§ Mr. Michael Ancram (Devizes)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. As the guardian of the interests of Back Benchers, you will be aware that it is traditional to have a St. David's day debate around 1 March, when Welsh Members of Parliament may raise any issues relating to Wales. I am sure that it will not have escaped your notice that this year there is no arrangement or provision for such a debate. Today we shall consider the remaining stages of the Government of Wales Bill in Committee, which is hardly the same thing.
My point of order concerns whether you have received any explanation of why there is no such debate. If not, is the absence of a St. David's day debate not a massive and calculated insult to Wales? Does it not signal the beginning of the cynical and deliberate marginalisation of Welsh Members in the House that we predicted would follow devolution? Madam Speaker, as you are the defender of Back-Bench interests—not least those of Welsh Members—is that not something that you deplore?
§ Madam SpeakerThe business of the House is not a matter for me: the conduct of business of the House is my responsibility. This matter should have been referred to the usual channels some weeks ago. Indeed, it should have been pressed on the Leader of the House last Thursday during business questions. However, I notice that the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram), who leads for the Opposition in considering the Government of Wales 708 Bill, is proudly wearing his daffodil. I must be even-handed and note that the Secretary of State for Wales is doing likewise.
§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Whenever an international court rules against a country, it is surely a matter of some urgency and concern. Have you received any request from the Crown Office in Edinburgh or from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeking to make a statement of explanation about the ruling against our country, by 13 votes to two, brought down by the international judges in relation to Lockerbie? Has any such request been made?
§ Madam SpeakerI must inform the hon. Gentleman that no request of that nature has been put to me. To the best of my knowledge, no Minister is seeking to make a statement on that matter today.