On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Next week we mark St David’s day, and the relevant flag will fly on the parliamentary estate. Similarly, the relevant symbols fly on St George’s day and St Andrew’s day. However, this does not happen on St Patrick’s day, which occurs in three weeks’ time. I have raised this matter on numerous occasions inside and outside the Chamber. Mr Speaker kindly responded to my latest letter to him and said that responsibility with regard to this issue rests with both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I have written to both Departments and am awaiting a response. Has Mr Speaker received any indication from either Department of their intention to come to the House in advance of 17 March to indicate that this issue will be remedied as soon as possible? What might I do if they do not do that?
I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have received no notice from Ministers that they intend to make a statement on this matter. However, Ministers on the Front Bench will have heard his point of order. He is of course free to pursue the matter by other means, including parliamentary questions, on which he may wish to consult the Table Office.
(1 year, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today the House is to debate and vote on a vital issue that affects millions of our senior citizens: the winter fuel payment. If absentee Sinn Féin Members from Northern Ireland—who have received millions of pounds over recent years for not having done their job and not taking their seats—were to take their seats today and vote with many of us, including some Labour Members, the outcome might be different. Has the Speaker’s Office been informed that the seven Sinn Féin Members intend to take their seats in the House today and actually vote to oppose austerity, as opposed to just talking about it?
I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me notice of his point of order, but that is not a matter for the Chair.
Royal Assent