Economy and Jobs

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Lord Hammond of Runnymede

Thursday 29th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

The hon. Lady has cleverly used her point of order to make the political point that she wished to make. I think she knows, as the House knows, that it is not a point that I can answer from the Chair. If, however, she is endeavouring to bring the Chancellor to be held account to the House, then I can tell her that that is exactly the process that we are currently undertaking. The Chancellor of Exchequer is here, and I am sure that the hon. Lady will be able to make her point in debate later in the day.

[Mr Hammond]

I give way to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman).

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I should say to the House, for the benefit of new Members, that there is a difference between an intervention in a debate and a point of order. The hon. Lady is being clever in using her wisdom about how the House works, but she knows that that was not a point of order, and that it is not something that I can answer. What she really wants to do is intervene on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

For the benefit of new Members of the House, let me make it clear that a point of order should not be used to make an intervention that the Chancellor has not taken. The Chancellor is perfectly capable of choosing the interventions that he wishes to take. He has taken many, and I am sure that he will take many more.

[Mr Hammond]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Horsham.