HC Deb 16 March 1999 vol 327 cc928-9 5.50 pm
Mr. William Cash (Stone)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This afternoon, during the Prime Minister's statement, he made an important statement with respect to a view that he attributed to me. This is an important matter, given that, no doubt, many millions of people were listening to or watching the statement relating to the European Commission and the crisis that it has created. He said with reference to me: He believes that Britain should not be a member of the European Union at all. That is his position. I have never made such a statement. I have never argued or stated that the United Kingdom should not be a member of the European Union, and I should be grateful if you would let me know whether you received a statement from the Prime Minister retracting that statement. If you have not done so, may I request that such a statement be made, retracting the allegation against me, and that it be placed on the record in the House of Commons, together with a personal apology?

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael J. Martin)

Order. The matter that the hon. Gentleman has raised is not one for the Chair, but he has helped to put the record straight anyway. The hon. Gentleman knows his way around the procedures of the House, and I am sure that he will be able to take up the matter with the Prime Minister personally.