§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I know that you are in no way responsible for ministerial statements, or the lack of them, but I should like your guidance on a recent and controversial visit. I shall not dwell on the visit, as this is a point of order, but this is the first time that a South African Prime Minister has visited Britain for 23 years, and many of us deeply deplore it.
The visit has been the subject of much comment outside and I should have thought that the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary would take the first opportunity to make a statement to explain what happened and to answer questions. I am aware that there is a written question on the matter on the Order Paper, but what use is that, even to the hon. Member concerned, if one cannot ask a supplementary question?
Is it not an evasion of Prime Ministerial responsibility when such a visit occurs, bearing in mind subsequent events and the comments that were made on both sides of the argument, that right hon. and hon. Members have no opportunity to question the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary? I believe that to be deplorable and hope that you will give your guidance on it.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman answered his point of order at the beginning, when he said that I was not responsible for ministerial statements or for the answer that might be given later this afternoon. No doubt the matter will arise tomorrow.
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