HC Deb 13 April 1978 vol 947 c1663
Mr. Madden

You may recollect on Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, ruling me out of order when I mentioned the subject of a Member from Sussex dealing with a Question about Sussex. Do you agree that of the first four Questions tabled to the Prime Minister today, three are not general Questions and the only general Question is Question No. Q4? Will you consider giving some guidance to Members about what you consider are general Questions as opposed to detailed Questions? Could some indication be put alongside the Question as to the position? Finally, do you not think that the time has come when, instead of Prime Minister's Questions taking place twice a week and only for 15 minutes, it might be useful to consider having a half-hourly session once a week?

Mr. Speaker

The latter part of the hon. Gentleman's remarks is not for me. The first part is a matter for me and the answer is quite clear. The whole House knows when a Question lays itself open to what I have called "shot in the dark" questions. I try to discourage them.