§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wonder whether the Government have asked that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should make a statement today about the non-outcome of the negotiations over the past few days in Luxembourg concerning the farm price review. I understand that the right hon. Gentleman could be here. There is no problem over time. This is a very important matter, particularly as regards the future of the Milk Marketing Boards. Is there any information from the Government about that?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have received no request from the Minister, and therefore I am unable to help the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be possible for the House to ask the Minister to come here, because it would be wrong for him to deal with this type of matter in a Written Answer, which I suspect he will do, though I do not know. Could not the Treasurer to Her Majesty's Household, who is on the Government Front Bench, ask for the Minister to come here to make this important statement to the House today?
§ Mr. SpeakerI allowed the hon. Gentleman to make his point of order, but he is a very experienced Member and he will know that the House cannot at this stage summon the Minister. But I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman's words will have been carefully noted for when we have an opportunity for such a statement.