§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Have you had any requests from the Foreign Office or the Ministry of Defence to make a statement on the justification for the use of graphite-based weapons in Yugoslavia to dismantle and disrupt electricity supplies? Has there been any consideration of the likely effect on Serb soldiers fighting in Kosovo and how they might react to what they hear is going on in their home towns? In particular, has any study been made of the effect of the policy not only on hospitals, but on the nuclear plant at Vinca; and of the possible radiation consequences of disrupting electricity safety supplies? Has there been any request for a statement on the concerns of the Bulgarian Government about their nuclear power station at Kozcoduy, where pollution in the Danube is creating problems with the coolant systems which the Bulgarians think could result—I am not saying that it would—in Chernobyl-like problems?
§ Mr. Tony Benn (Chesterfield)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. May I also seek your advice on nuclear safety? I have received a fax from one of the scientists at the nuclear science institute at Vinca, which has a research reactor that has not been used for 15 years but where there is a great deal of uranium 235. There is a possibility not only that it might be hit but that the electricity supplies may be disrupted, as my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) said, with the effect that the uranium would be released into the atmosphere. I plead with you to continue your good work, Madam Speaker, in trying to keep the House informed about the war. Apparently the Government do not think it necessary to inform us on a day-to-day basis.
§ Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. Have you received a request from the Prime Minister to make a statement to the House on his successful visit to Albania and his speech to the Albanian Parliament? Perhaps you might accept such a request in the light of the fact that I understand that throughout his visit, wherever he 704 has been, but particularly in the presence of refugees, everyone has congratulated him on his decision to be part of a NATO force to bring democracy to Kosovo and relieve the suffering of millions of people.
§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. So that there should be absolutely no misunderstanding, many of us are concerned about the effects of the bombing raids, but we also recognise that the way to stop them is for the President of Serbia to come to the negotiating table and agree to what NATO has asked.
You will know, Madam Speaker, that Westminster Hall is used on various occasions for dignitaries visiting both Houses. I mentioned in Business questions on Thursday the "Panorama" programme that showed the terrible crimes and atrocities committed against ethnic Albanians. Will there be an opportunity to use Westminster Hall to show that film and perhaps other films so that Members of both Houses can see what has been happening in Kosovo, see the crimes that have been committed, and see why it was necessary for military action to be taken? The reason has been explained on several occasions in the House.
§ Madam SpeakerThe last point is a matter for the Domestic Committees in the first instance and the hon. Gentleman may wish to put it to an appropriate Committee. I am of course anxious for the House to be kept informed on the other matters raised. I believe that the Government, too, are anxious that the House be kept informed about developments in Kosovo and the whole of that region. I have not been informed that any Minister seeks to make a statement. I am anxious for Ministers to do so and I am at the disposal of any Minister who wishes to make a statement.
I hope, however, that points of order will not be used to make political statements. I fear that it is coming to that. I understand the anxieties of all hon. Members. We all feel passionately one way or the other about the matter, but I ask them to use points of order simply to raise points about the order of business. As soon as a statement is available, I shall be here ready to deal with it. I am most anxious that the Government keep the House up to date on developments in that area.