§ 3.7 p.m.
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House to know that my noble friend Lord Trefgarne has withdrawn his Unstarred Question on the level of official support available to British exporters.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, I wonder whether we may have some elucidation of that. It is a little unfortunate that noble Lords will have come to the House today —probably not many, but my noble friend Lord Ezra is certainly one—anticipating that this matter would be debated later this afternoon. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that an Unstarred Question should be withdrawn on a day when there is very little business other than that, and that noble Lords who have come to the House intending to speak have found that they cannot do so until some unspecified time in the future.
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, the fact that my noble friend Lord Trefgarne has withdrawn his Unstarred Question is entirely a matter 343 for the noble Lord himself. As I understand it, all noble Lords who had their names down to speak were informed through the usual channels.