Points of Order

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ben Bradshaw

Thursday 6th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In Environment, Food and Rural Affairs questions we had the ludicrous spectacle of the farming Minister refusing to answer my question about the devastating impact on the cider industry of the Government’s proposal to have a minimum alcohol price because he has cider farms in his constituency. He was perfectly happy to answer numerous questions on dairy farming, beef farming and every other type of farming, which he also has in his constituency. Will you please seek clarification, Mr Deputy Speaker, from the permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this ludicrous ruling? Will Education Ministers not be allowed to answer questions because they have schools in their constituency? It is totally absurd.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

It is not for the Chair to decide who will answer a question from the Front Bench; it is for the Government. I am sure that people will have noticed the right hon. Gentleman’s point of order, and it will be on the record.

Points of Order

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ben Bradshaw

Thursday 28th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I will certainly bring that to the attention of the Speaker. You have got it on the record.

[Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In his statement, the Business Secretary said that the many questions that hon. Members had would be answered in the White Paper, but that document was not in the Vote Office when he stood up to make his statement and when most Members were already in the House. May I ask that when the Government make statements on White Papers in future, they ensure that Members of this House have the document before the Secretary of State stands up?

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I believe that what the right hon. Gentleman says is true, but the document is now available to Members.