§ Mrs. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You may have seen alarming reports in the press this weekend with headlines such as, "Ridley backs Third World aid to Soviets". Apparently the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is to press in the Cabinet for funds to be diverted from the world's poorest people to eastern Europe. If this is correct, Mr. Speaker, it is a most appalling suggestion. Britain is already—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not know whether the report is correct. What is the point of order for me?
§ Mrs. ClwydIf the reports are correct, Mr. Speaker, it is an appalling suggestion. Britain is already one of the most miserly aid donors in western Europe. The value of official development assistance to the Third world has dropped by a quarter since 1979.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. There is enormous pressure on time today because so many right hon. and hon. Members wish to participate in the debate on the Budget. I cannot answer the questions which the hon. Lady has put to me. I have not received a request for a statement. I am sure that what she has said will have been heard. The Leader of the house is present.
§ Mrs. ClwydI am coming to the request that I have for you, Mr. Speaker.
Given the considerable influence of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is unfair on the hon. Lady's colleagues. She is raising matters which have nothing to do with me. I cannot entertain her point of order; she has made her point.
§ Mrs. ClwydFurther to my point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerWhat is the point of order for me?
§ Mrs. ClwydIf you would allow me to finish, Mr. Speaker, I shall make that clear. I request a statement from the Government on what they intend to do in terms of the Third world budget.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sure that that has been heard by those who are sitting on the Government Front Bench.
§ Mr. Tony Benn (Chesterfield)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to ask your advice on something that touches upon a constitutional matter.
Over the weekend we heard that the Archbishop of Canterbury had announced his retirement. A new appointment would usually fall to be made by the Prime Minister under the procedures laid down. However, the House has an interest in this matter, which I have expressed both to you, Mr. Speaker, and in other ways. What I want to know simply is this: is it in order for a Member of Parliament to put a question to the Prime Minister on a matter that falls within the prerogative? Also, is it in order for me to raise this matter in the Adjournment debate tomorrow? If hon. Members were excluded from raising questions, not about the name but about the procedure, it would neutralise us and prevent us from raising matters of legitimate concern to the community.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not think that it is our practice to ask questions of the Prime Minister on the royal prerogative, but I am sure that, with a certain amount of sophistication, the right hon. Gentleman might make his point during the Adjournment motion tomorrow.
§ Mr. BennFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate your answer, but I had hoped that you would not feel it necessary to give an immediate decision. If the Prime Minister cannot be questioned on the exercise of powers that are entrusted to her by virtue of the fact that she is Prime Minister, this House is paralysed and cannot pursue matters that can be answered only by the Prime Minister under the arrangements governing relations with the Church of England.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes to table a question, he should go to the Table Office where advice on this matter will be given to him.