HC Deb 28 April 1998 vol 311 c145 3.32 pm
Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I know that the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), would not wish to be misunderstood or in any way to mislead the House. I respect that, but he said in response to my question that general practitioners in my area were happy with the settlement that they had received. I should like to assure him and you, Madam Speaker, that they are very unhappy.

Madam Speaker

That is not a point of order, but an abuse of a point of order. The hon. Gentleman should not be making that point to me as Speaker. I have no control over such matters.

Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will be as disturbed as the rest of us by the pictures on television of dead and dying children in the Sudan. Because of the considerable concern of our constituents, may we expect a ministerial statement on the matter in the next few days so that we can find out in detail what action the United Kingdom Government are taking to alleviate those terrible problems?

Madam Speaker

I have not been informed that the Government are seeking to make a statement. I have noticed what appears on television, and the hon. Lady has made her point. I believe that I am right in saying that tomorrow we have questions to the Department for International Development. I have not yet looked at the questions, but they may provide some opportunity for Ministers to be questioned on the matter.

Mr. Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. During yesterday's debate on amendment No. 2 to clause 30 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill, I was informed—

Madam Speaker

Order. I am sorry, but the situation arose in Committee when I was not in the Chair; therefore, it was not my responsibility. If the hon. Gentleman approaches the Chair when the House is in Committee, he may be able to seek some help.