Protection of Workers

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 30th October 2012 Commons Chamber

Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

[Mr Speaker]

We come now to the ten-minute rule motion. I call Mr Graeme Morrice.

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Not that “Graeme Morrice”. We have heard several times from the hon. Gentleman today and are enriched by the experience, but on this occasion I have Mr Graeme Morrice from Livingston in mind.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow South) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I do not want to try your patience, but I wonder whether you could offer me some advice on the circumstances in which a Minister has made not only a contentious statement but a statement that can be proved absolutely untrue. Taking a random example plucked from the air, a Minister might have said that the Queen’s Speech contained a specific measure, yet it turned out that that measure did not exist. Can you confirm that it would be entirely up to the Minister concerned to take responsibility for correcting the public record?

[Mr Speaker]

It is up to the Minister concerned to take responsibility for correcting the record. I hope that that is helpful to the hon. Gentleman.