HC Deb 26 February 1992 vol 204 cc965-8

3.31 pm

Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, of which I have given the relevant Member notice. Has the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) asked leave to make a personal statement about the misstatements that he made at column 163 during last week's health questions regarding cataract operations in Bath? Those statements have been corrected today in The Times. They were wholly misleading, and it is quite wrong that Hansard should contain mistakes of that nature.

Mr. Speaker

I have not had any request of that sort—

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Nor am I responsible for answers given at Question Time.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I will take Sir David Steel.

Sir David Steel (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I hope that you will take it as a kindly gesture on the eve of your retirement if I offer you a map of Scotland. I happen to be one of only two Members representing the Borders region, yet you called a Member from outside that area earlier. I do not object to that, but, given that I was referred to in the Minister's answer, I do think I might have been called.

Mr. Speaker

I know that, but I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will understand that I had to have regard to the fact that his hon. Friend the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) had Question 14. At Scottish questions I try to get at least to Question 15, which we just achieved today. If I called every hon. Member with a constituency interest, on Question 4, for instance, I would have had to call about half a dozen from the Lothian region. It is just not possible.

Mr. Alexander Eadie (Midlothian)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As it now seems to be in order to complain, may I tell you that after 26 years in this House this was my last chance to have a say in Scottish Question Time. So I was surprised that you did not call me, given that I am one of the senior Members here and I made every endeavour to catch your eye. I wish you well in your retirement, but I am disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to be called on this occasion.

Mr. Speaker

I am sorry too. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to come and have a glass of Scottish wine with me some time.

Several Hon. Members

rose—[Laughter.]

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Port Glasgow)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Did you call Question 16 as the hon. Member for Lancaster (Dame E. Kellett-Bowman) shouted: On a point of order"? I thought that I heard you call Question 16.

Mr. Speaker

Actually, I did not. I had hoped to be able to do so, but my eye was caught by 3:31 on the clock, so it was not possible.

Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)

May I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that my point of order is not prompted by the very generous offer that you have just made? Many of us expected that it might have been made more widely, but never mind.

I raise a matter with you as guardian of the interests of all hon. Members. Officials of the British and Indian Governments are negotiating an extradition treaty. I am advised that the conclusion of a treaty is an act of state, but that, if the international obligations of such a treaty are to be capable of being enforced in the courts of this country, there must be an amendment to an existing Act of Parliament or statutory instrument giving effect to the provisions of any treaty.

As an extradition treaty between this country and India would have profound political repercussions, may I ask you to make inquiries into the matter to assure the House that, if such a treaty is signed, all hon. Members will have a proper opportunity to consider and debate the matter before any treaty is signed and before Parliament is dissolved?

Mr. Speaker

I am not aware of what the hon. Gentleman is alleging. I will certainly look into the matter—although it is, of course, a matter for the Government and not for me.

Mr. Tom Clarke (Monklands, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I refer to a disturbing report in The Guardian this morning, which was headed: "Ford switch to Germany may cost 1,200 UK jobs"?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is the point. The report says "may". It is a hypothetical question and not a matter of order for me now.

Mr. Clarke

With respect, the report says that Ford has confirmed that a study is taking place. My question—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman should raise the matter with the Government tomorrow at business questions, when he may well get an answer. Reports of discussions that may be about to take place are not a matter of order for me.

Mr. John McFall (Dumbarton)

May I draw to your attention, Mr. Speaker, the fact that I was not called at the last Scottish Question Time and that today, although I stood up for seven separate questions, I was yet again not called? This is a day for not being served. In the light of your offer to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie), may I say that my constituency is the home of Scotch whisky—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Indeed. Speaker's Choice whisky is based in Dumbarton. In the light of your treatment of me today, any potential offer of whisky on my part will be withdrawn.

Mr. Speaker

I was about to say to the hon. Gentleman that he was welcome to come as well, but could he kindly bring a sample with him?

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)

I wonder whether you can satisfy my curiosity—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Speaker

Let us get on with it. That is hypothetical too.

Mr. Winnick

You will know that there is invariably a Government statement on Opposition days. Sometimes you decide to limit the exchanges. Why is it that, whenever there is a Government motion down for debate, as there is today, there is never a statement? Is there any link?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for me. A large number of hon. Members wish to participate in the debate. Of course, the Opposition will seek to amend the Government's motion, so we shall debate that.

Mr. Dennis Canavan (Falkirk, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, during Scottish Question Time, the Minister, the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth), falsely accused me of moving my parliamentary base from Stirling to Falkirk. I have never in my parliamentary history had the privilege of representing the people of Stirling. The hon. Gentleman who made that false accusation will soon be deprived of that privilege.

Mr. Speaker

On that note, we shall move on to the ballot for notices of motions.