§ Mr. SpeakerWith regard to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand), I will reply to the hon. Member privately. There is an explanation.
§ Mr. AshleyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I apologise for not giving you notice of this point of order but in the nature of events I could not do so.
Earlier this week I sought to table a Question to the Prime Minister asking him for a definitive reply on the thalidomide issue. It was ruled out of order. Earlier still the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) sought to put a Question to the Prime Minister on this point. It was transferred. Yesterday I sought to table a Question for the Prime Minister to answer today and that, too, was ruled out of order. I do not complain about that, but since the Prime Minister had been made redundant by 25 minutes past Three today I feel that he should have taken that opportunity of making a statement on this important question.
§ Mr. SpeakerSo far as that point of order involves the Chair I will certainly consider it carefully.