§ Ms Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Hi ghgate)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Today's newspapers carry reports of a press conference called yesterday by the Secretary of State for Transport at which he announced the Government's abandonment of their proposed takeover of part of the British Rail pension fund.
As existing British Rail pensioners and, indeed, employees of British Rail regard such a takeover as common theft on the part of the Government, and as you, Madam Speaker, have deprecated important statements on Government policy being made for the first time outside the confines of the House, is there anything that you can do to ask the Secretary of State for Transport to come to the Dispatch Box this morning and make the House privy to the Government's considerations with regard to the British Rail pensions fund which have caused enormous anxiety to pensioners and employees?
§ Madam SpeakerPerhaps I might draw the hon. Lady's attention to a question that was answered yesterday. It appears in column 237 of Hansard and relates directly to railway pensions. The Minister made a statement in that form.
§ Mr. Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of the reports on the radio and television this morning of Judge Stephen Tumim's conclusions on the appalling conditions in Cardiff prison, have you had any request from the Government to make a statement on the matter this morning?
§ Madam SpeakerI must inform the hon. Gentleman that no Minister has let me know that he wishes to make a statement this morning on that matter.