HC Deb 26 April 1989 vol 151 cc969-71 4.37 pm
Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I raise a point of Table Office practice rather than "Erskine May"? A malicious habit has grown up among Ministers—one in particular—of claiming that she or he has answered questions when, in fact, no answer has been given. Yesterday, I had oral Question 92, which, alas, was not reached. It asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Leon Brittan cleared with No. 10 Downing street—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The question was not reached. The hon. Gentleman cannot ask it now.

Mr. Dalyell

It is not what you might expect, Mr. Speaker; it is rather different. The Prime Minister claimed that she had answered many times on this subject, but she had not. She could not have.

Mr. Speaker

What is the point of order for me in that? I am not accountable for the answers that are given to questions.

Mr. Dalyell

The point of order concerns a matter of Table Office practice and why the Table Office refuses questions that ask Ministers for specific references as to where they have answered questions that they claim to have answered. It is a matter for the Table Office. I know that you, Mr. Speaker, cannot make decisions now, but would you reflect on the matter for 24 hours and ask the Table Office and colleagues what should be done about references which have been properly asked for by parliamentary Questions?

Mr. Speaker

I will reflect.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett (Pembroke)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Before I give my point of order, may I thank you for calling me a second time on the statement? Obviously, my first question was not very memorable.

Could you confirm that hon. Members who wish to ask questions about statements, such as the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood), should be present to hear the statement?

Mr. Speaker

Let us not start a debate, but listen to what I say about the matter from the Chair.

Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you ensure that the record of Hansard shows that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food referred to Opposition Back-Bench questions as frivolous? As one of them was a question from me about the serious fraud and cheating that is going on in the CAP, it is important that people outside should know that the Minister does not take a serious attitude towards that important subject.

Mr. Merlyn Rees (Morley and Leeds, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You probably know that, over a period, a group of us on the Opposition Back Benches have complained in the proper quarter about the fact that we cannot hear properly because the acoustics of the chamber is not good. Very understandably, it was put to us that little could be done about it. However, the whole thing is made worse when Ministers, especially junior Ministers, pirouette—they talk not to the House, but turn round. Today was a prize example. It is foolish of them to behave in that way. Can we get an instruction to Ministers, especially junior Ministers, not to pretend that they are playing, for example, David Lloyd George?

Mr. Speaker

I am well aware of the problem with the acoustics. The right hon. Gentleman has drawn my attention to something which I already know about. The microphones have recently been replaced. Ministers should speak into them, and the whole House would then hear.

Mr. Frank Dobson (Holborn and St. Pancras)

Further to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett). My hon. Friend the Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) represents a distinguished agricultural constituency and has had a horse named after him, unlike Conservative Members. He was present during the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Even if my hon. Friend did not rise to speak, the hon. Member for Pembroke should withdraw his slur on him.

Mr. Speaker

I know that the hon. Gentleman was present and I am sorry that I could not call him. We have a very busy day ahead of us.

Mr. Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale)

For the benefit of Conservative Members, I have a constituency covering 1,000 square miles with a major agricultural—[Interruption.] I know more about the problems of farmers.

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Gentleman had been rising, I would have called him.