Thomas Docherty
Main Page: Thomas Docherty (Labour - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Mr Speaker
I am very grateful to the hon. Lady for her point of order. My responsibilities do not extend to the financing of the fight against wildlife crime and I do not think there is a matter for the Chair here. One could be forgiven for thinking that the hon. Lady was seeking to continue the debate that took place at Question Time, but that would be an uncharitable view for me to take. Knowing her as I do, I know that she would not engage in that sort of unworthy endeavour. She has put her thoughts on the record and if the Minister were here he could respond, but he is not, so he cannot.
Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. You will be aware, further to the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) made, of the disgraceful actions of Tory students at St Andrews university on Friday night when they burned an effigy of President Obama. The Courier newspaper has today reported that this action has failed to receive condemnation from the Tory leader and that it has received widespread coverage in the United States. On behalf of the people of Fife, may I make it clear that we absolutely condemn those actions? Has the Foreign Secretary indicated to you, Mr Speaker—
Mr Speaker
Order. I think we have heard enough. It was instructive for me to listen to what the hon. Gentleman had to say. Obviously, I have no responsibility for these matters, but the issue was aired a few moments ago and the Leader of the House’s response was absolutely explicit. As to what other members of the Government might or might not say or what statements on the subject could or could not be issued, that is not a matter for me. The hon. Gentleman is invariably like a dog with a bone and so I rather suspect he will pursue the matter if he feels so inclined, but I hope that he will not do so by trespassing on the time of the Backbench Business Committee.