HC Deb 25 June 1984 vol 62 c687 3.31 pm
Mr. Norman Buchan (Paisley, South)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This point of order relates to arts questions. It has been raised partially before and concerns what happens when questions to the Church Commissioners collapse before their allotted 10 minutes are over. The habit has been to revert then to the earlier questions, in today's case those on Wales. I assure my hon. Friends that I am not trying to cut out Welsh questions, but trying to draw attention to this problem, which continually diminishes the amount of time that is given to the arts at a time when there is extreme anxiety throughout the country about them, and when the Government failed dismally the week before last to give their views on the subject. Has not the time come to expand the time available for the arts, which are an important part of our civilisation?

Mr. Andrew Faulds (Warley, East)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. It will be in the memory of the House that when we had that admirable Gentleman, the right hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas), as Minister responsible for the Arts he was actively considering trying to arrange an extension of the period for arts questions. I think that there will be universal agreement in the House that we should have a longer time for arts questions.

Mr. Speaker

Order. These are matters not for the Chair, but for discussion between the usual channels.