§ Mr. DonnellyOn a point of order. I wish to raise a matter for the convenience of the House. There may be extenuating circumstances in this particular case, as I am sure there are, but some of the Questions which I have on the Order Paper today, which are of a general nature affecting the hake fishing industry, were originally put down for answer by the Prime Minister. I appreciate that it is within the competence of a Minister to transfer Questions to another Minister, but as the Leader of the House is present, may we have some general guidance, for the convenience of the House, about Questions to the new Prime Minister in the future?
Are we to take it that there will be specific days, like Tuesdays and Thursdays which were the days when the last Prime Minister answered Questions, or are we to understand that we can ask the new Prime Minister Questions on home affairs as well? The Questions to which I refer were important Questions about home affairs and were right at the beginning of the Order Paper.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not see a point of order in that. The right of Ministers to transfer Questions has been frequently stated in this House; and, indeed, it is the only rule that is practicable, because Ministers alone know their spheres of responsibility.
§ Mr. DonnellyWith respect, Mr. Speaker, what I was submitting as a point of order was for the general convenience of the House. All I am seeking is elucidation. As the Leader of the House is here, surely he can give us some elucidation.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member prefaced his remarks by saying that he was raising a point of order. It really is not a point of order, and I cannot deal with it.
1331 Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Heath.]