HC Deb 16 January 1974 vol 867 cc539-40
Mr. Spearing

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the possibility of Parliament being dissolved in the near future, I rise to ask what is the position about Questions which appeared on the Order Paper yesterday and today and have not been answered. My Question No. 279 yesterday refers to important statistics of coal stocks. If Parliament is to be dissolved in the near future, I hope that the Government will still be able to answer my Question either before then or afterwards. In any event, I think that this matter may be of substance in relation to other Questions, and I hope that you will be able to tell us what is the procedure on this.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Is this on the same point of order?

Dame Irene Ward

No. Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

I think that I must try to deal with one point of order at a time.

The hon. Member for Acton (Mr. Spearing) has asked me to rule on a hypothetical situation. Nevertheless, I am grateful to the hon. Member for having given me considerable notice of his intention to raise this matter. I have been able to make certain inquiries, and I am told that, whichever party is in power, it is the practice for Departments to try to clear the decks, so far as is humanly possible, before Dissolution.

I now call the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) to raise her point of order.

Dame Irene Ward

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

My point of order relates to whether I shall receive from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State an answer to my Question No. 40 which refers to the Kielder Dam. He told me that he would answer the Question, and, as he said that he would answer it, I hope that he will do so.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Lady, with her experience of the House, knows that that is not a matter for me.