§ Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am sorry to raise the issue again, but you will recall that yesterday I raised a point of order on whether Ministers had told you that they intended to come to the House to be questioned on insider dealing in the shares of the Go Ahead Group—a company that has bid for the franchise of the north-east rail network. In the light of that point of order and the intervention of my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Bayley), have Ministers told you whether they intend to make a statement to the House? Some of us believe that Ministers should be questioned and want to know why that company remains in the bidding procedure, with announcements due to be made later this week.
§ Madam SpeakerNo Ministers have indicated to me that they are seeking to make a statement today on that issue or any other.
§ Mr. David Shaw (Dover)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will have seen that, according to certain press reports during the past week, the Labour party has recruited a man called Andrew Sholl from Australia to dig for dirt on Conservative candidates. He used to be employed by the National Media Liaison Service—a group in Australia known as "the animals". This person has also been involved in a quite serious financial scandal in Australia, which was called "the sandwich-shop affair". Indeed, he was forced to help the Minister for whom he worked in Australia to resign from office as a result. Should not my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary make a statement on how the Labour party is allowed to import such low-life people from Australia?
§ Madam SpeakerWho the Conservative party or the Labour party employs is certainly not my concern. I have far too much to do here and much more important things than that to worry about.
§ Mr. Gerald Bermingham (St. Helens, South)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will recall that, last night, Government business terminated at 10 o'clock because of the failure of their managers to move the 10 o'clock business motion. As a result, the Home Secretary has—naturally—deemed it wise to criticise all hon. Members for not wanting to carry the Bill through, thus denying protection to citizens of this country. Should he not be brought before the House and asked to apologise to hon. Members, as his own party's actions led to the cessation of business?
§ Madam SpeakerThe procedures last night were properly carried out. I was in the Chair to see that they were conducted correctly.