Housing (Scotland) Bill (Hansard, 29 March 1988)

HC Deb 29 March 1988 vol 130 cc920-1036 920

§ As amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.

5.27 pm

§ Mr. Norman Hogg (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth)
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. This afternoon, we had a statement from the Secretary of State for Scotland. We are becoming used to these statements because the Government in Scotland are struggling I do not understand why a massive number of civil servants from the Scottish Office seem to be necessary to assist with such statements. Is there some way in which the House can regulate who attends in an official capacity? This is an important point because some Opposition Members have no confidence in the Scottish Civil Service since—

§ Madam Deputy Speaker (Miss Betty Boothroyd)
Order. The hon. Member knows that no breach of order has been committed and that this is not a point of order for the Chair.

§ Mr. Hogg
Further to the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

§ Madam Deputy Speaker
Is it a fresh point of order?

§ Mr. Hogg
Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker. Surely, Members of the House regulate, through their Standing Orders, who attends the House. Is it appropriate for a Member to object to the presence of so many civil servants, brought here at great cost to the Scottish people, for little purpose?

§ Madam Deputy Speaker
That is not a point of order. There is no Standing Order that governs the attendance of such staff.

§ Mr. Hogg
Further to the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker—

§ Madam Deputy Speaker
Order. The hon. Member is delaying very important business concerned with housing in Scotland. Does he seek to make a fresh point of order —one with which I call deal?

§ Mr. Hogg
The point that I seek to make is that there must be some means of raising this matter. Let me leave it at that and I shall find some means of raising the matter on another occasion.

§ Madam Deputy Speaker
The hon. Member is a frequent attender in the Chamber. He could seek to raise the matter through an early-day motion or the Procedure Committee. I am sure that it is not beyond his wit to deal with this matter by other means.