On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Twenty minutes ago, I raised a point of order about a statement by the Executive.
I am in a position to answer that point of order, Mr Neil.
The Minister for Parliament is in the chamber. Can he tell us why the press knew about half an hour ago that there was to be an Executive statement, while members did not? Is it intended that that statement should be made before or after the votes at 5 o'clock?
I have received a request for an urgent ministerial statement to be made. I intend to allow that statement to be made before decision time. As is required by standing orders, I will then allow a few brief questions to be asked of the minister. We will then proceed to decision time.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
I will hear Ms Marwick's point of order.
The Executive has had three opportunities in the past two days to make its position absolutely clear. There was yesterday's statement, then a debate today, then First Minister's question time—[Interruption.]
Order. I cannot hear the member.
If the Executive statement has any material bearing on today's debate, I ask the Presiding Officers to reconsider their decision. Unfortunately, we are not party to what the statement contains, but if it affects the debate materially, I argue that the Executive has had plenty opportunity to make its position clear to the chamber.
As I have already said, I intend to take the ministerial statement before decision time. I am now going to call Mr Tom McCabe—
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
I hope that it is not the same point of order.
Can you rule as to whether, on a future occasion, if any party wishes to make a statement following a debate, you will allow that statement to be made and that that gesture will not be made simply towards the Executive?
I cannot, and nor can my colleagues, predict what issues may arise in the future. However, I will say to Ms MacDonald that there is provision in the standing orders for ministerial statements of an urgent or emergency nature to be made.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
We have deemed that the statement this afternoon is of such a nature.
My point of order relates to how the press knew about this half an hour ago and yet Parliament has only just been told. Were the press informed by the Executive or by the office of the Presiding Officer? Is it not out of order that members are not told before the press that there is to be a statement?
All I can tell you, Mr Neil, is that the decision to hear the statement was agreed by the Presiding Officers after your point of order earlier this afternoon. We do not know that the press knew of it earlier than that. We have no way of knowing whether the press knew of it earlier. If we find that the press did know earlier, that would obviously be dealt with accordingly. However, that is not our information at this stage.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I understand that, under rule 13.2.2 of the standing orders, the statement will be debated. Can you confirm how many members will be called from each party?
Given that we are now past the scheduled time for decision time and that we need to conclude decision time shortly, I intend to take one member from each of the major parties. I now call Mr McCabe—
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I hope that you will accept that the ruling that you have just given—that only members of the major parties may speak—could set a very unhappy precedent. The definition of major parties may change, as you well know. May I invite you instead to say that you will give an opportunity to all the parties in this Parliament? That would be much more courteous. Quite rightly, you made a point about members showing courtesy while others are speaking.
I am not setting a precedent, Mr Sheridan, because we review each case on its merits. This afternoon, I will take one member from each of the major parties.
On a point of order.
I hope that this is a different point.
It is a different point. You have indicated that the Presiding Officers have agreed that the statement is of an urgent or emergency nature and that, under standing orders, you will take it. Do I therefore take it that you have knowledge of the statement? Can I ask the Presiding Officers whether the statement relates to the debate that we have had today? What is it about this emergency statement that makes it so urgent that you have had to take it?
We could hardly judge it to be of an urgent nature if we did not know the topic to be covered. We do know the topic to be covered; we do not know the content. We are, however, advised that it is germane to today's proceedings. We have therefore decided to take it. I intend to call Mr McCabe now—
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The Opposition parties depend on the protection of the chair in the issues they bring forward in the Parliament. We provided an opportunity for personal care of the elderly to be debated in Parliament this morning. You said that you do not know the content of the statement. With respect, I question how the Presiding Officers can judge the statement that Mr McCabe proposes to make to be of an urgent nature if you do not know its content.
That is not a point of order.
I remind you of the rules governing questions to the chair about rulings. However, as a matter of courtesy I will say that the subject under discussion has been of great interest to members of the Parliament and to the public. In such circumstances it is appropriate to take the statement at this time. I intend to move to take the statement.
On a point of order. The Parliament has agreed that decision time should be at 5 pm. It is now after that time, so I move that the questions be now put.
I have the power to change that and I propose to do so.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. We are in your hands on this matter. Will you confirm that the content of the emergency statement could not have been given during the debate today?
If we move to the statement we will find that out—[Interruption.] Let me finish. Suffice it to say that the information we have leads us to that conclusion. [Interruption.]
Will you repeat that?
I said that the information we have leads us to that conclusion.