TNAG-2709-FCO40-3915-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-and-Par-1993 — Page 150

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Hong Kong

15 MARCH 1993

34

Points of Order

I have deliberately chosen my words very carefully. We want to enter into discussions, and I hope that the opportunity can now be taken.

Several Hon. Members rose—————

Madam Speaker: Order. We must now move on.

4.16 pm

Mr. Norman Hogg (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth): On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek your advice on an important matter for the House. It is certainly a proper point of order, and I shall be brief.

At the weekend the Scottish National party national executive met and passed a vote of confidence in the three Scottish Nationalist Members of Parliament, who are popularly known in Scotland as the "Wee Three". They had to vote for themselves, otherwise the motion of confidence would have been lost. What is really worrying is that three members of the cabinet have resigned over the matter that is, the cabinet of the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond). You may not be aware that he has a cabinet, Madam Speaker. The national executive has said that it will seek the development of emergency procedures for “greater consultation" between Members of Parliament and the national executive. Clearly it is intent on influencing, confining and coercing three Members of this House.

"Erskine May", chapter 5, states on page 69, among other things, that

"the House cannot perform its functions without unimpeded use of the services of its Members."

I believe that the national executive of the SNP is in breach of privilege, and that that is a matter on which I should write to you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order. I remind the hon. Gentleman and the House that, according to our procedures, as that matter concerns other hon. Members, he should have informed them of his concern.

Mr. Hogg: You know me very well, Madam Speaker. You can be assured that I wrote to the parliamentary leader of the Scottish National party-

Madam Speaker: Order. I am not seeking to enter into a debate; I made a comment. I take it that the hon. Member has advised the hon. Members concerned. I remind him-

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover): On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order. I have not finished; I am on my feet.

As the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mr. Hogg) said, it may well be a matter of contempt or privilege, and that being the case the hon. Gentleman should write to me about it.

Mr. Skinner rose-

Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) rose-

Madam Speaker: That is the end of the matter. There can be no further points of order on it. I have dealt with

it.

Mr. Skinner: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Is it a different point of order?

Mr. Skinner: Yes, it is.

Madam Speaker: In that case, I shall take it.

27 CD41/7 Job 2-6

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