HC Deb 16 June 1986 vol 99 c759 3.33 pm
Mr. Peter Shore (Bethnal Green and Stepney)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. With the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary in Luxembourg, we understand why it has not been possible for a statement to be made today, but I take this opportunity to press the Leader of the House on the great desirability of having before the start of tomorrow's debate a statement by the Foreign Secretary on the report by the Eminent Persons Group, the crisis in South Africa and the result of his discussions with his colleagues in the European Council.

The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Biffen)

Further to the point of order. The right hon. Gentleman raised this matter with me during business questions last week and I undertook to draw the attention of my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary to his request. There have been some initial discussions through the usual channels about this. My right hon. and learned Friend will be able to inform the House about the response to the report from the Eminent Persons Group in his opening speech in the debate on South Africa tomorrow. If the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. and hon. Friends would like a statement to precede that debate, perhaps we could discuss the matter further through the usual channels.