§ Mr. James JohnsonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to raise a matter which has deep implications for all back benchers in the House.
You may know, Mr. Speaker, that I have the whole complex of the deep sea fishing fleet in my constituency. May I make an appeal, to you? I went to your office at 10 o'clock this morning to table a Private Notice Question, but I was told that a letter had arrived before I reached your office. I was informed that, except in the case of Questions tabled by shadow Ministers, the earliest applications must take precedence. I had always understood that the choice of selecting Private Notice Questions lay with you, Sir. Are we to understand that this practice has now been changed? Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, you will consider this matter very carefully because it has the gravest implications for all back benchers in representing their constituency interests.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe ultimate decision is one for me, and I take all factors into account. When two hon. Members from the same area wish to table such Questions, I take the line that the first hon. Member to table his Question should be the one to be accepted. I have noted what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. JohnsonWith all respect, Mr. Speaker, the matter goes much deeper than that. I am speaking on behalf of back benchers. I object to being told 1848 when seeking to table a Private Notice Question that I am precluded from so doing because a letter in regard to another Question has arrived before my request. This has nothing to do with the City of Hull. This is a matter for back Benchers on both sides of the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI note the hon. Member's point.