HC Deb 16 January 1985 vol 71 cc333-4 3.32 pm
Mr. Peter Hardy (Wentworth)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You might be aware, Sir, that some English hon. Members think that the Government's forestry policy is deplorable. In view of that, could you look into the new circumstances that have developed as the Government have transferred forestry responsibilities to the Secretary of State for Scotland? Is it not clear that our Scottish colleagues have quite enough to do in representing their constituencies without encouraging English Members to intervene in Scottish questions to pursue this matter? In view of the implications of the change, would you examine the matter urgently?

Mr. Speaker

The issue of who is responsible for answering questions is not for me. I noted the question tabled by the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy)—No. 19—and I am sorry that we did not reach it.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton (Fife, Central)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will have noticed, Mr. Speaker, that, of the 36 questions which were tabled today for oral answer, only four were in the names of Conservative Members. As that demonstrates Conservative Members' singular lack of interest in all matters appertaining to Scotland, why do you think it worth while to call them to ask supplementary questions? They have asked 12 today on questions that they did not bother to table.

Mr. Speaker

I try to be fair to the House and am the first to appreciate that there are more Scottish Members on the Opposition side than on the Government side. If the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) examines the Order Paper, he will see that, with the exception of those hon. Members who tabled question No. 19, which has already been mentioned, question No. 23, question No. 24, question No. 27—the hon. Gentleman's—and question No. 31, all right hon. and hon. Members present in the Chamber were called today.

Mr. Hamilton

Not me—I was not called.

Mr. Dick Douglas (Dunfermline, West)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I hesitate to raise this matter, as I probably could have written to you about it, but it affects virtually every right hon. and hon. Member. You cannot have failed to notice, Mr. Speaker, that on today's Order Paper, many right hon. and hon. Members are seekers after wisdom in trying to elicit from the Prime Minister her official engagements for 29 January. There are well over 100 such questions. Would you reflect on the fact that, if there is a possibility of only the first five questions on the Order Paper being aired, it is tantamount to a lottery? Why do we not consider making a change so that Members who wish to ask the Prime Minister on a Tuesday or a Thursday open questions — that is what they are — have their names put in a lottery and Members who wish to ask specific questions are not denied the opportunity? Perhaps there might be an extension of Question Time. We have really institutionalised this practice which takes up a lot of time for Members, printers and others. The practice is unproductive, unacknowledged and not understood outside the House.

Mr. Speaker

The answer to that question is that it is entirely up to right hon. and hon. Members as to what questions they put down to the Prime Minister. [Interruption.] Well, it is. It is up to them whether they put down definitive questions or open questions. Anyway, all these questions go into what I understand is called the shuffle. To that extent it is a lottery as to whether one comes out early or late. The matter is entirely in the hands of hon. Members. If the hon. Gentleman feels strongly about it, he might well raise it with Procedure Committee.

Mr. Nicholas Fairbairn (Perth and Kinross)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for an Englishman who represents Central Fife, who has no residence in Scotland and who normally lives in England, to complain about the activies of Scotsmen? Is that not contradicting the legislation on racism of which he is such an adherent?

Mr. Norman Buchan (Paisley, South)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it proper to say that anyone who lives in a castle is properly domiciled in Scotland?

Mr. Speaker

I will not get myself involved in this. So far as I am concerned, the hon. Members represent Scottish constituencies.