HC Deb 08 June 1972 vol 838 cc704-5
Dr. Miller

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance since, Sir, you are our protector, though a less Cromwellian figure I could hardly imagine—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

We have very important business to transact today and I hope the House will allow the hon. Member to make his point.

Dr. Miller

I rise to put what I consider to be an important point of order. I asked the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Question about his plans for a Parliamentary Commissioner for the National Health Service for Northern Ireland. In the hubbub of noise pollution which occurred at the time there were one or two words I did not hear. [Hon. Members: "Read Hansard."] Had I heard what the Secretary of State actually said, my supplementary question would have been worded entirely differently. [Interruption.] It is not a laughing matter. Allegations have been made against the medical profession in Northern Ireland, and I should have like the right hon. Gentleman to tell me, in order to satisfy and help the medical profession itself as well as those against whom—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am sorry to have to interrupt the hon. Gentleman. I agree with quite a lot that he has said about noise pollution. I also agree that this is not a laughing matter. Nor is it a point of order. It relates to the content of a ministerial answer. That is not a matter for the Chair.

Dr. Miller

But I did not hear the ministerial answer—[Interruption.] On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Surely it is your duty to protect hon. Members so that they may hear what Ministers say. That is my reason for asking for your protection.

Mr. Speaker

That is a very sound principle. I hope that example will be better than precept from all right hon. and hon. Members.