§ Ms Harriet Harman (Peckham)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will you ask the Secretary of State for Employment to make a statement to the House today about part-time workers? We understand from the newspapers that later today, by way of a written answer, the Secretary of State will announce a change in the law relating to Britain's 6 million part-time workers. He should make a statement because part-time work is of growing importance to our economy, not only to the women who work part time in order to combine work and family responsibilities but to the growing number of men who work part time because they cannot get a full-time job. The Secretary of State should recognise that economic success will be achieved only if we have a well-motivated, confident work force rather than a growing number of people who feel insecure at work. He should make a statement to the House today.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThe hon. Lady knows that it is not in my power to demand that any Secretary of State or Minister come to the Chamber at any time. I therefore regret that I am unable to accede to her request.
§ Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerI hope that it is on a new subject.
§ Mr. FlynnIndeed, it is. I want to raise a matter with you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as you are a defender of the rights of Back Benchers. Last week, by way of answer to a parliamentary question in the Chamber, a decision was made that affects 1,000 jobs in my constituency. 1 believe that the same thing will happen today in relation to jobs at Companies house in Cardiff. Can we examine the way in which such matters are announced—
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerOrder. It is not for the House to anticipate what may or may not happen later today or later in the week. The hon. Gentleman is a Back Bencher, but he is taking up the time available to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson).