§ Mr. George RobertsonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I should like to raise a matter relating to the submission of priority written questions. I tabled four priority written questions on 5 July to the Secretary of State for Scotland, all of which were latterly transferred to the Secretary of State for Industry. They were for answer on Monday 9 July, but on that date I received a holding answer that the Secretary of State would reply as soon as possible. On Thursday 12 July I telephoned the private office of the Secretary of State and asked why I had not received answers to the priority written questions and I was told that inquiries would be made. After a long interval, an explanation was given to the effect that I would be supplied with an answer on Friday 13 July. I have now received replies to the questions. The questions related to the cost and impact of the deferment of regional development grants to Scotland and Wales. In view of the 1024 fact that there has been widespread publicity in the press over the weekend about a statement that we hear is to be made tomorrow by the Secretary of State for Industry, I wonder why there was such a delay in the answers to four priority written questions. Clearly, the matter had been under constant review by the Minister. Is it right and in order that a Secretary of State should take so long to answer priority questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman was kind enough to give me notice of this point of order. His dispute is with the Minister, and it is not a point of order for me. How and when Ministers answer questions is their concern, and I advise the hon. Gentleman to contact the Minister.