Points of Order — Absence of Members—Chamber

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is not appropriate to talk about the absence of members, but it is obvious that the Chamber is somewhat cavernous and empty today, particularly on the Government side. I wonder whether it might be appropriate to ring the bells again for an 8-minute period, to see whether some Labour members can be roused from their slumber in order to come down to the House to do the job they are required to do.

That was hardly an appropriate point of order to come from a party that lacks 17 members in the House today.

Thank you. Please be seated. The member who raised the point said himself it was not appropriate to do so, and it was not.