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§ Mr. Rod Richards (Clwyd, North-West)I seek your guidance, Madam Speaker, on a matter that has caused concern to my constituents and me. I wish to refer you to early-day motion 1726 on Benzodiazepine (Tranquilisers) Claims and Legal Aid. The sponsor of the early-day motion was the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng). I have notified him by letter that I would raise this matter, but I see that he is not in his place. My name appeared among the first six sponsors of the early-day motion. The Table Office told me by letter that the hon. Member for Brent, South took those names to the Table Office.
I did not give the hon. Member permission to use my name in that way, nor did he seek my permission to do so. How can an Opposition Member go to the Table Office and claim to have the support of a Conservative Member and, furthermore, take with him a document purporting to have my signature on it?
Early-day motions are read widely in the House and outside and if Members are allowed to get away with such activity it undermines that valued and valuable barometer of Back-Bench opinion.
§ Madam SpeakerI understand the hon. Gentleman's deep concern. It is the first intimation that I have had of the matter. I had no idea that he was about to raise it. If he will allow me, I shall look into it thoroughly, have it investigated, and be in touch with him.