§ Mr. Frank Haynes (Ashfield)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when we reached question No. 8 the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) was not in his place. If the question had been taken, a serious attack on the Government would have resulted. Will you try to find out whether the Treasury Bench encouraged the hon. Gentleman not to be here when we reached that question? After the Dewhurst affair, I would not trust the Treasury Bench as far as I could kick it.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Although the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) was not present—which is not a matter for me — we reached question No. 17, which was similar to question No. 8. Therefore, I do not think that the point of order is valid.
The question of hon. Members not being present during Question Time was raised yesterday. If hon. Members are kind enough to let me know that they cannot be present, I do not call their names.
§ Mr. John Browne (Winchester)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I apologise to you and to the whole House for not being in the Chamber when my question was called. The annunciator showed question No. 5, but when I came to the Chamber question No. 8 had already passed. It was entirely my fault, and I apologise.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg (Grantham)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you give the House some guidance on procedure when hon. Members, for various reasons, cannot attend Question Time? Would it not be helpful to the House if in such circumstances hon. Members could entrust other hon. Members to ask their questions? What is the proper forum in which to raise that suggestion?
§ Mr. SpeakerI think that it would be the Procedure Committee, but if the hon. Gentleman thinks through his suggestion he will realise it would be rather bad luck for those lower on the Order Paper.