HC Deb 20 December 1984 vol 70 c552 3.34 pm
Mr. James Lamond (Oldham, Central and Royton)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Prime Minister's Questions today consisted of 108 questions, 105 of which were exactly the same. I thought that a lot of time was wasted, first, by the Leader of the House having to repeat the same answer each time a question was raised and, secondly, by the calling of Members who were not here to ask their questions. Therefore, several of us did not have the opportunity of asking a question. I suggest that instead of a draw being made a fortnight before of questions that are exactly the same, so that hon. Members come to the Chamber and are called in that order, we should have an open 15 minute session in which members are called at random by you, Mr. Speaker. Thus, we can ask a straightforward question and not have to waste time with the answers such as the Leader of the House was giving today.

Mr. Speaker

The answer, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is that if he feels strongly about it he should raise the matter with the Procedure Committee. What I do at Question Time, in so far as possible, is to ensure that those hon. Members who have questions on the Order Paper are called. That is why we reached Question 17 today.

Mr. Boyes

Further to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks), three policemen were involved—No. AC 871, No.—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I cannot entertain that question.