HC Deb 26 March 1998 vol 309 cc707-8 5.11 pm
Mr. Bernard Jenkin (North Essex)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Following my question to the Prime Minister yesterday about anti-corruption proceedings against the Lord Provost of Glasgow, the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) said that I had accused the Lord Provost of corruption, when in fact, as the Prime Minister confirmed in his answer, it was the Labour party in its proceedings which made that accusation. The hon. Lady said that I was saying things in the House that I dare not say outside for fear of being sued, and that my conduct was deplorable.

I know that you dealt with that point of order, Madam Speaker, but I want to draw your attention to the fact that I was not informed that the hon. Lady intended to raise that point of order, and I wondered whether you had dealt with that matter with her.

Mrs. Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill)

Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. I want to put on the record an apology for any offence given to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) in not notifying him that I intended to raise the matter. However, the Lord Provost of Glasgow has not been charged with or accused of corruption, but with impropriety under the Labour party's internal rules. Therefore, it was wrong to link corruption with the name of that man or my city.

Madam Speaker

I am not responsible for hon. Members' comments in the House, but I remind both hon. Members and the House that good temper and moderation are the characteristics of our parliamentary language, and that thought should remain with us at all times.

Mr. Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Have you had any indication of any inclination on the part of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to come to the House to make a statement about his advisory panel on the question of listed sports events? That is a matter of concern to all hon. Members. I and my fellow deputy chairmen of the all-party sports group from the Government party and the Liberal Democrats are all calling for a debate in Government time. In the light of the recent report to the Secretary of State, has the right hon. Gentleman given any indication of an intention to make such a statement, so that we can challenge the recommendations of that panel, with which we disagree?

Madam Speaker

No, I am not aware that the Secretary of State is seeking to make a statement. Had that been the case, we would have been informed earlier in the day.