Points of Order (Hansard, 31 January 1991)

§ Mr. Alistair Darling (Edinburgh, Central)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware that it has been announced that the cases against 30 Iraqi and Palestinian nationalists detained by the Home Secretary are to be heard during the next three days. These people have not been told of the case against them, except in general terms. They are not allowed legal representation and, even if the tribunal sat for ten hours a day—unusual in legal circles—there would be only about an hour for each case.
I wonder whether requests have been received for the Home Secretary to make a statement, because Britain has set itself high standards in the administration of justice, and natural justice demands that each case be given a thorough hearing. It is for the Home Secretary to maintain those standards, not to short-circuit them. I wonder whether, if a request is made for a statement, or if further explanation is forthcoming from the Government, you will facilitate such a statement.

§ Mr. Speaker
It is not for me to grant statements of that kind but for the Leader of the House, who is present and who, I am sure, has heard what has been said.

Several Hon. Members
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I called all four hon. Members previously, and they will have heard what I said about their other colleagues who wish to participate. However, I have to take points of order, so I shall take Mr. Ross first.

§ Mr. Ernie Ross (Dundee, West)
I hesitate to cause delay, but this is a serious matter. The lawyers of the people who will face tribunals, if they go ahead, this weekend will have to find support against the deportation orders from the period of 15, 16 or 17 years while those people were resident in this country, and they do not have enough time. The Home Secretary ought to come here to make a statement to reassure us that the high standards of justice that we expect in this country will be extended to those individuals.

§ Mr. Speaker
It would have been much more appropriate if matters of this sort had been raised with the Leader of the House during business questions, because he can answer those questions and I cannot answer them as points of order.

§ Mr. Robert Hughes (Aberdeen, North)
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
I hope that this is on something different.

§ Mr. Hughes
While I make no complaint, Mr. Speaker, that you quite properly called those hon. Members who rose during the Gulf debate and during business questions or that they raised issues then that they would have raised during the Gulf statement, could you consider those hon. Members who did not seek to rise during the Gulf statement but tried to raise matters during business questions and were not allowed to do so? Indeed, as you said, some of the issues being raised now could have been mentioned during business questions had there been time.

§ Mr. Speaker
That is a helpful suggestion, but I always keep a list of the names of the hon. Members who are called last in business questions so that they will at least be given some priority next time, even if they are not called first. Good luck.

§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is on that very matter.

§ Mr. Speaker
Oh, really?

§ Mr. Cryer
At the conclusion of the Gulf statement, Mr. Speaker, you said that you could not call half a dozen of us, but that there might be other opportunities. The opportunities are limited, however, because—understandably—so many hon. Members wish to speak. You often say in such circumstances that you will bear in mind those who have not been called when another statement is made on the same topic. I hope that you will be able to do that in the event of a future Gulf statement.

§ Mr. Speaker
I have already said that. Lastly, I call Mr. Spearing.

§ Mr. Nigel Spearing (Newham, South)
On an unavoidable point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will have heard the Leader of the House announce that, next Wednesday, European Standing Committee A would consider two matters: first, the matter that it started to consider yesterday, and, secondly, the question of milk quotas definition, which was referred to in the business statement and in questions.
Will the Leader of the House assure us that the second debate can indeed last for two and a half hours, as provided in Standing Orders? If he cannot give us that assurance, will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he will lay the necessary business motion to enable it to do so?

§ Mr. Speaker
What goes on in Standing Committees is not a matter for me, but I am sure that the Leader of the House has heard what the hon. Gentleman has said.