§ Mr. SpeakerWe now come to the personal statement by the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt).
§ Mr. Tim Eggar (Enfield, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not wish to challenge your decision to proceed to other business, but you will be aware that some Conservative Members wish to make points on behalf of their constituents. In view of your decision to proceed, will you consider an application from me or one of my hon. Friends for an Adjournment debate, after the debate that has been interrupted, to discuss the rail dispute?
§ Mr. SpeakerI understand completely the anxiety of hon. Members, especially from the London area, who wish to advance their constituents' case this morning. However, I must bear in mind other statements and the time that we give to them. We have spent half an hour on today's statement. I have no doubt that if the strike proceeds there will be further statements or activity in the Chamber. I shall consider what the hon. Gentleman asks about the second Adjournment debate. I am not usually asked in public, but if it is possible to help I am willing to help. However, the present Adjournment debate may take up the full time.
§ Mr. Laurie Pavitt (Brent, South)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I wish to make a personal statement.
On Friday 19 February 1982 an objection was taken by the Chair on the Second Reading of my Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Bill. The House will recall that the previous Secretary of State gave me an undertaking that the Government would not block the Bill, so I knew that the objection was not from the Government Bench.
Shortly afterwards I received a letter from the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. Stevens) stating that I had issued a press statement naming him as the objector, assuring me that he had made no such objection and asking me publicly to clear him of any such allegation. Although I did not issue any press statement, I must admit that when questioned by the secretary of Action on Smoking and Health I said that, although it is difficult to locate voices in the Chamber, I had the impression that the objection was made by the hon. Member for Fulham, whom I knew to have previously expressed strong opposition to the Bill in the House. I refer to the Official Report of 9 May 1980, at columns 756–8.
I naturally accept the hon. Gentleman's statement that on this occasion he did not voice an objection. On receipt of his letter, I immediately contacted the secretary of Action on Smoking and Health who, I believe, then made it plain to others concerned that the objection was categorically denied by the hon. Member for Fulham.