Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill
12:00 pm
Evan Harris (Science, Non-Departmental & Cross Departmental Responsibilities; Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
On a point of order, Mr. Illsley, of which I gave you and the Minister notice yesterday. Was it in order for the Minister to have left during our previous debate in the manner that he did? He did not say when we were discussing the amendments that he had to leave the Committee at 5.45 pm, or whenever it was. [Interruption.] This is a serious point of order and I should be grateful if the Minister would not laugh or smirk. It is an important matter.
The hon. Gentleman had an option to alert me to the fact that he would be leaving the Room. That would have given us the opportunity to manage our time so that we finished discussing the group of amendments and heard his response, and my reply to it, before he left. He did not do so, and it was not entirely clear from his remarks when he was leaving, although I understand and accept that as he sat down he said that he would have to go.
The main point is that knowing that the Minister could not be present to hear the response to his comments, he had the option not to make personal attacks and references to my conduct. Knowing that he would not be able to hear my response, let alone the next speaker as is the convention of the House, was it in order for him to make attacks on and claims about what I was saying which were irrelevant to the matters we were discussing, and then to leave in the way that he did? I accept that the Minister apologised to you, Mr. Illsley, but he made no advance apology to the rest of the Committee. That is not a satisfactory way to proceed in what is otherwise a relatively harmonious process.