HC Deb 19 March 2001 vol 365 c21 3.31 pm
Mr. Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the statement made over the weekend on radio and television by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the likelihood that foot and mouth originated from the illegal importation of infected material, have you had a request for a statement by him to the House? The matter is extremely important and must be cleared up. Indeed, there is a need for a ban on the importation of all such meats from all countries that may be affected by foot and mouth.

Mr. Speaker

I have had no approach from the Minister.

Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In the past hour, the Minister for the Armed Forces and some other Ministers have given particularly long answers not to supplementary questions, but to the initial questions. They will have been reading those answers from their brief. Will you advise Ministers and their officials that such written answers should be shorter so that hon. Members can ask more supplementary questions?

Mr. Speaker

I could also advise some hon. Members that their questions should be shorter