§ As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
2.17 pm§ Mr. Frank Cook (Stockton, North)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is not my wish to delay proceedings in the House unduly, but I must seek your guidance and protection, as a custodian of the procedures of the House and guardian of the rights of Back Benchers, on a matter concerning the denial of access to information that I consider to be essential to the performance of my role as an elected representative.
I refer specifically to information relating to the report of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods, which was published on 10 April, and requires the response of the Department by the end of July. I consider that information essential to the formulation of any response. The report itself gives little information and lacks scientific reference. I approached the Library before noon on Thursday 24 April and asked it to provide me with some facts relating to the report. People in the Library set about the business of trying to get that information. After persistent telephone calls each day since then, speaking with the private secretary to the Minister with responsibility for this matter, I find that I am denied that information. This week we have heard justifiable criticism of the lack of information about the possible exposure to radiation of British subjects.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harold Walker)Order. The hon. Gentleman is unreasonably taking up private Members' time. His statement that the Library has not been supplied with information that he has tried to obtain from the Minister is not a matter for the Chair. The Chair is not responsible for Ministers' replies or non-replies.
§ Mr. CookFurther to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I simply wish to say that we complain about the denial of information, yet we are guilty of denying ourselves information. If you do not have the right to rule on this—
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman cannot argue in this way when we have private Members' business before the House. I have ruled that this is not a matter for the Chair.