Members (Declarations of Interest) (Hansard, 1 February 1984)

§ Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On Monday I raised with you the difference in status between a question and an answer. You ruled: That is a matter of interpretation. I shall look carefully at the hon. Member's points. On Thursday, the hon. Member asked me a different question. He is now distinguishing between what is an answer to a question and what is a parliamentary statement … I shall examine what the hon. Gentleman has said".— [Official Report, 30 January 1984; Vol. 53, c.29.] In the light of that ruling, I and my right hon. and hon. Friends are looking forward to a statement which you obviously intend to make, Mr. Speaker, based on fuller consideration of my point. I raise the matter today because I should like to draw your attention to a sentence in "Erskine May" which I believe has a direct bearing on my point of order. On page 436 of the 20th edition under the heading "Declaration in Other Proceedings of the House or its Committees" is the sentence: The asking of a supplementary question is the one oral proceeding in the House which does not require a declaration of interest. I wish to draw attention to the words, "the one" which are crucial to my point of order. I hope that they will be crucial to your ruling, Mr. Speaker, when you make it.