SCOTLAND (Hansard, 15 July 1981)

§ Mr. Speaker
I appeal to hon. Members to ask a question and not to submit an argument when they put a supplementary question.

§ Mr. Hugh D. Brown
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not wish unduly to detain the House and, as you know, Mr. Speaker, I shall accept your advice and guidance on the matter. It will not have escaped your attention that out of the total of 36 questions on today's Order Paper, 19 relate to one subject. In case you think that I have an axe to grind or a personal interest, in that my question is No. 20, I assure you that that is not so. Nine out of the first 16 questions relate to the same subject. I appeal to you in good faith. I have not taken the trouble to discover whether the Minister is linking even half a dozen of the questions, but I hope that you will call as many of my hon. Friends as possible rather than the usual divide between the two sides of the House. I am making a fair and reasonable point. I draw the matter to your attention, Mr. Speaker, in the light of the unusual circumstances of the 1981 Act.

§ Mr. Canavan
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to waste Question Time, he can do so by all means.

§ Mr. Canavan
I shall wait until after Question Time to raise the point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
May I say that, obviously, more hon. Members are called when questions are not grouped. I tend to call fewer hon. Members if more questions are taken together, but on this occasion there is little grouping.