§ Mr. EnglishOn a point of order. I wonder whether you can assist the House, Mr. Speaker. Now that we are a subordinate part of a federal institution, can you help us by saying who should inform the House of changes in the law which are relevant to debates before us when those changes occur only on this day? The particular point I have in mind was relevant to the statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today, and is relevant to the next debate.
I should like to know, for example, who is to bring before us the existence of a document which came through the door this morning. Although the contents of it were decided in private on 29th December and published theoretically on 13th February, it appeared in London only this morning. It is Commission Decision 73/10 which authorises all member States to subsidise butter to the extent of 28p per pound per month to old-age pensioners, the unemployed and other persons receiving social security benefits.
Since this is highly relevant to prices and incomes and to the subject of subsidising old-age pensioners, I want to know who is to make a statement on behalf of the Government about when the proposal will be implemented.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member has raised this as a matter of order. It seems to me to be a valid point for the debate. It is not a matter of order.