HC Deb 22 October 1979 vol 972 cc46-7
Mr. Harry Ewing

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. First, I apologise for the late notice that I gave you of my intention to raise this matter. Earlier I advised the Department of Industry that I intended to raise this matter.

My point of order concerns a statement made by the Secretary of State for Industry early in September when he indicated that he accepted the Carter committee's proposals to split the Post Office into two businesses. Following that statement, the chairman of the Post Office Board, Sir William Barlow—according to Sir William, with the support and encouragement of the Secretary of State for Industry—has begun to take steps to split the Post Office in anticipation of the legislation being tabled.

I suggest that this is a very important matter for the House of Commons, not particularly because of the issue involved but because of the action now being taken by the chairman of the Post Office Board with the support of the Secretary of State for Industry.

I have in my hand a document circulated to members of the Post Office Board by the chairman, in which he outlines his intention to establish the two businesses by the summer of 1980—next year.

The important point is that, according to the chairman, he has been advised by the Secretary of State for Industry that the legislation will not be introduced during this Session but will be contained in the Queen's Speech for introduction in the next Session with Royal Assent towards the middle of 1981.

The position will be that in late 1980—say, November 1980, the start of the new Session—the House will be presented with legislation which will relate to a fait accompli because of the action of the chairman of the Post Office Board.

In my estimation, the point that I have raised is both complex and very important for the House of Commons. For that reason, I should not expect you, Mr. Speaker, to rule on it today. Therefore, I should be happy if you would agree to consider the matter and give your ruling at a later date.

Mr. Speaker

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. I readily accede to his request to look into the matter and to make a statement to the House not today but in the near future. I should mislead the House if I did not indicate that I have serious doubts at this moment, before I look into it, whether it is a matter for me, but I shall look into it very carefully.