HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 c753

4.1 pm

Mr. Robert Maclennan (Caithness and Sutherland)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have waited until now to raise a point of order on questions about Members' constituency interests. You have just called the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Clarke), recognising that he has a constituency interest. Would you, knowing of my constituency interest in question 7 to the Secretary of State for Energy, consider the appropriate way in which an hon. Member can raise a matter at short notice when something affects his constituency, as the Minister's answer affected mine?

Mr. Speaker

I do not encourage letters about questions on the Order Paper, especially when it is a question from another member of the same party. I do not wish to start the system of hon. Members writing to tell me that they wish to be called on certain questions. I have said several times that it is counter-productive. The practice that I have adopted is the only way to protect the House from that system.