Social Security Bill (Hansard, 20 May 1986)

§ Mr. Michael Meacher (Oldham, West)
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Just before midnight last night the Secretary of State for Social Services said that he was prepared to reconsider the mechanism for the payment of family credit. The Government resisted that change in Committee so this is a major change of direction and a major victory against the Government forced on them at the last moment by the unanimous opposition of women's organisations and employers and a full-scale Back-Bench revolt. The Secretary of State made the statement just a few minutes before the guillotine fell and there was no chance for the House to question him about his intention, especially about the terms of reference of the new consultative exercise. Have the Government unequivocally abandoned their universally rejected plans to pay family credit through the pay packet, and, if so, why are the CBI and the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses included in the organisations consulted?

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Harold Walker)
I thought that the hon. Gentleman was addressing me on a point of order and not the Minister on matters arising from the Bill.

§ Mr. Meacher
I apologise, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In view of the uncertainties, I ask you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to use your good offices to ensure that the Secretary of State makes a further statement to the House at the earliest opportunity in order to clarify his intentions and to answer questions about a matter that significantly affects the standard of living of millions of women.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
That is not a point of order or something that I should deal with. The Secretary of State and the Minister are both present, and I see that they are nodding to show that they take account of what the hon. Gentleman has said. In the course of the day's proceedings there may be an opportunity for the Minister to comment. We ought to deal with the matters before us.