HC Deb 27 February 1984 vol 55 c24 3.38 pm
Mr. Anthony Beaumont-Dark (Birmingham, Selly Oak)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Very rightly, you have drawn attention to abuses which have taken place in the House. Bearing in mind that hardly a day goes by without an application under Standing Order No. 10, which is meant to be for the urgent consideration of a matter of specific national interest, would it not be a good idea if you considered instructing hon. Members that such an application has to be in respect of more than just a local constituency matter, otherwise every hon. Member will be able to raise matters affecting his constituency, and we shall never get a debate started or finished?

Mr. Speaker

I understand that this matter was discussed some time ago by the Procedure Committee. Applications under the Standing Order No. 10 procedure involve precious Back-Bench time. If the matter needs to be discussed again, no doubt the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Beaumont-Dark) will raise it with the Procedure Committee.