§ Mr. HoosonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I invite your attention to the dissecting of Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales today and the inclusion of Questions to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications between Questions 19 and 41? It seems to me that this is an unusual procedure. We have not had this kind of thing, save with Questions to the Attorney-General, so far as I am aware. Such Questions to another Minister have all been interjected, as it were, between Questions to the No. 1 Department on the list.
Is it intended to continue with this practice? If so, as the Secretary of State for Wales answers Questions on education, agriculture, local government and many other spheres, and as we have an opportunity to put only two Questions down to him, could we have your assurance that this kind of procedure will not be followed in the future?
§ Mr. SpeakerI can in no wise rule in the way which the hon. and learned Gentleman suggests. This happened last time Welsh Questions were on the Order Paper. There was an intervention of another Department at a certain spot. It also happened last week in the Scottish Questions. The arrangement for bringing in certain Ministries at certain points on the Order Paper is a matter for the usual channels. They will listen to what has been said. It is not a matter for Mr. Speaker at all.
§ Mr. Alec JonesFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I have some guidance as to what can be done in the present circumstances to protect the rights of every Welsh Member of Parliament? In this House at the present moment every Welsh Member is a back bench Member. There is not one Welsh Member represented in the Government. Yet we are denied the opportunity of reaching our Questions which directly affect the well-being of the people of Wales.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. No matter how eloquently it was put, that is exactly the same point on which I have just ruled.