§ Mr. CryerOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You may recall that a little earlier, in business questions, there arose an issue of an hon. Member not declaring an interest in travel when he asked a business question about travel. You said, quite rightly, that no resolution of the House required a declaration of interest during Question Time. However, I do not think that that matter has been specifically considered in relation to business questions.
I know that the matter will depend on a specific resolution. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to encourage hon. Members to declare an interest whenever possible, rather than allow an erosion of the existing requirements. It would be preferable, for the good of the House, the understanding of the people outside, and to avoid confusion or ambiguity, that interests were declared whenever possible.
677 It is not up to Back Benchers to table motions that will find time on the Floor of the House. It is up to the Leader of the House. By his indication today, that prospect is somewhat remote, to say the least. Therefore, I ask you, Mr. Speaker to use your office, whch is enormously influential, to improve the situation, with more declarations rather than fewer.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman. The House resolved that during debates hon. Members should declare any interests that they had. Business questions fall under a different heading, as they are supplementary questions to the main issue. "Erskine May" is definite that it is not necessary to declare them. I am sure that the House will have taken note of what the hon. Member said.