§ 35. Mr. Dalyellasked the Lord President of the Council on how many occasions he has now answered an Adjournment debate himself during this Session of Parliament.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)Twice, Sir.
§ Mr. DalyellHas the right hon. Gentleman detected a trend for Ministers, when winding up debates, more and more to give a catalogue of departmental pronouncements rather than actually answer the debate? Since the Leader of the House seems to have acquired a taste for answering Adjournment debates, may I ask him, in the interest of parliamentary scrutiny, to consider having two debates rather than one such debate each evening?
§ Mr. WhitelawIt would be very dangerous indeed if all the things for which I acquired a taste in life I then indulged in.