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Points of Order

Volume 476: debated on Wednesday 4 June 2008

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I seek your guidance? Just after the Queen’s Speech, you made an announcement about the need for Members to abide by the parliamentary convention that they should not interfere in other Members’ constituencies. On 25 January, Lord Adonis came to my constituency and, on 1 February, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families also came. They both visited schools in my constituency. I was not made aware of the visits and I understand from leaflets that were put out in the constituency that they were there on the encouragement of Mr. Stephen Twigg, who wishes to unseat me at the next election.

That is not a point of order. However, I have said on previous occasions, and I reiterate it now, that when Ministers intend to come to a constituency, they should write to the hon. Member concerned and show them the courtesy of letting them know that they are going to be in the constituency. Of course, they do not need to ask the permission of a Member of Parliament to come into the constituency, but they must notify them. That is the convention, which should be adhered to. I will not be drawn into the argument about motives.

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. What advice applies to the Prime Minister when he visits a constituency to hold a meeting? Should the Prime Minister also notify us of his visit?