§ Sir Bernard BraineOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I inquire whether the Secretary of State for Employment has sought leave to make a ministerial statement about the appalling disruption on the commuter lines? If not, may I express my profound disgust?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a matter for the Chair.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understand that my hon. Friend the Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie) has tabled a Written Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland about the publication of the Houghton Report.
Various comments have been made in the Press this week suggesting that a statement might be made, if not by the Secretary of State for Scotland, then by the Secretary of State for Education and Science. As the children return from the school holidays on 6th January, which is before the House reassembles, and as it is important that there should be no further disruption as a result of strikes by the teachers, would it not be wise for a Minister to make a statement today? If you, Mr. Speaker, have not had notice that a statement will be made this morning—and it was suggested on the radio and in the Press that such a statement would be made—shall we, for the convenience of hon. Members, have a statement before the House rises at half-past four?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am very sorry. I cannot satisfy the hon. Gentleman's curiosity. These are not matters for me.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Robert Mellish)May I assure my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Mabon) 2012 that a statement is being made by the Minister by means of Written Answer today. As you will know, Mr. Speaker, it has been the custom and practice of the House to avoid the making of statements on Fridays. It always causes inconvenience and detracts from the time available to private Members. That is why a statement is to be made in the usual way by Answer to a Written Question.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinCan the right hon. Gentleman give any comfort to my hon. Friend the Member for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine), who has raised a matter of grave importance? A Minister from the Department of the Environment is present. Cannot a statement be made on the appalling inconvenience being caused to tens of thousands of people as a result of the dispute on the railways?
§ Mr. MellishThe point will be conveyed immediately to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. But this is not a sudden, new problem. It has arisen before. All of us in the House deprecate the hardship and hurt being imposed on many innocent people. Right hon. and hon. Members are not the only people who share the feeling of displeasure.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisThe Patronage Secretary has said that it is not usual for Ministers to make statements on Fridays. But it must depend on the urgency of the matter. By giving a Written Answer the Minister is escaping his responsibility. A statement could have been made yesterday. There are plenty of Members present. If the right hon. Gentleman likes, he can ask the Minister to come to the House and make a statement on these matters.
§ Several Hon. Members rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI must protect private Members' time and end this discussion.