Scottish Water Services (Hansard, 12 May 1993)

§ Mr. Andrew Welsh (Angus, East)
On a point of order, Madam Speaker. May I draw to your attention Government press briefings and press reports of a major policy statement about the privatisation of Scottish water services that is being made in Edinburgh today? Will you repeat your view that Government policy statements should be made in this House, especially when they concern services that affect every family in Scotland and more that 6,000 jobs?

§ Madam Speaker
If a statement of the nature of which the hon. Gentleman speaks has been made, of course I deprecate it. I am always anxious that information should be made available to this House in the first instance. As the hon. Gentleman says, it seems at present to be speculation. He should really have the facts before he raises such a point of order with me.

§ Mr. Welsh
Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. I have the press release here, which is headed.
Tories' Water U-turn—Sell-off Plan Dumped. It quotes a speech by a Government—

§ Madam Speaker
Order. I am not arguing with the hon. Gentleman, but what he is holding up appears to be a press report, not a press release.