§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ That the Resolution of the House of 20th March 1998 on the bicycle allowance be rescinded and the following provision be made in its place:
§ (1) That, in the opinion of this House, provision should be made as from 1st April 2004 with respect to the rates of mileage allowance payable to Members in respect of journeys by motorcycle, scooter or bicycle for which if undertaken by car, the car mileage allowance would be payable,
§ by Members, or
§ by spouses, children or employees paid from the staffing allowance;
§ (2) In respect of journeys by motorcycle or scooter, a motorcycle mileage allowance shall be payable at the same rate as the motorcycle mileage rate approved by the Inland Revenue and then in force;
§ (3) In respect of journeys by bicycle, a bicycle mileage allowance shall be payable at the same rate as the bicycle mileage rate approved by the Inland Revenue and then in force.—[Vernon Coaker.]
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Mr. Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan) (SNP)On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Have you had any indication that the Government will make a statement about, first, the resignation of Mr. Greg Dyke as director-general of the BBC, especially concerning the procedures that will be employed with regard to the appointment of a new chairman and director-general of the corporation to ensure the independence of the BBC, which many of us value and over which there is a question mark at present? Secondly, have you heard, Mr. Deputy Speaker, whether there will be a statement on whether the honourable culture of resignation after mistakes are made in bodies for which people are responsible will extend to the higher echelons of Government if it transpires that no weapons of mass destruction are found in Iraq?
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord)I have no knowledge that any such statement is proposed to be made to the House.