– in the House of Commons at 12:32 pm on 10 April 2001.
Michael Fabricant
Conservative, Lichfield
12:32,
10 April 2001
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Despite Government assurances to the contrary, I have been receiving reports all morning from Gentleshaw in my Constituency and from elsewhere that people delivering census forms have been walking in sensitive areas—in farms and along country lanes—and so risking spreading foot and mouth disease still further in my part of Staffordshire. There must be some mechanism by which, if that continues throughout the recess, I can make formal contact with Government Departments to ensure either that Government guidelines are kept to—namely, that the forms are delivered by post—or, as I would prefer, given that the Prime Minister has decided to postpone the county elections for a month because of foot and mouth disease, that the census application forms will also be delayed for at least a month, or until the foot and mouth outbreak is over. What mechanisms are there during the recess, other than a phone call or letter, whereby I can report the transgressions that are spreading foot and mouth disease?
Michael Martin
Speaker of the House of Commons
I would say that phone calls are the best mechanism. There is nothing to beat a phone call in these circumstances.
Mr John Wilkinson
Conservative, Ruislip - Northwood
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As the custodian of our liberties, could you ask a Law Officer of the Crown to come to the House today to make a statement on the implications for British justice of the extraordinary conviction of a freedom-loving Englishman in Sunderland for selling produce in the measures of his birth? It is a matter of grave significance for freedoms in our country.
Michael Martin
Speaker of the House of Commons
That is not a point of order.
In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent
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A proposal for new legislation that is debated by Parliament.
Mr Dale Campbell-Savours
Labour, Workington