§ Mr. Greville Janner (Leicester, West)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have given you notice of my point of order, which arises from my question on Monday about the Government's delay in opening the pit at Asfordby, in the Vale of Belvoir, and its effect on the employment of miners, many of whom are my constituents. The hon. Member for Leicestershire, North-West (Mr. Ashby), clearly and not for the first time, criticised my involvement in the matter on the basis that it was improper to raise matters about the employment of people outside one's own constituency.
On Monday the hon. Gentleman implied that I was misleading the House in saying that there were miners living in my constituency and that he was not aware that there were any. The headquarters of the National Union of Mineworkers and of the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers in Leicestershire are in his constituency, and had he taken the trouble to make inquiries from them, which he did not, he would have found that there are hundreds of miners living in my constituency. Whether he sees fit to apologise is a matter for him but will you, Mr. Speaker, tell me whether it is right for hon. Members to raise matters that affect the employment of their constituents — people whom they care for and represent—although that employment may not be in their constituencies'?
§ Mr. David Ashby (Leicestershire, North-West)If the hon. and learned Gentleman says that there are miners in Ins constituency, of course, I believe him—although I am surprised that those miners see fit to travel so far to work. However, that is not the point at issue. Since most of the coalfields and almost all of the pits that are being closed are in my constituency, it is unfortunate that he did not notify me of his intention to raise this difficult and sensitive subject. I regret that he asked the question without discussing it first with those most closely involved, and believe that he is the one who should apologise.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Tory Government think it right and proper to carry out a policy of mass unemployment, which causes distress in all constituencies. If it is right for Tory Members to render people unemployed in 1007 constituencies other than their own, what is wrong with my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) or another hon. Member trying to secure employment for his constituents and people elsewhere?
§ Mr. SpeakerFor the benefit of new Members, I should confirm that there is nothing contrary to the rules of the House in an hon. Member asking questions about, or otherwise pursuing matters concerning, the constituencies of other hon. Members. It often happens where matters of wide public interest are at issue, but it is courteous to inform the hon. Member representing the constituency concerned. As nothing during today's exchanges requires a response from the Chair, I cannot intervene.