National Insurance Surcharge (Hansard, 27 November 1980)

§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the official Opposition have asked for a statement from the Government on the national insurance surcharge. The Government have refused to make such a statement. That is not a matter for you, Mr. Speaker, though it is a disservice to the House.
Under Standing Order No. 8(3), you, Mr. Speaker, have the power to allow questions relating to matters of an urgent character, and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business. Will you allow a number of questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer under that Standing Order? It is one thing for the Chancellor to take part in a debate where he decides whether to allow any hon. Member to intervene and you, Mr. Speaker, and other occupants of the Chair will protect him from interventions to which he does not wish to give way, but it is quite another matter for the right hon. and learned Gentleman to make a statement, so that hon. Members can use their right, when called, to ask questions.
Since so many questions raised by my right hon. Friends the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy 579 Leader about the different views of the national insurance surcharge are still unresolved and no satisfactory answer has been given, I suggest that you, Mr. Speaker, allow the Chancellor of the Exchequer to begin our business by making a statement.

§ Mr. Speaker
I allowed the hon. Gentleman to pursue his point, but if he looks more carefully at the Standing Order he will see that such an application ought to be made before 12 o'clock.

§ Mr. Christopher Price (Lewisham, West)
On a point of order Mr. Speaker—

§ Mr. Speaker
Before taking the point of order, I should like to inform the hon. Gentleman that I have an enormous list of hon. Members who are hoping to speak today. Mr. Christopher Price.

§ Mr. Price
I do not want to delay the House. I think it is important that the House should be clear about the facts. My hon. Friend referred to Standing Order 8(3) on page 16—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I can see that the hon. Gentleman is trying. I do not propose to allow such questions. The House is ready, I believe, to come to the debate.