§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursI should like to draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to a question that was asked by the hon. Member for Lancaster (Mrs. Kellett-Bowman) yesterday, during questions to the Secretary of State for Industry referring to certain aspects of the British Steel Corporation's activities in my constituency. The hon. Member for Lancaster was asking that question in her capacity as a Member of the European Assembly. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I have no objection to the hon. Member for Lancaster wishing to know the answer, but I wonder, Mr. Speaker, whether you would tell the House whether it is in order for Members of the European Parliament to use their position in this Chamber by 349 asking questions which may not be helpful to hon. Members representing the domestic constituencies.
I had given to the British Steel Corporation employees an assurance that I would not turn this issue into a political football. I feel that what happened yesterday did that very thing. It is for that reason, Mr. Speaker, that I seek your guidance.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanFurther to the point of order, Mr. Speaker—of which the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) did not have the courtesy to give me notice. I would point out that if an hon. Member for a particular constituency is not present, as the hon. Member was not when the question of the Shotton steel closures arose—a question that intimately concerns his constituency and mine—it is up to somebody else to stick up for the people of Workington. That is what I was seeking to do.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savours rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I will give the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) an opportunuity in a moment. I first want to give a ruling on a very important question. The wider constituencies belonging to the Assembly in Europe have no bearing at all upon us here. I treat every hon. Member here 350 as a Member for the constituency for which he or she was elected to this House.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanFurther to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not a breach of the conventions of this House for the hon. Member for Workington to table 17 written questions, which will cost the taxpayer £560 to answer, relating exclusively—[Interruption]—to my constituency, with which he has no concern whatever? [Interruption.] Does this not—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The House must allow the hon. Lady to make her point.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanThe hon. Member for Workington last Tuesday night on the radio was asking for vastly increased sums for research facilities. If he is to use these sums for research into other hon. Members' constituencies, will not this be an abuse of the taxpayers' money?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I listened to the hon. Member for Workington, who, I hope, will not pursue this private duel.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursI want only to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the courtesy that you have extended to me by explaining this highly important constitutional question. I was embarrassed by what happened, and I might add—for the benefit of the hon. Lady—that I was present at both of the debates to which she previously referred.