§ 11.4 p.m.
§ Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. On the Order Paper there is item No. 2 entitled"The Community's Energy Policy ", which reads:
That this House takes note of European Commission Documents R/2311/78, R/2163/78 and R/2712/78, and endorses the Government's approach in pursuing the national interest and those of United Kingdom industries and consumers in discussion of these proposals.In the Vote Office there is a document of deposited business at the EEC Council. On that document we see that on Tuesday 27 March there is to be a meeting of the Energy Council concerning the business covered by the motion. I am seeking information whether there has been a request to make a business statement, either tonight or at some other time, because if the House is unable to debate the motion before next Monday evening the Government will not have fulfilled their obligation to bring such a motion to the House before a decision is made at the Council of Ministers.
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine)That is not a matter for me, although I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman's remarks will be noted in the right quarter.