Point of Order

Stuart Anderson Excerpts

Wednesday 4th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Anderson (South Shropshire) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your advice on yesterday’s debate about a jobs tax on working people who are not working people—it depends on the definition of “working people.” The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury claimed that the Office for Budget Responsibility stated there was a cover-up by the previous Government. In column 203 of Hansard, we see the words used by the Minister: he said that the OBR used the words “cover-up” not once but twice. I have since checked with the OBR. It has not said this; I believe it is a creative use of words to suit a political narrative. Could you advise me on how I could bring the Minister to the House to correct the record?

[Mr Speaker]

If no one on the Government Front Bench wants to, I will deal with this. First, I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of the point of order. I understand that he has notified the Exchequer Secretary that he intended to refer to this matter in the Chamber, and I thank him for doing that. The Chair is not responsible for what Ministers say in the Chamber; that has historically been the case. However, he certainly has put the record straight in his view, and I am sure that those on the Treasury Bench will have noted his remarks, and will reflect on them. Let me put it that way.