CONDUCT OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Early day motion 1007, tabled 10 November 1999 by Lord Fowler (Conservative). Signed by 112 members.

That this House notes the resolution of 19th March 1997 on Ministerial Accountability to Parliament that 'it is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity' and that 'Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister'; and further notes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, during exchanges on the Pre-Budget Statement on 9th November, misled the House when he said that 'We have just heard this afternoon from the Shadow Chancellor that he opposed putting that £40 billion in ... to health and education' when in fact minutes earlier the Shadow Chancellor stated that 'I said that last year and I say it again today. We support increases in health and education spending'; and therefore expects the Chancellor to correct that error at the earliest opportunity.

Signatures by party: Conservative 110, UUP 2.