PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CONDUCT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH, THE HON MEMBER FOR SUFFOLK SOUTH (23 February 1993)

That this House notes with interest the inconsistency of response during responses to questions to the Secretary of State for Health on Tuesday 23rd February in that the Minister felt unable to answer part of one direct question 'because in Wales these matters are the responsibility of my Right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Wales' and yet, when asked about the Government's failure to provide secure places for young people in England, felt able to launch into an ill-informed tirade which dealt only with Wales and ignored England; suggests that the health ministers confine themselves to matters which are their own responsibility, that they get their facts right, and that they answer questions about their own responsibilities instead of trying to play a game of party politics during a question time period in which it is their job to answer to this House for the way they are seeking to carry out their obligations or, in this case, failing to do so.

Sponsored by:
Alun Michael (Labour)