§ Mr. Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Have the Government told you whether they intend to make a statement either on the current crisis—with all its attendant confusion—in our relations with Chile or on the outcome of the European summit in Austria? The Government are reported to have agreed at that meeting to a massive spending increase, to the harmonisation of taxes and to the integration of Europe's defences. However, there has been no communiquè and no press release on those agreements. Is not the House entitled to some information about what went on in Austria this weekend? Is it not a disgrace that Parliament is once again being treated with utter contempt by the Government?
§ Madam SpeakerI have not been informed by the Government that they are seeking at this stage to make a statement on either of those issues. As we shall today have a debate on the economy, perhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman will ask some of his questions during that debate—on which we are about to embark.
§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker.
§ Madam SpeakerNo, I shall take no further points of order on that matter. I have dealt with it.
§ Mr. Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. This morning, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions held a press conference at which it launched the important document on the response to climate change. However, there is not to be a statement on that response. I attempted to make arrangements for a member of our press department to attend the conference but was told that only journalists could attend. Therefore, not only will a statement not be made to the House, but we were not able to attend the conference to listen to the document being launched. Could we have your ruling and views on the matter, Madam Speaker?
§ Madam SpeakerYes, certainly. Although it is not for me to decide who is invited to press conferences, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that a written question on the matter was answered on Thursday, stating that the document was a consultative one—which is absolutely correct—and that it would be available in the Vote Office today. It is in the Vote Office today. I am quite satisfied that the Department has carried out all the correct procedures in dealing with a document that has the status of a consultation document.