§ Mr. Tim Devlin (Stockton, South)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The statement that we have just heard was timed for 3.30, and at exactly the same time the Government announced, at a press conference across the road in the Department of Health, the results of the inspection of Cleveland social services department. Members from the north such as myself and my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Holt) would 334 have liked to be present for both. Will you use your good offices to ask the Government not to put on important business relating to the north-east in two locations at the same time? If they do, Opposition Members will be able to raise spurious points about our absence in the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have considerable sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman has said, but it is no part of my responsibility to dictate to the Government whether they should have made two statements or one statement, or what they should do outside the House. I am sorry that I cannot help the hon. Gentleman.
Later—
§ Mr. Frank Cook (Stockton, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will already be aware that there was a press conference at 3.30 pm this afternoon relating to the social services inspectorate's report of the arrangements in Cleveland concerning child abuse. I am a Member of Parliament representing Cleveland constituents, yet I was informed of that press conference only at 26 minutes past three today, when I was planning to be in the Chamber for the bright and breezy announcement concerning North-East Shipbuilders. As the custodian of the proceedings of the House, are you not of the opinion that such matters should be brought to the House rather than be announced at press conferences, of which relevant Members are informed only four minutes before they begin?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf I were drawn into giving my opinion on such issues I should be in serious trouble. I am not responsible for matters of that kind.