HC Deb 24 February 1971 vol 812 cc566-9

Mr. Speaker: This is the second occasion on which we have not reached the Questions tabled to the Minister for the Civil Service. The difficulty is that on the one side there is an insatiable quest for information and on the other an almost remorseless endeavour to give it. I therefore hope that this matter may be considered again because I do not think that the situation is very satisfactory.

Sir G. Nabarro

On a point of order. Would you, Mr. Speaker, given your guidance and help to frustrated Sassenach Members such as myself on Scottish Question days? As it is possible to reach the "Minister for the Bureaucracy" by Questions only once every three weeks, and as we have been frustrated by the loquacity of the Scots so that only 30 Questions have been answered, would you, Mr. Speaker, prevail on the authorities to rearrange matters in such a fashion that the "Minister for the Bureaucracy" comes in at Question No. 15 on Wednesdays, thus enabling us every three weeks to put Questions to him instead of being squeezed out by these Scots?

Mr. Speaker

I have noted the hon. Gentleman's remarks about loquacity. My intervention had very much the same purpose in view.

Mr. David Steel

Further to the point which you raised, Mr. Speaker. I wish to refer to a matter within your control. Is not one of the difficulties that there is such a galaxy of Opposition Front Bench spokesmen on Scottish affairs—no fewer than six, I understand—it is very difficult to increase the number of Questions answered and extremely difficult for back-bench Members to put any questions at all?

Mr. Speaker

It would be very dangerous for me to pronounce on galaxies, on whatever bench they might be.

Mr. Lawson

Further to the point of order. I hope that you, Mr. Speaker, will bear in mind that the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for the equivalent of about seven Ministries and that we have very little opportunity to question him. Therefore, when you consider this matter, I hope that you will try to ensure that it is not Scottish Questions which suffer.

Mr. Speaker

I think that the hon. Gentleman is on a very real point. In trying to get along as quickly as possible, one has to give proper time for matters to be investigated because there is a very broad spectrum to be examined. I will bear the point in mind. But it is not for me; it is for the usual channels.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Further to the point of order. May I say with respect, Mr. Speaker, that it is within your power to deal with the matter raised by the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) about the number of supplementary questions put by what are termed privileged right hon. Members—Privy Councillors and Front Bench spokesmen on both sides of the House. We know that the custom is for Mr. Speaker to give privileges to Privy Councillors in debate. [Interruption.] Listen.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am listening very carefully.

Mr. Lewis

I beg your pardon, Mr. Speaker. I was trying to deal with the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro). A custom which has been carried on for some time is that Mr. Speaker gives privileges to Privy Councillors in debate. Hon. Members on both sides of the House may accept that —[HON. HEMBERS: "No."]—but it is taking things a bit far if right hon. Members who do not table Questions are given precedence in asking supplementary questions on Questions which other Members have tabled? May I suggest that you look into this matter, Mr. Speaker, and do not give preference to Front Bench spokesmen and Privy Councillors just because of the positions they hold to the detriment of other Members?

Mr. Speaker

This is almost a case of the biter bit. I am almost regretting that I said anything at all on the matter. However, only one Privy Councillor has been called today. At Question Time I try to call those who I think are entitled to ask questions. I cannot call all hon. Members who wish to ask questions, and I regret that. However, I will bear in mind everything that has been said.

Mr. Ross

Would it not be much easier for members of the Liberal Party to get a Question answered if they tabled one? The Liberal Party has not tabled a single Question to Scottish Ministers today.

Mr. Pavitt

Further to the point of order of my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson) dealing with the extent of the responsibilities of the Scottish Office. I should like to seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker. This situation arises not only with the Scottish Office but as a result of the combination of a large number of responsibilities in giant Ministries. Even though Questions are tabled early, many of them are not reached because more than 100 Questions are put down before four o'clock. May I ask the Leader of the House through you, Mr. Speaker, to consider how Questions tabled for answer by giant Departments with multiple responsibilities can be reached?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that the time which we have spent on this matter has been wasted. There is a real problem, and I hope that the subject can be considered through the usual channels.

Mr. Dempsey

On a point of order. In accordance with the rules for tabling Questions, I called at the Table Office 21 days ago at 10 a.m. and tabled my Questions No.43 which has not been answered today. May I ask you, Mr.Speaker, to suggest through the usual channels, which I believe are unusual at the moment, that as Members hand in their Questions they be numbered so that they can be dealt with fairly when the Order Paper is published?

Mr. Speaker

I will ensure that the hon. Gentlemen's point is considered.