HC Deb 30 July 1974 vol 878 cc481-2
Mr. Tom King

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It may have come to your notice that the Secretary of State for Industry recently announced in a Written Answer that Government aid to the extent of £4.95 million would be given to the Meriden Co-operative. The figure of £4.95 million is just below the £5 million for which the Government must seek the approval of the House.

The reason why I raise this matter, as it was discussed yesterday and as the House will be rising tomorrow, is that an announcement appeared in the newspaper this morning that a further £1.1 million subsidy will be required by Norton-Villiers to enable the scheme to go forward. That clearly indicates that the total package is well in excess of the £5 million for which parliamentary approval is required. I ask whether there has been any communication with you, Mr. Speaker, to enable the matter to be discussed before we rise?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for the Chair.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

May I raise a new point of order, Mr. Speaker? It relates to a manœuvre which is being used to get round the proper usage of Parliament in looking after taxpayers' money. If this matter is not the responsibility of the Chair, whose responsibility is it? On the evidence that we have just heard, it is palpably a manœuvre aimed at getting round the proper rules of the House.

Mr. Speaker

It is certainly not a matter for the Chair to judge how the Government or Opposition conduct their business. They must fight it out between them. It is not a matter for the Chair to rule on these matters. So far as I know, nothing has happened contrary to the Standing Orders of the House.

Mr. Heath

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. We fully accept that it is not a matter for the Chair, but, since this matter has been drawn to the attention of the House, and, in particular, to the Leader of the House, will the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry to make a statement tomorrow before we begin the Adjournment debate so that the House may be apprised of the full situation?

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Edward Short)

As the position stands at the moment, the amount does not exceed £5 million, and, therefore, under legislation passed by the Conservative Government it does not need to come to the House. I give the right hon. Gentleman the assurance that if there is any question of its going up to £5 million or exceeding it, certainly it will come to the House of Commons.

Mr. Heath

Will the Leader of the House take up the point mentioned by my Friend, namely, that this is being done in two jumps and that the total will be over £5 million? Does not that in itself mean that the matter should come before the House?

Mr. Short

The only amount of money to which the Government have agreed is below £5 million. Therefore, it does not need to come to the House of Commons under legislation passed by the Conservative Government. [An HON. MEMBER: "Cheating!"] If the Government make more money available which will take the figure over £5 million, it will come to Parliament; otherwise it cannot be made available.

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Short—statement.