§ Mr. Robert Adley (Christchurch)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. My point of order is concerned with the relationship between Government statements and Table Office decisions for which you, Mr. Speaker, are ultimately responsible.
Earlier this week I was re-elected chairman of the all-party British-Chinese parliamentary group. I sought yesterday to table a question at the Table Office for oral answer in two weeks' time about the timing and the progress of the talks which have been taking place in Beijing on the future of Hong Kong. I was told by the Table Office that it was unwilling to accept my question because — I think that I quote accurately — the Government had decided that these talks were secret.
I wish to put two questions to you, Mr. Speaker. First, is a declaration of secrecy about the content of talks by a Government Department in effect an instruction, considered as valid by the Table Office, that hon. Members may not table questions on that subject? I am not suggesting that the decision of the Table Office was arrived at as a result of pressure by Her Majesty's Government, but this is something that has arisen before and I would welcome your ruling, if not today, at least in the future.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)What is your point?
§ Mr. AdleyIf the hon. Gentleman wishes me to repeat it, I shall do so. If he cannot understand what I am saying—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is directing his remarks to me.
§ Mr. AdleyI am sorry, Mr. Speaker. I was distracted by the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner)
In the light of the decision of the Table Office yesterday, I was rather surprised to read in this morning's Vote that two questions would appear on the Order paper tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Miller) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston, (Mr. Loyden) that are virtually identical to the question that I wished to table and which I had been unable to table, having been refused permission so to do.
As you decide ultimately, Mr. Speaker, what questions may or may not be tabled, I ask you to give consideration to the relationship between Government statements and Table Office decisions. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to try if possible to give slightly clearer guidelines to the Clerks in the Table Office on the contents of questions on current matters, which are of especial interest to all Back Benchers because of their currency.
§ Mr. SpeakerI shall consider the matter and communicate with the hon. Gentleman.