§ Mr. Alan Williams (Swansea, West)I return to a point of order mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) about the fact that the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) had available to him a prior copy of the statement by the Minister. I raise the matter regardless of the fact that it may be a long-standing practice, as the hon. Gentleman might argue. It is a matter for the whole House. We should have a statement, not necessarily immediately but within a few days, from the Leader of the House on the present and future practice and criteria for making available advance copies of statements to hon. Members.
Many hon. Members, such as the hon. Gentleman, perfectly legitimately represent outside interests, whether professional, business or trade union interests. However, they do not have the same privilege of advance copies of statements, which is extended only to the Opposition Front Bench spokesman—or so we thought—because they must make substantial replies.
Will you, Mr. Speaker, clarify what it is that entitles this lobby to have this unsustainable advantage over all other outside interests and its representative to have priority over all other hon. Members?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have already dealt with this matter. I said that I shall look into it and must repeat that it seems unfair that any Back-Bench Member should have a copy of the statement if other Back Benchers do not. I shall look into the matter.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can I say with the greatest respect to you that I am a little surprised that you should already have apparently arrived at the conclusion that something is unfair before you have heard the facts of the matter from the hon. Member concerned? I merely say that in passing. I am sure that you intended no judgment in that respect but I would—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I must dispose of this matter. I do not think that we need go any further. I wish to be fair to all hon. Members. I shall certainly look into the matter and deal with it with total fairness.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you take steps, when considering this matter, also to examine another matter? When the police are mentioned, for example, in Prime Minister's Question Time invariably but not always the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) is called to put a supplementary question on behalf of the Police Federation which he represents. I would like an assurance that those hon. Members who represent mining areas, for examp1e, get an equal crack of the whip when miners are mentioned. Some of us have never yet been called. Perhaps you will consider that matter when you consider the other one.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is incorrect in saying that the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) is called more frequently at Prime Minister's Question Time.
§ Mr. SkinnerI have never been called this year.
§ Mr. SpeakerWell, keep trying.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have dealt with the matter and I shall not take any more points of order on it. I cannot make any judgment on a matter which I said that I will look into. How can I?