HC Deb 14 July 1994 vol 246 cc1198-9

5.9 pm

Mr. Roger Knapman (Stroud)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have given notice of this point of order to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain). Sadly, as you know, Madam Speaker, the hon. Gentleman cannot be present.

You will recall, Madam Speaker—who could forget?—the speech by the hon. Member for Neath last night. I draw attention to column 1124 of Hansard, where you, Madam Speaker, said: The hon. Member for Neath said that he would mention names, but that he had already let the Members concerned know that he was going to raise the matter. Is that quite clear? I have already been deceived once today in this House on that matter. Do I understand that the hon. Gentleman has informed Members?

Mr. Hain

I certainly have, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

Thank you."

Shortly after that, the hon. Member for Neath mentioned my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett), who, on a point of order, said: I was not advised by the hon. Gentleman that he would mention my situation. I think that he has breached the protocol of the House.

Madam Speaker

When did the hon. Member for Neath put the notices on the board?

Mr. Hain

I think that it was just after 10 o'clock, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

The hon. Member has been long enough in the House to know that the board closes at 10 o'clock.

Mr. Hain

I put them on the board. I was not sure when the debate was coming up. I put them on the board at the earliest opportunity that I had."

By column 1129, the situation was slightly different. The hon. Member for Neath said: It is my fault that I did not put notice on the board until just after 10 o'clock. Although I have been a Member for three years, I was not aware that there was a rigid rule that the board closed at 10 o'clock. That is my fault. I came in and presented the notice to the board and found that it was closed."—[Official Report, 13 July 1994; Vol. 246, c. 1124–29.] Those are two different versions, and it is difficult to see how both can be entirely correct.

Thanks to the diligence of our messengers, the board was open until 10.30 pm last night. If the hon. Gentleman's first statement was true and he went to the board at 10 pm, he could have presented his letters and they would have been stamped.

I have one of the envelopes, but I believe that the others are similar. It shows that it was stamped, not at the board but in the post office, at 1 am. Similarly, if the messengers say that they maintained the board until 10.30 pm, the statement that the hon. Member for Neath went there at 10 pm and found it closed also needs closer examination.

There is a distinct possibility that you, Madam Speaker, and the House deserve an apology from the hon. Member for Neath. I should be most grateful if you would look into the matter.

Madam Speaker

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. The entire House knows how anxious I am that right hon. and hon. Members inform other hon. Members about whom they propose to comment. I was most concerned by last night's exchanges and I will look into the matter that the hon. Gentleman raised.

During business questions, the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) made a remark about the right hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham). I take it that he notified the right hon. Gentleman that he intended to do so?

Mr. Anthony Coombs (Wyre Forest)

No, Madam Speaker, I did not. I apologise.

Madam Speaker

I take this opportunity to remind the House that I am proud to defend the robustness of exchanges in the House but I despair sometimes at the bad parliamentary manners and behaviour displayed by some hon. Members in all parts of the House. There is another week to go before the summer recess. I hope that, come Monday, I shall see some improvement.

Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will recall the frequent attempts to establish better facilities for Line of Route visitors. One suggestion is that they could use some of the facilities available in the banqueting rooms. Yesterday, the serious allegation was made that a Member of Parliament was offered a sum in excess of £10,000 a year to book banqueting rooms in the name of an unidentified body.

In the past, I have tabled parliamentary questions asking for lists of all companies that use the banqueting rooms in the names of hon. Members. That information has always been denied to me and to other hon. Members. In view of the seriousness of the allegation made yesterday and of another—that American visitors were buying places at banqueting room functions—will your office, Madam Speaker, undertake to publish the details that I have sought to ensure transparency and so that we all know what is happening in respect of banqueting room bookings?

Madam Speaker

That is barely a point of order for the Chair, but it is a serious point that might be referred to the Catering Committee.

Mr. Harry Barnes (Derbyshire, North-East)

Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. During business questions, my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), asked a question about bull bars. Today, in the European Legislation Sub-Committee on Road Safety, the Minister for Roads and Traffic gave the clearest sign that a statement about various traffic matters that is likely to include provisions relating to bull bars will be made next week. I am afraid that I did not get permission to mention his name.

Madam Speaker

Perhaps my remarks today will be taken to heart by all hon. Members present—and I hope that those who are not present will take the trouble to read Hansard and learn my views.