§ Mr. Robert HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Have you received an application from the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the Government's decision not to proceed with the Hampden Park reconstruction? I ask you, Mr. Speaker, because I understand that the announcement was made just after noon today, which was too late to allow hon. Members to table private notice questions. I seek your guidance on what protection exists for Back Benchers in the face of this procedural chicanery, which attempts to stifle questions by hon. Members.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have received no request about the matter raised by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Harry EwingFurther to that point of order Mr. Speaker, you will have noticed that from time to time we have had occasion to raise with you the matter of the treatment of Scottish Members on both sides of the House. The Government should pay attention to how the Scottish Office is treating the House. This has happened on numerous occasions. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to refer to the Leader of the House for his consideration the question of the way in which Scottish Members of Parliament have been treated by the Secretary of State and the Under-Secretaries of State for Scotland on various important matters involving major policy changes.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Leader of the House is present and he will have heard what the hon. Member for Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth (Mr. Ewing) said.
§ Mr. James HamiltonFurther to the points of order made by my hon. Friends. 1341 Are you aware, Mr. Speaker, that a statement about Hampden Park was made by the Government? They have now reneged on that statement and, consequently, we are being denied the right to ask the Government why they have taken a different decision.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have to confess that I have received no request for a statement and that I can go no further.