Points of Order (Hansard, 3 February 2000)

§ Mr. Christopher Chope (Christchurch)
On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I do not know whether you have seen the report in today's press that the European Commission has issued a six-week consultation on a proposal to outlaw United Kingdom web addresses in this country. Would you be willing to respond on behalf of the House to that consultation, saying that, under no circumstances, are we prepared to give up our web address of www.parliament.uk.?

§ Madam Speaker
I have a short answer to that, which is no.

§ Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)
On a point of order, Madam Speaker. May I seek your guidance about the conduct of Treasury questions, which is, of course, a crucial means by which the legislature can hold the Executive to account? Did you notice, Madam Speaker, that, to the considerable regret of my right hon. and hon. Friends, the Paymaster General did not have a single opportunity to answer a question at Treasury questions? We felt considerable sympathy for her. Given that that appears to have been the result of the unexpected absence of the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) and of the legendary verbosity of the Chancellor in answering questions, I wonder whether your good offices could ensure that the hon. Lady is not so badly treated in future.

§ Madam Speaker
I know how popular the hon. Lady is, and I shall do my utmost to see that she has long periods of time at the Dispatch Box at the next Treasury questions.