Questions to Ministers (Hansard, 11 March 1986)

§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It arises out of defence questions. In your good judgment, Mr. Speaker, you called me twice to ask the same question concerning the visit of a most senior United States official to this country to obtain most sensitive information from British companies in relation to strategic defence initiative research. On the first question the answer from the Ministry of Defence Was, more or less—I do not think I do it an injustice—that it had nothing to do with the visit and that it was not a matter for the Ministry. When, fortunately, you called me a second time to ask the same question, the Secretary of State for Defence said, yes, the Ministry was now asking for a report on the visit of Mr. Clarence Robinson. A very serious issue arises—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. It appears to me that this is an extension of Question Time. The hon. Gentleman has put a point of order to me, but I have no knowledge of the gentleman.

§ Mr. Dalyell
This is a substantial issue. The point of order is whether Ministers should reveal the whole truth in answer to direct questions. For example, was Mr. Kenneth Hambledon sacked—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I do not know Mr. Kenneth Hambledon either. The answers to questions are not a matter for the Chair. The hon. Gentleman must not seek to embroil me in the answers to questions. Points of order must be on matters over which I have authority. I have no authority over whether this gentleman was invited to this country.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Is it within your recollection, Mr. Speaker, that you said on a previous occasion that you knew nothing of Miss Colette Bowe? Simply because you do not know that Mr. Kenneth Hambledon was sacked and removed as head of the SDI office does not mean that it is something which should not be explained to the House. Otherwise we will go ahead with the militarisation of space without elected Members of Parliament knowing what is going on.

§ Mr. Speaker
I think that the hon. Gentleman's points would make a very interesting debate under the Consolidated Fund. I will, try to be here then.

§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
On a point of order—

§ Mr. Speaker
Is it a point of order on which I can rule?

§ Mr. Skinner
Yes, it is absolutely genuine. Now that your ruling has been made, Mr. Speaker, about the previous business, which I shall not speak about, as different points of view have been expressed, may I take it that it will now be in order for Labour Members to table questions to the Government asking for costings of the programmes of separate sections of the Tory party, the Liberal programme, the SDP programme, those sewn up between them, and of all other groups in Parliament? If, as you have said, it is in order to do what has already been done, it must be in order for us to expose the SDP, the Liberals and every wing of the Tory party.

§ Mr. Speaker
That is a hypothetical matter, but if questions are tabled about programmes, and the Government have had them costed, they would be perfectly in order.