§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Leader of the House said that he would pass on to the Secretary of State for Energy my request during business questions for a statement to be made on electricity prices. This issue is of great concern to our constituents. It is being read about in the press and covered by the media, and I should have thought it only courteous of the Secretary of State for Energy to make a statement, although I know that energy questions will be dealt with on Monday. However, this incident is one more illustration of the way in which the House is being treated with disrespect. An important matter is not being put before the House. I should have thought that the Secretary of State for Energy would use the very first opportunity to explain the Cabinet's decision to force up energy prices next year.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have no knowledge of any statement, and may not have knowledge of one until 10 am. As the hon. Gentleman has correctly said, there are energy questions on Monday and no doubt the matter can be dealt with then.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understand that you have not as yet heard anything about a statement, or about the row that is going on in the Cabinet between the Secretary of State for Energy and other Ministers. You will recall that last week an attempt was made at this very same time to secure an answer from the Dispatch Box, and as a result of the efforts that were made—no doubt you yourself played a small role — we managed to get the Minister to the Dispatch Box. There is a big row going on between the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy, and it is important that the Prime Minister should let the nation know whether the right hon. Gentleman has resigned or been sacked by her.
§ Mr. SpeakerI think that I shall content myself with saying that I have no knowledge of any rows in the Cabinet or anywhere else.