§ Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek your guidance. During questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Minister for Arts said in response to one of my hon. Friends that, when the Government announced their culture strategy last weekend, they did not simply hold a press conference, but arranged for a written parliamentary answer to be given. I understand that no such answer has been provided. Have you had any notification from the Minister that he intends to come before the House to apologise for and to explain that misinformation?
§ Madam SpeakerI doubt whether it was misinformation. I have had no communication from any Minister at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, but I shall read Hansard when it is printed.
§ Mr. Gerald Howarth (Aldershot)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. You will know that, on Wednesday, the House will debate the extremely important so-called modernisation—some may regard it as the destruction—of the procedures of the House. You will also know, better than most, that that debate will coincide with a very important event in the annual parliamentary calendar, namely the parliamentary carol service at St. Margaret's Church. Have you considered—if not, would you accept the suggestion—that given the importance of the debate and the importance of the event across the road, it would be appropriate to suspend the sitting of the House at that point? I am sure that you would agree that that would provide an opportunity not only for sober reflection, but to ponder the value of tradition.
§ Madam SpeakerIt is not in my thinking to suspend sittings of the House at that period. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to pursue the matter, perhaps he would do so through the usual channels. I hope that a great many hon. Members will wish to speak on Wednesday, and I shall follow the debate with a great deal of interest.