§ Mr. Bob Russell (Colchester)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to seek your guidance and draw to your attention and that of the House a matter that will be of interest and concern to all right hon. and hon. Members: impersonation of a Member of this House. A website has been set up in the name of Bob Russell MP. I assure you that it is not I who have set it up. Inquiries reveal that the website has been set up by a leading member of a political party in my constituency of which I am not a member. Can you guide Members on what can be done in a clear case of impersonation?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has been in correspondence with me about this matter, but I am grateful to him for raising it as a point of order because it enables me to place on record my strong disapproval of what has occurred. I do not expect officers or employees of political parties to seek to register on the internet names of members of other parties with a view to misleading the public who seek access to such members' websites. I expect all political parties represented in this House to take steps to ensure that no such activity is undertaken by them or on their behalf.
§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Since you were kind enough to call me during Prime Minister's questions, this point of order can hardly be interpreted as a point of grievance. I ask you to reflect over Christmas whether when the House agreed that Prime Minister's Question Time should last for 30 minutes on a Wednesday it was envisaged that, for 18 minutes, there would be what one might call a Punch and Judy show between the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister? A Leader of the Opposition surely has rights to question the Government, but would it not be better if, when feeling strongly on an issue, he tabled a private notice question, which, given that it was tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, you as Speaker would probably hardly refuse?
As I say, this is not a point of grievance because I was lucky enough to be called at Prime Minister's questions. That is why I am emboldened to raise the issue now. Is it not unfair on other Members, who, heaven knows, have few opportunities to question the Prime Minister, that such exchanges should go on quite so long? I am not complaining in any way about the Speaker; I really am not. The issue is whether the right to ask six questions, which you inherited, with long statements from the Leader of the Opposition on his policy, comprises the right way of going about parliamentary scrutiny. Could you reflect on that over Christmas?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman will remember that I made a statement before Prime Minister's Question Time recently in which I asked for short, sharp questions and short, sharp replies. I will not answer all the hon. Gentleman's points except to say that I am keen to be able to call more Back Benchers on both sides of the House during Prime Minister's Question Time. That might help the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. John Gummer (Suffolk, Coastal)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do you agree that it would be for the 377 good order of the House in the forthcoming debate for Members from parties that have received very large subventions from those who support and promote the Hunting Bill to announce that fact, particularly drawing attention to their interest in receiving further money as a result of the way in which they speak and vote on the Bill?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have no control over political parties, but all Members of Parliament know where their duties lie in respect of personal pecuniary interests: it is each hon. Member's duty to record such interests.
§ Dr. Nick Palmer (Broxtowe)Further to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell), Mr. Speaker. Do you agree that it is also undesirable for groups associated with a political party to attempt to hijack the websites of other political parties, as has happened in respect of www.newlabour.co.uk, which has been hijacked by a group of Conservatives? [Laughter.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Let me answer the hon. Gentleman. It takes me all my time to protect hon. Members, not political parties.