Clause 46 - Functions of Chief Inspector
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
9:30 am
Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings, Conservative)
On a point of order, Mr. Conway. I am sorry to interrupt the Committee's proceedings, but when we last met there was an unfortunate exchange between the Minister and my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt)—you were not in the Chair, although I know that you follow proceedings with
almost legendary diligence. The Minister made allegations about what my hon. Friend had said, and the wiser members of the Committee agreed that my hon. Friend should withdraw his remarks if the record bore out those allegations and that the Minister should do likewise if it did not. I was waiting for the Minister to speak, in the hope that he would withdraw his allegations.
The Minister also made remarks about the possible accuracy of the record:
''I will of course read the record. However, I heard what I heard, and words on the page do not always bear the implications that they clearly bore''.—[Official Report, Standing Committee F, 5 February 2002; c. 227.]
That rather casts doubt on the writers of the Official Report, which is unfortunate and something which I think the Minister will regret.
I know that the Minister is a reasonable and fair man, and that a reasonable and fair spirit has allowed the Committee to be productive. He has now had a chance to read the record, and, with your indulgence Mr. Conway, I simply wanted to give him the opportunity to put matters straight so that we could return to the equanimity and happy state that we previously enjoyed and which I hope that we shall enjoy again.