Points of Order (Hansard, 27 January 2004)

§ Mr. Simon Thomas (Ceredigion) (PC)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I refer to the report that has been delivered to 10 Downing street, as shown on our television screens. If that report—we Back Benchers will know about it tomorrow—says that the Prime Minister, any Minister or any hon. Member has in some way misled the House or lied, I seek your ruling on how we can respond to that report, either in debate or on a statement—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. There is a saying in Scotland, "The cares of tomorrow are for a day still to come."

§ Pete Wishart (North Tayside) (SNP)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I received a letter from No. 10 that states that only two Opposition parties will have early access to the Hutton report. The Conservatives and the Liberals will see the Hutton report some six hours before publication, yet that privilege will not be extended to all the parties in the House. What can you do to ensure equality for all Opposition parties in the House?

§ Mr. Speaker
I tell the hon. Gentleman that the leader of his party wrote to me, and I responded. Perhaps he should get in touch with the leader of his party.

§ Mr. Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On any day, let alone this day, is there anything whatever that you can do to protect us from bogus points of order by creeps? [Laughter.]

§ Mr. Speaker
The right hon. Gentleman's point of order was bogus in a sense.