§ Mr. BlakerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will be aware that I have the first debate, which is to be about horticulture, and that it is due to last until 1.15 p.m. The Minister of Agriculture has made an announcement in answer to a Question which goes a substantial way towards meeting the case that I intended to put to him. In view of the importance of the announcement made by the Home Secretary, I wonder whether it would be in order for me to surrender the time remaining until 1.15 p.m. so that this matter might be debated right away.
§ Mr. TebbitFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. On Tuesday, this House passed a motion relating to the Adjournment for Easter. Had that not been the position, it would have been proper for a Standing Order No. 9 application to be made on a Thursday. However, because this House did not think it fit, in its motion to adjourn for Easter, to amend Standing Orders in that respect, as Standing Order No. 9 reads it cannot conceivably make sense because neither the days of the week nor the hours of sitting are as envisaged in that Standing Order. May I therefore support the request of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) that we might discuss this urgent subject while the Home Secretary is still in the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall consider that point. Meanwhile we will take the Business Question. Mr. Heath.