HC Deb 18 March 1991 vol 188 cc20-2
Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This gesture that we are being asked to enact has been presented by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary—

Mr. Speaker

The Bill?

Mr. Marlow

This gesture here, the War Crimes Bill.

Mr. Speaker

We have not reached the Bill yet.

Mr. Marlow

It has been presented by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and is supported by a Mr. Secretary Hurst. He is a non-existent Minister—a phantom Secretary of State. One can understand why ordinary flesh-and-blood Ministers may be reluctant to support such a measure, but is it in order for the House to debate legislation that has so obviously been printed by a poltergeist?

Mr. Speaker

My copy says "Mr. Secretary Hurd".

Mr. Marlow

On my copy, it says "Mr. Secretary Hurd"—and that is correct— Mr. Secretary King, Mr. Secretary Brooke, Mr. Secretary Hurst", and so on. I have looked carefully at the list of Members of this House and of the other place, and I cannot find a Mr. Secretary Hurst. Perhaps there is a Secretary of State who is in neither House.

Mr. Speaker

I think that it is a misprint for "Hunt". I will ensure that it is corrected.