HC Deb 19 April 1990 vol 170 cc1534-50
Mr. Dalyell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. By opting to go to Sandringham this afternoon rather than being in his place for Agriculture Question Time in the House of Commons, has not the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food got his priorities wrong? I admire much of the work of Prince Charles, and I have been a staunch supporter in difficult times of the European Community, but does the House agree that it is deeply unhelpful that the heir to the throne and a European Commissioner should consider that their business, however interesting and praiseworthy, should take precedence over a Minister's duty to be in the House of Commons for his own Question Time?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. David Curry)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I was going to explain in answer to the first question the reasons for my right hon. Friend's absence. As the House will recall, this Question Time was originally fixed for 5 April and my right hon. Friend, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and two European Commissioners— for agriculture and for environmental affairs—had a long-standing engagement today. My right hon. Friend hopes that the House will understand the importance of his keeping that engagement to deal with extremely important matters.

Mr. Speaker

I think we should get on.

  1. AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
      2. cc1534-5
    1. Beef Industry 420 words
      2. cc1535-6
    2. Food Hygiene 300 words
      3. c1536
    3. Sugar Beet 265 words
      4. cc1536-7
    4. Salmonella 558 words
      5. cc1537-8
    5. Fishing Industry 472 words
      6. cc1538-9
    6. Grain 487 words
      7. cc1539-40
    7. Eastern Europe 641 words
      8. cc1540-2
    8. Farm Animal Welfare Council 818 words
      9. cc1542-3
    9. Sheep Fanners 656 words
      10. cc1543-5
    10. National Farmers Union 634 words
      11. cc1545-6
    11. Horses 563 words
      12. c1546
    12. Parrots 241 words
  2. PRIME MINISTER
      3. cc1546-9
    1. Engagements 1,350 words
      2. cc1549-50
    2. EC Budget 523 words
      3. c1550
    3. Engagements 164 words