§ Mr. Andrew Tyrie (Chichester)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have just picked up from the Vote Office the code for fiscal responsibility, which contains draft clauses from the Finance Bill. Is it in order for what is, in effect, part of the Budget to be published a day before the Budget? Is it right for this document to be leaked in the newspapers a day early? Today's Financial Times contains a long article about the document. Should not the Chancellor, at the very least, make a statement to the House about why this important part of his Budget has been released a day early?
§ Mr. Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. There has been a double discourtesy. First, the document, which is now available in the Vote Office, was yesterday comprehensively leaked by the Treasury to every newspaper and is mentioned in this morning's editions. Secondly, the document forms part of the Budget. The consultation document was issued as part of the pre-Budget report in November. This document is part of tomorrow's Budget, yet it was released with a written answer in the Vote Office at 3.30 pm. Is that in order, Madam Speaker? If not, do you deplore it?
§ Madam SpeakerThis is a most unusual point of order. Hon. Members usually complain that documents are not in the Vote Office. As I have not seen the document, I cannot make a judgment. I shall look at it.
§ Mr. Ken Maginnis (Fermanagh and South Tyrone)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. The response from 960 the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram), was most unsatisfactory. He seemed tacitly to admit that—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. I cannot take a further argument on that matter. The hon. Gentleman knows the procedures. If he is making the point that I think he is making, he should put it to me directly.
§ Mr. MaginnisI am grateful, Madam Speaker. In view of the Minister's most unsatisfactory answer to my question, I give notice that I intend to seek an Adjournment debate.