HC Deb 01 July 1997 vol 297 cc109-10 3.31 pm
Mrs. Gillian Shephard (South-West Norfolk)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Yesterday, in response to the point of order raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram), you made it clear that you regarded freedom of speech as one of the most cherished privileges of parliamentary democracy. In the light of the confusion that still surrounds the freedom of speech permitted to some Welsh Labour Members, and given that the full facts of the matter have not been given to the House—or to you, as you said yesterday—and given the continued absence of the Secretary of State for Wales from the Dispatch Box to dispel the confusion and present the facts, do you think it appropriate that the matter should now be fully considered by the House authorities and, if necessary, by the Standards and Privileges Committee?

Madam Speaker

I have nothing further to add to what I said yesterday, and I stand firmly by the remarks that I made then.

Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. As, in the last Parliament, much progress was made in the battle against sleaze in the House, I note that there have been a couple of worrying incidents that require the House's attention. Last week, the fraud squad raided premises that had been provided for the Leader of the Opposition for his leadership campaign. I understand also that the company concerned made a financial donation.

We also know that another company, City Mortgage Corporation, whose business is to impoverish its tenants and which is run by a man most of us would fairly describe as a crook, has given £20,000 to the Leader of the Opposition. Should he not come here to clear the air and make a statement?

Madam Speaker

If the hon. Gentleman has any evidence that he feels should be put into the public domain, he should immediately let the Commissioner for Standards have it. That is why we have a Commissioner for Standards to investigate such matters. If the hon. Gentleman has anything, he should not use it across the Floor but should give all the information to the Commissioner, who will consider it.

Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex)

Further to the point of order made by my right hon. Friend the shadow Leader of the House, Madam Speaker, will you consider the following proposition? The other day—

Madam Speaker

Order. I do not consider propositions. I try to respond sensibly to points of order, which I did yesterday. My comments are in Hansard, and they stand. I have nothing further to add.

Mr. Soames

rose

Hon. Members

No.

Madam Speaker

Order. If it is a point of order, I must hear it.

Mr. Soames

I am sorry to push the matter further, but my point is related not to what you said yesterday but to the point made in the House last week—the fact that the Leader of the House kept saying that the Prime Minister was satisfied with the outcome of his inquiries in relation to the Secretary of State for Wales. I raised a point of order with you, saying that it was a matter not of whether the Prime Minister was satisfied with the inquiries, but of whether the House of Commons was satisfied with them.

The volume of questions and the points raised with you since business questions last week clearly show that the House is by no means satisfied with the answers that it has received. Is it not right that a more detailed response be given by the Secretary of State for Wales, so that the House may be satisfied that there have been no misunderstandings?

Several hon. Members

rose

Madam Speaker

Order. I will take no further points of order on this matter. Let me respond to the point that has been made. If the hon. Gentleman is not satisfied, he should try to pursue the matter in other ways. I have made my statement. If he wishes to pursue the matter, he might try to do so through the usual channels. I am not responsible for what hon. Members from any party say.

Several hon. Members

rose

Madam Speaker

Order. I will take no further points of order on this matter. I have dealt with it three or four times today and yesterday. As far as I am concerned, it is finished.