Single Internal Market (Hansard, 18 April 1988)

§ Mr. Tony Blair (Sedgefield)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware that the Government today announced their proposals for the completion of the single internal market by 1992. The campaign was launched by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The issue is of immense importance to the country and to our constituents.
No statement is being made in the House or in the other place. Copies of the press release of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Prime Minister's speech are even now not yet available in the House of Commons Library. We have merely been summoned to a private briefing by the Secretary of State at Lancaster house, not even to a meeting in the Palace of Westminster.
I appreciate that you cannot force Ministers to make a statement, Mr. Speaker, but will you state again that the proper place, first and foremost, to announce matters of public policy is in the House and that not to do so is a gross and unreasonable discourtesy?

§ Mr. Speaker
That would certainly be the case if there were any change of policy.

§ Mr. Blair
There was.

§ Mr. Speaker
I recollect that the 1992 matter has been frequently mentioned in the House, and I am sure that it will be frequently mentioned between now and 1992.