HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 c19 3.30 pm
Mr. Ron Davies (Caerphilly)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that you are not responsible for the quality of answers given by Ministers during Question Time, and in the case of Welsh questions you are no doubt eternally grateful for that. On question 1, I put particular points to the Secretary of State about the operation of the NACODS agreement and its—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is seeking to prolong Question Time. He is putting a question to a Minister when he should be putting a question to me.

Mr. Davies

I understand that and my question is to you, Mr. Speaker. At Question Time, I put particular questions to the Secretary of State, and it is the interpretation of those questions and matters of procedure arising from that that I wish to raise with you.

I asked the Secretary of State whether he would confirm that last autumn the Secretary of State for Energy said that the NACODS agreement was inviolate. The Secretary of State for Energy made a statement to the House, for which you, Mr. Speaker, are responsible and on the interpretation of which hon. Members look to you for guidance. The Secretary of State said that the NACODS agreement was available to the NUM. Last week, the National Coal Board management in south Wales—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is an extension of Question Time. The hon. Gentleman must find other ways to deal with the matter. This is not a question for me. I cannot be responsible for answers given from the Front Benches or for questions asked from the Back Benches.

Mr. Davies

It is a procedural question, Mr. Speaker. I ask you to bear with me for a moment. The Secretary of State is responsible for the operation of the NCB in south Wales. Last week, the NCB effectively abrogated the NACODS agreement in respect of the Bedwas pit in my constituency. Have you any powers, Mr. Speaker, under Standing Orders, to require the Secretary of State, on behalf of the Government, to say whether the NACODS agreement is still in existence or whether the NCB, on behalf of the Government, has abrogated that agreement in south Wales?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman knows that I have no such power.