On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I assumed that, when members received ministerial replies to written questions, no other member would have access to the answer until it was printed in the next written answers report. On Tuesday at 5 pm, I received an answer to parliamentary question S2W-16538. Prior to that, I received a telephone call from a journalist querying why I had not issued a press release on the answer, as he had received one from a Lib Dem member at 3 pm. Given that I did not receive an e-mail giving the answer until 5 pm, will you investigate whether the answer was leaked to the member by a member of chamber office staff or by the Minister for Transport or a member of his staff? Will you confirm my understanding to be correct?
We will look into the matter. However, it relates primarily to the internal arrangements in the appropriate ministry. The Minister for Transport is here, and I am sure that he will reflect on the matter and respond to Mr Davidson in due course.
Meeting suspended until 14:15.
On resuming—
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