Members' Interests (Hansard, 14 June 1988)

§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It has been reported in the British press that a financial matter has been raised in the South African Parliament concerning an hon. Member of this House. I have given the hon. Member notice that I wish to raise the matter with you. It concerns a hotel bill for £700, and the Speaker of the South African Parliament has said that that sum will be paid by the South African authorities. This matter concerns the hon. Member for Luton, North (Mr. Carlisle). I should like your ruling on the Register of Members' Interests.
I went to the Library to find out about this matter and discovered that the latest information regarding the hon. Member for Luton, North——

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I must stop the hon. Gentleman. This is not a matter for me. He should raise it with the Select Committee on Members' Interests, which was specifically set up to deal with such matters.

§ Mr. Winnick
I note what you say, Mr. Speaker. My other question does not concern Members' interests. It relates to the declaration of interests. Clearly trips have been paid for by a foreign Government and an hon. Member has received hospitality. The hon. Member for Luton, North frequently speaks about South Africa and gives the regime's point of view. Therefore, should we not reach the conclusion that his views reflect those of the regime which pays for his various trips, hotel bills, and the rest of it?

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Gentleman should pursue this matter with the Select Committee.

§ Mr. John Carlisle (Luton, North)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winmck) to cast such aspersions across the Floor of the House? He says that I speak for the South African regime. That is an aspersion on my character. Also staying at that luxury hotel in South Africa, I should mention that Mr. James Robbins of the BBC spent most of his time lying by the pool. He was there at British licence payers' expense—at our expense—not at the South African Government's expense.

§ Mr. Speaker
This is not a matter for this Chamber.