On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Did the Government indicate whether they would have made a statement on the Iranian oil deal rather than take up a great deal of time during Question Time? Many Questions, some with important local connotations, were not reached. Surely it would have been far better if the Government had made a statement on the Iranian oil deal so that we could have had proper questioning rather than—

Order. That is not a matter for me; it is for the Minister.

Further to that point of order—

Order. It was not a point of order.

On a point of order. As the person who tabled the Question, may I point out that it was suggested that perhaps the Minister would answer it at the end of Question Time. The Question referred to the Secretary of State's earlier talks at Teheran. It was purely fortuitous that it should have occurred at a time of more recent talks in Switzerland. In these circumstances, surely this should have been the subject of a Government statement.

I was informed by the hon. Gentleman approximately three minutes before his Question was reached that he was willing to take a certain course, by which time a number of my hon. Friends were waiting to ask supplementary questions.

Plainly this is not a question for me.