§ Sir Kenneth Lewis (Stamford and Spalding)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not know what this is about, but I want to make a protest in terms of House of Commons procedure. I object to statements at 10 o'clock at night.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do you not consider, Mr. Speaker, that on a matter of such importance, where the Government have acted in a sadistic and vindictive fashion, the Prime Minister should be answering questions—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. Fowlerrose—
§ Mr. Michael Welsh (Doncaster, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This is a serious issue that will deprive the people of my constituency of certain moneys. It is important that we should debate the issue rather than receiving a statement. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, not to accept the statement. Let us debate the issue so the kiddies in my area will realise what the Government are doing.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe matter is not debatable as such. I understand that a statement was especially asked for, and that is what we are about to hear.
§ Mr. FowlerWith permission, Mr. Speaker, I shall make a statement on the deduction made from benefit payable to the dependants of those involved in a trade dispute. In accordance with section 6(2) of the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980, I today made an order stating that the specified sum under section 6(1)(b) of the Act will, with effect from 26 November 1984, be £16.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. [Interruption.] Order. I ask the House to allow the Secretary of State to make his statement. None of us knows what is in it. It is no good shouting at him.
§ Mr. FowlerThe specified sum is that amount by which the supplementary benefit provided for the 386 dependants of people involved in a trade dispute is reduced. The uprating of the specified sum is a statutory requirement and—
§ Mr. FowlerAnd the formula by which the—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. Terry Fields (Liverpool, Broadgreen)Animals. [Interruption.]
§ Grave disorder having arisen, MR. SPEAKER, pursuant to Standing Order No. 27 (Power of Mr. Speaker to adjourn House or suspend sitting), suspended the sitting of the House for 10 minutes.
§ Sitting suspended at 10.16 pm
10.26 pm§ MR. SPEAKER resumed the Chair.
§ Mr. SpeakerI say to those hon. Members who are standing in front of the Table that this statement was specially asked for by the Opposition, and the House has a right to hear it. I ask those hon. Members, and those hon. Members who are standing by the Mace, please to resume their seats.
§ Mr. NellistIt is not going to affect the Secretary of State's family.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is a place where we argue out our differences. This kind of behaviour is quite intolerable.
§ Mr. Terry FieldsWe are standing up for millions of workers.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder! I am not prepared to have an argument from hon. Gentlemen standing at the Table. I appeal to them once more.
§ Mr. NellistIt is not going to affect his family.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder! This statement was asked for by the Opposition and, in my discretion, I granted it. I ask hon. Members now to resume their seats.
§ Grave disorder having arisen, MR. SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 27 (Power of Mr. Speaker to adjourn House or suspend sitting).
§ Adjourned at twenty-seven minutes past Ten o'clock.