HC Deb 07 November 2000 vol 356 c171

4.7 pm

Mrs. Ann Cryer (Keighley)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I correct a comment that I made yesterday following the statement on floods? I am delighted to say that Yorkshire Electricity has assured me that it will not levy any charge on victims of the floods who have had to be reconnected. My constituents at Stockbridge should refuse to pay any future reconnection fees and should report such requests to the West Yorkshire police.

Mr. Ben Bradshaw (Exeter)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not totally out of order for a Member of the House to stand by your Chair and harangue you in the middle of Foreign Office questions, thereby disrupting a very important question on Iraq? For how long will that Member be banished? Will you make it plain that you will no longer stand for such bully-boy tactics?

Mr. Speaker

I have dealt with the matter.

Mr. Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. With reference to the forthcoming business, some hon. Members find the motion on the business of the House somewhat opaque. It would help the House enormously if you could give an idea of how business will be conducted. Irrespective of whether the House agrees to the business motion—I hope that it will not—do you propose that debates should be structured, or should different elements of the motions and the amendments be dealt with separately?

Mr. Speaker

I have been very good to the right hon. Gentleman—two of his amendments have been selected for consideration. I intend to make a statement that will explain the structure, which will be fair to all concerned and will, I think, satisfy the right hon. Gentleman.