§ Mr. John PageOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. At the beginning of business yesterday, you kindly informed the House that on certain days certain subjects would be chosen for debate. May I ask you whether it will be in order for hon. Members speaking in those debates to mention other subjects and whether it is possible for the Leader of the House in 210 some way to inform his colleagues of the points that are raised outside the subjects that are due to be discussed?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for the fact that the first point of order in this new Parliament is an easy one. During the debate on the Queen's Speech, of course, it is possible for hon. Members to speak on a wide range of subjects, even though it may be the general will of the House that as far as possible we should on certain days keep to the subjects that I enumerated yesterday. However, if hon. Members catch my eye they are free to speak on any subject that they think ought to be in the Queen's Speech.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)Thank you for that ruling, Mr. Speaker. I agree with you—let a thousand flowers bloom.