HC Deb 22 December 1981 vol 15 c872
Mr. Frank Hooley (Sheffield, Heeley)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am having some difficulty in following the order of our business today.

I take it that the debate on London fares will run until about 7 o'clock. Following that, I gather that we shall be dealing with two small Bills, which presumably will take us to about 7.30. After that, apparently we are to debate two different aspects of foreign policy. Can you clarify whether that debate will be in parallel—in other words, will you call Members who wish to speak on both Poland and the Middle East—or are the debates intended to succeed each other? If so, to what hour will the debate extend? I ask this question, because I had wished to take part in the Middle East debate. However, if the debate on Poland, which is clearly of great importance, is to occupy all the time, hon. Members like myself would like advance notice that we shall not reach the debate on the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman has raised a fair question. In my judgment, the emergency debate will last for three hours, and then we shall get to the debate on Poland. I have already had intimation of a considerable number of right hon. and hon. Members who wish to speak in that debate. It is therefore clear that it will run until 10 o'clock. I assume, therefore, that we shall not have time in our business today to reach the second debate.