§ 2.59 p.m.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, on a point of order, may I seek guidance from the noble Viscount the Leader of the House, or from the noble Lord the Government Chief Whip, relating to my submission of a Private Notice Question on what I was advised by eminent parliamentarians was a matter of urgency that the country should know about; namely, whether the sermon by the chairman of the Conservative Party, issued in the form of a press release from Conservative Central Office, constituted Government policy?
§ Viscount WhitelawMy Lords, I am here as Leader of your Lordships' House to serve your Lordships. I decided that this matter did not fall within the criteria normally applied to Private Notice Questions, and therefore I ruled that it should not be permitted.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, at a convenient moment after 3.30 this afternoon my noble friend the Leader of the House will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement which is to be made in another place on the Anglo-Irish Summit.
It may be for the convenience of the House if I announce that dinner will be available at the usual time for a Tuesday of 7.30 p.m.