HC Deb 26 July 1977 vol 936 cc296-7
Mr. Speaker

Since the House has indicated overwhelmingly that it wishes to move quickly on to substantive Questions to the Prime Minister, I hope that the first five hon. Members who have put down what I call "shot-in-the-dark" Questions will be brief and help the House to move on to substantive Questions.

Mr. Tapsell

rose—

Mr. Tebbit

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall be pleased to take a point of order after Questions. Otherwise, we shall use up Prime Minister's Question Time.

Mr. Tebbit

With respect, Mr. Speaker, may I put my point of order to you now? I shall be brief. Have you considered that, if you adopt this practice, the effect will be—[HON. MEMBERS: "Not now."]—I wish that hon. Members opposite would be quiet—the effect will be to encourage the putting down of that sort of Question because, as I understand it, you will not be in a position to call the Leaders of any Opposition parties on any of those Questions? Thus, we shall not even reach the most important of the specific and substantive matters today—that is, unemployment—with an opportunity for any of the Leaders of Oppositon parties to be called.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I was hoping that we should move down fairly quickly, if hon. Members would co-operate.