what is happening about Brexit.