§ Mrs. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I understand from the aid agencies that Ethiopia is threatened with a new famine even worse than that of 1984 in which 500,000 people starved to death. We were all moved at that time by pictures of dying children on television and the magnificent response to Bob Geldof's aid appeal.
The aid agencies are deeply worried—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. A point of order must be a matter for me, not a general one.
§ Mrs. ClwydI understand that the Minister for Overseas Development has today made a statement outside the House. In view of the House's concern about this desperate situation, we think it important that the Government should make a statement and give the House an opportunity to discuss the volume, quantity and type of aid that Ethiopia should receive.
§ Mr. Michael Morris (Northampton, South)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Allow me to deal with one point of order at a time. I think that the whole House listened with concern when this matter was mentioned on the news at lunchtime today, but it is not for me to call a Minister to make a statement about it. [Interruption.] Order. I am sure that what the hon. Lady has said has been heard by those on the Government Front Bench.
§ Mr. MorrisYou are right to say that a number of us heard that item on the news at 7 o'clock this morning. Is it not open to any Member of Parliament to ask for a private notice question before 12 noon?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman knows that that is not a matter which we ever discuss in the Chamber.