§ Mr. Jerry Hayes (Harlow)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. May I first unreservedly apologise to the House, to you and to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister for not being in my place for Question 2 today. There is never any excuse for missing a question without giving notice. There is, however, a mitigating circumstance that I hope you will be kind enough to take into account. As you know, London Radio has just sacked 80 per cent. of its staff and I was summoned to a meeting that went on longer than I thought, but I do apologise.
§ Madam SpeakerI accept the hon. Gentleman's apology.
§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will have heard today that the European Court has sentenced the British taxpayer to pay compensation to the Spanish fishing fleet. That will obviously sit ill with British fishermen. You have also heard that Her Majesty's Government will raise that issue, properly, at the intergovernmental conference. The House would like to know what Her Majesty's Government could achieve by raising the issue at the IGC. Have you heard whether Her Majesty's Government wish to make a statement to the House? It is a matter of fundamental sovereignty about which the House should be informed before too long.
§ Madam SpeakerLet me answer the hon. Gentleman because it may be helpful. We have heard the Deputy Prime Minister in the exchanges today. As yet, I have not heard that the Government are seeking to make a 152 statement. As the news came in only about lunchtime, perhaps the Government are reflecting on the matter. We may hear something tomorrow.
§ Mr. BudgenFurther to that point of order, Madam Speaker.
§ Madam SpeakerI will not take any further points of order on this matter. It is not a point of order for me. I have dealt with it to the best of my ability. It is for the Government to make a statement and for the House to listen if one is made tomorrow.
§ Mrs. Margaret Ewing (Moray)rose—
§ Madam SpeakerI call Mrs. Ewing. I hope that it is not the same point of order.
§ Mrs. EwingOn a different point of order, Madam Speaker. It follows from your remark that the Government might be reflecting on the IGC issue and the common fisheries policy. I wonder therefore, given the Deputy Prime Minister's positive remark today, which we all responded to effectively, whether it would be possible for you to use your influence to ensure that a meeting occurs between the Deputy Prime Minister or others who are interested and Back-Bench Members who represent fishing industries to discuss the possibility of the CFP being put on the IGC agenda.
§ Madam SpeakerThat is not a matter for me. My point was that perhaps the Government are reflecting on the possibility of making a statement to the House now that the decision is known, so that the House may ask questions on the statement.