Points of Order

David Winnick Excerpts

Monday 28th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab)]

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman has served for well over 30 years in total, so I am sure that he will observe the precedent even more closely.

[Mr Winnick]

I note that you did not mention the exact years and months, Mr Speaker, and I am pleased about that. I wonder whether I might make a helpful suggestion, arising from what my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) has said from the Dispatch Box. In order to save parliamentary time on Tuesday, and in view of all the leaks that have occurred, would it not be helpful when the Chancellor stands up to make his autumn statement for him merely to say, “I refer hon. Members to the press releases that have already been issued over the past weekend”?

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I think it would be very sad if we were to reach that situation, but coming from an hon. Member who first came to the House in 1966, I have to say that there is more than a grain of truth and validity in that observation. Members should take account of it.