Points of Order

George Osborne Excerpts

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I will hear the Chancellor the Exchequer on this matter, and then I will give a verdict.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. There was no pre-empting of the announcement. It was laid as a written statement one hour ago. I thought that it would be appropriate to illuminate the written statement in oral questions, as Ministers frequently do from the Dispatch Box. There is, of course, a debate on the economy this afternoon, during which we can answer questions. It relates to errors that took place in Northern Rock in 2008 that have affected a number of customers. Customers will be receiving letters from Northern Rock. As I said, I thought that it would be helpful to illuminate the details of the written statement, but apparently that is not the case.