§ Rev. Ian Paisley (Antrim, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your help, in view of the outrage that is felt in Northern Ireland, especially by the families of the Ulstermen who are serving in the Gulf conflict, about the threat issued by the governor of the Maze prison, Mr. Bill O'Loughlin, and the executive chairman of the Ulster Bus depot in Belfast that all workers who put up a solidarity poster, as issued in The Sun, will lose their jobs. Have you had a request, Mr. Speaker, from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or any of his Ministers about making a statement on this matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have not had any request for a statement to be made on this matter, but I am certain that what the hon. Gentleman has said will have been heard by Ministers on the Front Bench, and will be taken into account.
§ Mr. James Molyneaux (Lagan Valley)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Another aspect of this matter directly concerns Parliament. You will remember that Parliament passed the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) 1989 which established the Fair Employment Commission. I am sure that Parliament never intended that the commission should abuse its powers by supporting this utterly squalid campaign against Her Majesty's forces in the Gulf. Would it not be appropriate for a Minister to come to the House as soon as possible to make a statement about the anti-British, anti-forces attitude of this creature of the Government?
§ Mr. SpeakerAs I told the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley), this is a serious matter and I am sure that what has been said will have been heard by those on the Front Bench. However, I am afraid that it is not a matter for me.