§
Ordered,
That European Community Document No. 6864/90, relating to a research programme in information technology, shall not stand referred to European Standing Committee B. —[Mr. Boswell.]
§ Mr. James Hill (Southampton, Test)May I raise a point of order, Mr. Speaker?
§ Mr. SpeakerNo, please.
§ Mr. HillYes, Mr. Speaker. I seldom raise points of order, but, after that statement, I must record the tragic death of one of my constituents who was held as a shield. He died of a heart attack in Iraq. There is still no knowledge of where he died. When we talk about the promises made by Saddam Hussein, we must not forget the terrible tragedy that he has inflicted on many British citizens.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have allowed the hon. Member to make that comment, in view of the sad occurrence that he mentioned.
§ Mr. Doug Hoyle (Warrington, North)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerNo. It was not a point of order.
§ Mr. SpeakerEverything is important.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am not irritated at all. Equally important are the 30 hon. Members who wish to participate in the next debate. Is the hon. Member's point of order more important than them?
§ Mr. HoyleI do not rise to my feet on a point of order very often—and yes, it is more important. At 12 noon today, one of my constituents heard that her husband was coming home. She heard that from the Iraqi ambassador himself. Although we have had the statement from the Foreign Secretary, can everything possible be done to get those people home to their families before Christmas? That is a very important point of order.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is of course very important.