Speeches by Ghani.

“Order. Back-Bench speeches are already limited to four minutes. If interventions are long, the limit will drop further. Please be mindful of that.”

“I thank the hon. Member for giving me notice of that point of order. I have not received any notice of a statement on this matter, but the Treasury Front Benchers will have heard what he has said and will no doubt share that information. Other parliamentary mechanisms are available for pursuing such matters. I am sure …”

“Order. Before I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, to ensure that most people can get in, Back Benchers will be on a four-minute speaking limit.”

“Order. The Minister will be aware that many people hope to contribute, so I hope he will come to a conclusion shortly.”

“Order. Before Matt Rodda makes his intervention, I want to be clear that the language we use also means that we do not accuse each other of falsehoods.”

“The right hon. Member is incredibly experienced, and will no doubt know that the ministerial code is not a matter for the Chair. He will obviously pursue all avenues available to those in the House—there are many—to continue this conversation.”

“I hope it is not a continuation of that point of order, because I have made my statement clearly.”

“Order. Martin Wrigley has agreed to do three short minutes before we go to the Front Benchers.”

“Order. I have not changed; I am still here.”

“Order.”

“I inform the House that Mr Speaker has selected amendment (b), in the name of the Prime Minister. I call the shadow Secretary of State to move the motion.”

“Well, that would be good protocol. All correspondence from Members to Ministers should be dealt with promptly, and no doubt those on the Treasury Front Bench will have noted this and will ensure that Back Benchers get answers to their correspondence in good time. Bill Presented Railways Presentation and First Reading (…”

“Can the hon. Member confirm that he has actually notified the Secretary of State that he intended to raise this matter?”

“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. As an experienced Member, he knows that while statements are made on the initiative of Ministers, there are other ways for Members to raise matters in this House.”

“I call the shadow Secretary of State.”

“Before we come to the statement from the Education Secretary, I should inform the House that Mr Speaker is disappointed that this announcement was widely trailed in the media this morning, before this House had an opportunity to hear directly from the Government. I remind the Government Front Benchers that the expectat…”

“Order. I understand the importance of this urgent question, but we have substantial business to get through today, so I ask that questions are short and, Minister, that answers are just as short and on point.”

“Order. Ms Trott, you have run over your time. I hope you are going to conclude very quickly.”

“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. Ministers are responsible for their responses to Members’ questions, so that is not a matter for the Chair, but no doubt those on the Government Front Bench will have noted his question.”

“Now for a short question masterclass from Sir Desmond Swayne.”