HC Deb 09 February 2004 vol 417 c1145 4.57 pm
Mr. Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan) (SNP)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. We read in the Scottish press this morning that the Secretary of State for Scotland is about to announce the acceleration of an all-party commission to investigate the various electoral systems in Scotland. Given Mr. Speaker's many strictures on such matters, would it not be usual to have the consultation and then the announcement in Parliament, as opposed to having the announcement in the press and then the consultation?

Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal)

That is not a point of order for the Chair. We are about to begin the main business of the day.