HC Deb 30 April 1991 vol 190 cc170-1
Mr. Speaker

By leave of the House, I shall put together the Questions on the four motions relating to statutory instruments.

Mrs. Alice Mahon (Halifax)

rose——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Lady must see that I am on my feet.

By leave of the House, I shall put together the Questions on the four motions relating to statutory instruments.

Ordered, That the Estate Agents (Specified Offences) (No. 2) Order 1991 (S.I., 1991, No. 1091) be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c. That the Estate Agents (Undesirable Practices) (No. 2) Order 1991 (S.I., 1991, No. 1032) be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c. That the draft Employment Codes of Practice (Revocation) Order 1991 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c. That the draft Veterinary Surgeons Qualifications (EEC Recognition) (German Democratic Republic Qualifications) Order 1991 be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.—[Mr. Chapman.]

Mr. Speaker

Now, what point of order can arise out of that matter?

Mrs. Mahon

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will you examine the Official Report? When you have done so, will you instruct the Secretary of State for Defence to issue an apology to me? He gravely impugned my character. He suggested that I was in some way unpatriotic, which is not true. I was criticising the Government—not the country, not the generosity of the British people and certainly not the bravery of our troops.

Several Hon. Members

rose——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Let me deal with one matter at a time, please. I must say to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) that I am sure that the Secretary of State would not make that allegation against any hon. Member. Many rough things are said in the Chamber. I am not responsible for answers or for questions, provided they are in order.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wonder whether you would give further consideration to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon). I take exactly the opposite view to her on the Gulf war, but she is an hon. Member of the utmost integrity. It would be extremely unfortunate if people gained a different impression from the Secretary of State. An apology is due to her.

Mr. Speaker

I say again, rough things are said here. I am sure that what the hon. Lady has alleged will be reported to the Secretary of State for Defence, and that if he has impugned the hon. Lady's honour, he will apologise to her.

Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Goodness me. We have a very busy day ahead of us.

Mr. Dalyell

It is true, Mr. Speaker, that many rough things are said in this Chamber, but what is entirely new is calculated rudeness in the answers that Ministers give to questions.

Mr. Speaker

As we approach an election—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—it is probably true that the temperature rises a bit in this place. Ten-minute Bill—Mr. Banks.

Mr. Dick Douglas (Dunfermline, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During Defence questions, certain questions were asked of the Secretary of Stale, and answered by the Under- Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, about the future of naval bases. The Prime Minister is in his place now, and has an opportunity to consider the co-ordination of policy in respect of that matter. It is extremely disturbing when Ministers make statements——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member is clearly attempting a continuation of Question Time under the guise of a point of order. We cannot deal with his point now.

Mr. Doug Hoyle (Warrington, North)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Did I hear you say, "As we approach an election"? If so, can you give us a date?

Mr. Speaker

It was unwise of me to express an opinion. Mr. Tony Banks.

Mr. Harry Ewing (Falkirk, East)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)

Mine will soon be a five-minute Bill.

Mr. Speaker

Is it a point of order for me, or about me?

Mr. Ewing

I always try to clear up misunderstandings, Mr. Speaker. When you referred to the onset of an election, did you have in mind a general election, or the election of a new Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

They are synonymous.