§ Mr. BlakerMr. Speaker, may I raise a point of order, of which I have given you notice? In a Written Answer on 24th October, at column 424, the Chancellor of the Exchequer told me that he would not, at present, increase the foreign travel allowance, but on the same day his Department announced that the allowance would be increased for certain categories of people. It appears, therefore that there must be an error in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I am seeking your guidance about how it can be corrected.
§ Mr. SpeakerIf I were informed of an error of the kind described by the hon. Gentleman I would seek to correct it, but I would have to have information from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it was a misreporting of what he said, and on whether it was accurate or not. It is not unknown that a Minister's replies do not always seem accurate to an hon. Member. This is no new feature of the British Parliament. It is really not a point of order for Mr. Speaker.
§ Sir Harmar NichollsFurther to that point of order.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have ruled that it is not a point of order.
§ Sir Harmar NichollsOn a new point of order. In view of the evidence given 1889 to the House by my hon. Friend, and as the Chancellor is in his place, can he give an explanation of the discrepancy in his statement?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is always in order for an hon. Member to seek an explanation from a Minister. This, too, is not unknown in the history of Parliament.