§ Mr. Ron LewisI am sorry, Mr. Speaker, that I have not given you notice of the matter which I wish to raise. I wish to raise a point of order on a matter of great concern so far as my constituency and its people are concerned. Over the weekend a number of statements appeared in various newspapers regarding the future of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme. I received telephone calls 741 from journalists from various parts of the country asking if I had any comments to make. I replied that I had no statement, other than what I had read in newspapers. I was assured by the journalists that this question would be answered and decided on Tuesday in the House of Commons.
When I arrived here yesterday, I searched through the Order Paper and no such Question was down regarding the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme. I immediately placed on the Order Paper a Question, which is Written Question No. 73. My information is that at 3.30 today the Home Office released a statement regarding the whole future of the management scheme, and since I have been in the House I have been asked for my comments and I do not even know what it is all about.
Surely in a matter of great concern to my constituency, this should have been dealt with on the Floor of the House and not raised with the newspapers. Is this not another typical example of this Government overriding democracy in every way? I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker. Surely the Home Secretary should have come to the Dispatch Box to answer a Question on this matter. I assure you that many people in my constituency will take a dim view of the way they are being treated by this Government.
§ Mr. PeartFurther to that point of order. Is the House aware that this matter is not just confined to Carlisle? The 742 State Management Scheme extends down into South Cumberland, including my own constituency, it covers a large section of the constituency of the Leader of the House, and also parts of Scotland. Therefore, it is an important matter involving great State assets and the livelihood of many people. Is this not an odd way to deal with the matter? Would it not have been better to have had a proper statement on the matter, since the Home Secretary is now on the bench? This is no way to treat the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman and the right hon. Gentleman have made their points. This is not a matter for the Chair.
§ Mr. Hefferrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI am ruling on this matter at the moment. The point has been made, the Home Secretary has heard it, and there are various ways in which these matters can be pursued.