The debate took place during what was meant to be the parliamentary recess period in late February, but, due to the amount of Brexit-related work taking place, the week-long break was cancelled at short notice.
Unfortunately it seems that the memo failed to reach the under secretary of state for education and MP for Stratford-upon-Avon.
On clocking his absence from the Commons' debating chamber, Tracy Brabin, shadow early years minister, questioned whether he was stuck at home "because of a childcare problem".
Another theory for Zahawi's absence put forward by Brabin - or, rather, repeated by her - was that he was "as the papers suggest" skiing, adding mischievously "we hope he comes back in one piece".
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