§ Mr. Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I gave you advance notice of this point of order, which concerns an apparently well-sourced piece in today's edition of The Daily Telegraph. It is entitled "Prescott cuts housing quota", and it mentions a meeting today of the Fabian Society. Apparently, the Deputy Prime Minister intends to make some major pronouncements about his policy for new house building in the south-east, in the light of the report by Professor Crow and his team. The article states that the right hon. Gentleman apparently will increase very significantly the number of new houses to be built in the south-east, over and above the number already recommended by Serplan. Clearly, that will be of enormous concern to many people in the south-east, and to their elected representatives.
Have you had any request from the Deputy Prime Minister for an opportunity to make a statement in the House today? If not, do you agree that the right hon. Gentleman has shown a cavalier disrespect for the House?
§ Madam SpeakerI have not been informed by any Ministers that they are seeking to make a statement today on that issue. I certainly never make any comments on newspaper reports. I think that that is always wise, and a good line for any Speaker, Back Bencher or Minister to follow.
§ Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)On a point of order—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. I have not finished yet. I very seldom get a chance to speak in the House and, when I do, I am certainly not going to be interrupted by a Back Bencher on what may well be a bogus point of order when it comes.
However, the serious point is that Ministers and the House know that I am strongly of the view that policy announcements should be made in the House in the first instance. I very much hope that my comments will be borne in mind when Ministers finally reach a conclusion on this matter.
Now, Mr. Paterson, I will hear your point of order—and it had be better a good one, too.
§ Mr. PatersonMay I refer back to Question 6 in Health questions, Madam Speaker? The Secretary of State said that he would eat his hat if I could provide documentary evidence to back up the question that I had put to him. Page 63 of 22nd edition of "Erskine May" clearly states that
it is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity.I quote from a letter from the Shropshire local medical committee, which represents all the general practitioners in the county. The letter states:
no bed was available in Shropshire to admit acutely ill patients",s even thoughthis was a fairly normal winter, with the sort of seasonable rise in activity that is predictable and which should be coped with as a matter of routine.921 Would it be possible to call the Secretary of State back to the House, so that he can accurately answer my question, and possibly eat his hat at the same time?
§ Madam SpeakerI am not sure about any demonstration of hat eating, but the hon. Gentleman will know that I do not have the authority to call the Secretary of State back to the House. The hon. Gentleman asked the Secretary of State a question earlier, and I suggest that he tries to rephrase the matter and bring it to the attention of the House in general by means of questions or an early-day motion.