§ Mr. Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a statement in the House about the Government's spending plans for the next three years. Two weeks ago, the Chancellor told the International Monetary Fund that the growth assumptions on which those spending plans were based were wrong. Has the Chancellor requested an opportunity to present to the House a revised statement of the public finances? Is it not a contempt of the House that the only revised growth figure published by the Treasury for 1999 has been contained in spin-doctor briefings to selected journalists?
§ Madam SpeakerI have not been informed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he is seeking to make a statement today. No doubt those Ministers present will have noted the Opposition's interest in the matter and the request for a statement, and will pass the Opposition's views to the appropriate quarter.
§ Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Will you explain to me the reasons behind one of the great mysteries of the order of business of the House? About 18 months ago, an omission was made in the prayers that we say in the House. We have also heard that the ceremony for the state opening of Parliament will be changed. Today, as a regular attender of Prayers, I noticed many changes, probably beneficial, to their form. Why are changes to the ceremonial of the House not debated by Members? Some time ago, about 150 Members expressed their unhappiness with the form of the oath that we are obliged to take. Is not it right that such changes should be discussed by hon. Members?
§ Madam SpeakerAlong with my Chaplain, I thought that it was right to look at the prayers in the House, for which I have responsibility. At my request, the Chaplain brought some Members together from all parties to discuss the matter. Other Members were invited to submit their ideas and, indeed, I submitted my own. I thought that the prayers today were most appropriate to this modern age. I am not certain whether the hon. Gentleman was at Prayers, although I know he often is. I hope that all Members will look at our prayers, because I think they will find them most appropriate.
§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Hardly a day goes by without Members of Parliament being lectured by the media on our duties and responsibilities. You may have seen some of those articles. I realise that your responsibilities only extend as far as this Chamber—you would not want them to go further—but would it be possible for you to apply your authority to remind the media that the House sits on other occasions, not only on Wednesdays between 3 and 3.30 pm? The media seem to be unaware of that fact.
§ Madam SpeakerI am sure that they are thanking the hon. Gentleman for his point of order.
§ Mr. Michael Colvin (Romsey)Further to the point made by the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), 967 Madam Speaker. I am sure that hon. Members who were present earlier for Prayers may have arrived with some doubts but would have found the changes quite acceptable. You will recall, Madam Speaker, that our Chaplain used to come into the Chamber, take one look at the assembled Members and pray not for them but for the people whom they represented. What is it about the present Parliament that makes it so necessary to pray for Members, which we did not do previously?
§ Madam SpeakerI thought it absolutely right to say prayers not only for Members of Parliament but for everyone in a decision-making capacity in this country. We have to safeguard the livelihoods of people in this country, as well as internationally, and it is right to remind ourselves every day of our responsibilities in that direction. I hope that Members will read the prayers carefully and agree with what I have said.