§ Mr. Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Last Friday, the penultimate question on the Order Paper was to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking him whether he would place in the Library a copy of the RUC code of conduct. The question was tabled late the day before by the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle). The Secretary of State, with the permission of the Chief Constable of the RUC, acceded to his hon. Friend's request.
This code of conduct—indeed, the conduct of the RUC as a whole—has been a point of considerable controversy in the House and in Northern Ireland. The code was issued to the RUC last October but, despite urgings from the Opposition and from the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights in Northern Ireland, the Government and the Chief Constable steadfastly refused to publish the document, which was meant to instil confidence in the administration of law and justice in Northern Ireland.
Last Friday, despite the question which was tabled, the RUC was reluctant to give the information to the press in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Members were already in their constituencies and the parties had not been informed of the Government's intention. No copies were available in the Lower Gallery until late in the afternoon. The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights in Belfast, although it has read about it in the newspapers, has yet to receive a copy of the code.
In the past, Mr. Speaker, you have frequently deprecated the attitudes of Governments and Ministers who place questions—avoiding controversy on the Floor of the House—when they have a complete change in policy. The Government have issued documents of controversy concerning the administration of law and justice in Northern Ireland, issues that they have dodged on the Floor of the House during the past six months. My point of order is this: how can you defend the rights of hon. Members to examine the Administration if they choose this method to avoid being questioned by Members with legitimate interests and, in particular, when they fail by their action to instil confidence in law and order in Northern Ireland but rather show that they are weakening it by their attitude?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am aware that this has been a matter of controversy in the House but, equally, I am not responsible for questions on the Order Paper or for questions that are answered. Nothing out of order has taken place.