§ Mr. Tony Benn (Chesterfield)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to raise a matter to which you may not be able to give an immediate answer. The matter is important. I allude to the developments in the miners' dispute. Every day on television hon. Members and the public see pitched battles, involving thousands of people, which are almost scenes of civil war proportions. Many hundreds are arrested, there are many casualties, and two men have died—one just before the weekend.
The provision for debates falls into three categories. Under the Supply Day procedure the Opposition must find a proper balance of the subjects they wish to draw to the attention of the House. Standing Order No. 10, on which you, Mr. Speaker, have been unable to rule—I am not criticising you—is not an effective way of dealing with the matter. Under such circumstances, the historic precedent is for the Government to introduce emergency powers. In 1926, 1972 and 1974, the Government, who were in effect running an emergency regime, brought regulations before the House, which the House had to debate and approve.
Will you, Mr. Speaker, consider carefully how the House can bring to bear its opinions on this matter, and how the Government, who are responsible for masterminding the police operations, can be held to account by the House?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Member knows that I am not responsible for organising the business of the House. He mentioned numerous ways in which the matter can be raised. I think that he is wrong in saying that the Standing Order No. 10 procedure has not been operated, because it has. The question is not for me, but for the whole House, especially the Front Benches, to decide.