§ 4.6 pm
§ Mr. Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will be aware that two years ago tomorrow, in response to a written question, the Prime Minister altered the Government's position on answering questions about arms to Iraq. He said then that he would not answer any questions or make any comments on the Scott inquiry until its conclusions were published. Yesterday, in support of his Minister, he commented on the conclusions of the Scott inquiry. Would you inquire, Madam Speaker, whether the decision to block questions on that inquiry has now been lifted so that hon. Members like myself can pose questions on that important issue?
§ Madam SpeakerI have no doubt that the Table Office will be studying carefully the exchanges that took place to see what effect, if any, they should have on the tabling of future questions. I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that matter.
§ Mr. Don Touhig (Islwyn)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of the report published this morning, which reveals that smaller class sizes have been shown to improve children's education and the fact that a report from the National Commission on Education is due to be published next week calling for smaller class sizes, can you tell us whether you have received a request from the Secretary of State for Education to come to the House to make a statement on that matter?
§ Madam SpeakerPerhaps I should inform the hon. Gentleman that when a statement is to be made in the House that information appears on the annunciator by 1 o'clock, so the hon. Gentleman and the rest of us are already informed about that when the House sits.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. From time to time, when there is a leak from a document, the Government initiate some form of inquiry. I listened carefully to what the Prime Minister said today, as no doubt you did, Madam Speaker, and I wonder what steps can be taken if those of us who assume that the Government leaked their own document want to pursue the matter to a conclusion in the House?
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has been in the House long enough to know how to use the Order Paper to table parliamentary questions and questions to the Prime Minister, as well as early-day motions should he wish to pursue any such matter.