HC Deb 05 July 1976 vol 914 cc962-3
Mr. Strauss

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask whether you have been asked by any Minister for permission to make a statement about the brilliant action of the Israeli Government in frustrating the international menace and danger of hijacking? This is an international matter of great interest to all the people of this country. I suggest that a statement by the Government on behalf of the British people would have been appropriate.

Mr. Speaker

No such request has come to me.

Mr. Heffer

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I notice that the Leader of the House is present. May I ask, through you, Mr. Speaker, whether my right hon. Friend will convey the comment made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) so that a statement may be made tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker

I was being courteous to the Father of the House in allowing him to make the point. It was not a point of order. But whoever is in the House will have heard the statement that has been made.

Mr. Hastings

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Since you have been good enough to grant—

Mr. Speaker

It was not a point of order. Out of courtesy to the Father of the House, I allowed the right hon. Gentleman to complete his statement before I interrupted him. I hope that we shall not have alternative points of view about something that is not a point of order.

Mr. Hastings

May I say, Mr. Speaker, that I think that the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) would find much sympathy on this side of the House for what he has said.

Mr. Speaker

That illustrates the trouble that I get into.