Points of Order

Freddie van Mierlo Excerpts

Wednesday 15th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. It is of the utmost importance that Ministers provide timely responses to Members. Those on the Government Front Bench will have heard his concerns, which I hope will be passed on to the relevant Minister. The hon. Member may also wish to raise them with the Leader of the House, who I know takes these matters very seriously, at business questions tomorrow.

[Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) (LD)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice on whether the Minister for Digital Government and Data, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray), may have given an incomplete answer that risks being seen as misleading the House. In a response to a question about cuts to funding for the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Minister noted:

“funding for STFC has not been cut.”—[Official Report, 1 July 2026; Vol. 788, c. 894.]

Yet it is only true that there are no cuts if we exclude funding for time-sensitive projects. This has led to confusion among my constituents who are affected by the cuts. Madam Deputy Speaker, could you advise me on how one may seek to ensure that Ministers communicate clearly on matters of such importance?

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will know that Ministers are responsible for the accuracy of their words in the Chamber. If a mistake has been made, I am sure a correction will be forthcoming. If the hon. Member wishes to probe the matter further, he may wish to seek alternative opportunities to question Ministers directly. The Clerks in the Table Office can advise him further.