§ Rev. Ian PaisleyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Are you able to help me concerning the devolution referendum debate? Is it a fact that the orders dealing with Northern Ireland will be taken at about 1 a.m. tomorrow, if the two debates on the Scottish and Welsh referendum take their full limit of time?
§ Mr. AbseFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The concern of Ulster is echoed by Welsh Members since it is clear that Scottish Members, if they so choose, could continue the Scottish debate until 11.30 p.m. This would leave Welsh Members with a miserable hour and a half of debating time, and Ulster Members would also suffer. If Scottish Members take up their full debating time, will there be any bar to hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies participating in the debate on the Scottish order? Although clearly nobody wants to enmesh the two topics, it would be helpful if some idea could be given to Scottish Members of the impatience felt on this matter by Welsh and Northern Irish Members who fear that they will have insufficient opportunity to voice their views.
§ Mr. Gordon WilsonFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will the House note that half an hour of Scottish debating time has already been wasted on matters relating to the parochial affairs of the railway dispute in Southern England?
§ Mr. SpeakerI was about to pay a compliment to the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues. The House is working on the basis that hon. Members will consider the position of those hon. Members who are due to follow them later in the evening. I am unable to change the business of the day, but I am sure that those who are fortunate enough to be called on the first order will be as considerate as possible about the interests of other hon. Members whose interest in these subjects is as great as theirs.