§ Sir John MaitlandOn a point of order. At the beginning of Questions today several hon. Members were obviously rather upset because they had not been informed that notice was not given that Private Members' Bills were dealt with. Members like to know what is to happen, and I wondered whether, when important Government statements are made, as was the case today, some notice should be given, if possible on the Order Paper, or—as that obviously is not always possible—verbally at the beginning of Questions, the reason being that many hon. Members are particularly interested in certain statements, and that would give them an opportunity of hearing them and, if necessary, asking questions. That would further the policy that the House has gradually introduced, of letting Members know a little more than they used to know about what is to happen in the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am obliged to the hon. Member. As he speaks to me, I am not sure how much I can do about this. I rather think that the hon. Member's observations should be addressed to the Leader of the House in this context. No doubt we can now proceed with our business, because what he has said will have been heard, and from the interest involved in it it seems a matter which the House would obviously like to think about.