§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not customary for a representative of the Department for which ten-minute Bills are being proposed to be present throughout its hearing? I can recall this question being raised before when a previous Speaker recommended that a Minister representing the Department concerned should be here—of course, the Government cannot be forced—as a matter of courtesy, interest and potential support. I regret to note that a Minister from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has not been present for an important Bill which is supported by me and many of my hon. Friends and Conservative Members.
§ Mr. James Paice (Cambridgeshire, South-East)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is unfortunate that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and his junior Minister have been prevented from attending by other important duties. However, I am Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I shall ensure that he receives a full report on the Bill.
§ Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)On a completely different point of order, Mr. Speaker. It would be useful to have it on record that the absence of my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) when question 17 was called earlier and about which Conservative Members made a number of comments, was due to the fact that his wife, Claudia, gave birth to a baby today and he is looking after her.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt was chivalrous of the hon. Gentleman to draw that matter to the attention of the House. I am sure that the House wishes the parents and the baby well.