James Cartlidge
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. You know how strongly the House feels about the Government’s decision on the Chagos islands. The Defence Secretary has made it very clear today that the Government know what the cost of that settlement will be to the Ministry of Defence. Many colleagues have repeatedly asked, through oral questions and written questions, what the cost will be. This is public money. Given that the Government refuse to tell us what the cost will be, can you advise us on how else we can probe to find out how much public money will be used?
Mr Speaker
The hon. Gentleman has certainly put that question on the record again, and I am sure the Secretary of State is listening very carefully. He may wish to respond—or perhaps not. I am sure the shadow Secretary of State will not give up at this stage and will find other ways to seek that information, which I am sure will be forthcoming at some point. I am sure he will continue to ask the question.