§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerDoes it arise out of questions?
§ Mr. DalyellYes. Precisely because I did not put in a private notice question I feel that, on behalf of several Back Benchers, I am entitled to ask whether it is not extraordinary that, in the middle of the crisis concerning Libya and the British bases, the House of Commons is to hear nothing. Would not any visitor consider it extraordinary if we were to spend eight and a half hours debating Sunday trading and yet, as a Legislature, be told nothing about the United States or Soviet position or to have a statement on the crisis?
You will know, Mr. Speaker, that I have thought for a long time that you are a very superior Speaker to George Thomas. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am enjoying this.
§ Mr. DalyellGeorge Thomas made certain judgments of his own, such as that in April 1982 that the Prime Minister ought to be supported on the south Atlantic issue. We read that in his memoirs. There is no secret about it. That happened during one of the last crises, when he was Speaker, concerning those islands in the south Atlantic. Do you not think, Mr. Speaker, that it is matter of some judgment whether circumstances that are a matter of war, or potential war, outside Europe, entitle Parliament to a report from Ministers? There might be a judgment about the safety of British subjects. You know that I am one of those hon. Members who have constituents who are involved, and at risk, near Tripoli. Bearing in mind the circumstances, why does the House not have at least a Foreign Office or Prime Ministerial report on this urgent matter?
§ Mr. Harry Greenway (Ealing, North)Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. I note the hon. Gentleman's well-deserved tribute to you. I am sure that you will always call him for his share, but I hope that you will not call him more often than that.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Dickens (Littleborough and Saddleworth)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have just recently left the Table Office, where I endeavoured to table a straightforward question, which any hon. Member would wish to table. If I can explain—
§ Mr. SpeakerIs this further to the point of order?
§ Mr. DickensNo, but it is a point of order arising out of questions.
§ Mr. SpeakerLet me deal with the first point of order.
§ Mr. Andrew Faulds (Warley, East)Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerBriefly, please.
§ Mr. FauldsI strongly reiterate the comments about you, Mr. Speaker. The only reason why I did not trouble your private office this morning to raise a private notice question on the dangers to peace in the middle east caused by the American President's cretinous behaviour was that I was sure that an hon. Member would have tabled, and been granted the opportunity to raise, a private notice question. I am surprised that that did not happen. Is it in order to seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 10, to raise the issue?
§ Mr. SpeakerI thank the hon. Member. Private notice question applications are not matters that are raised in the House. Many considerations must be taken into account. I fully understand and appreciate the concern of the House about this matter, and I shall bear that in mind tomorrow and during the rest of the week.
§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. Events of great significance in the middle east may take place tonight. How can the House bring its views to bear before those events take place?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt would have been possible for any hon. Member to apply before 12 o'clock to seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 10 to raise this subject—they did not do so. If anything has happened since 12 o'clock, it would be in order to ask leave under Standing Order No. 10 now. Mr. Dickens.
§ Mr. Dickensrose—
§ Mr. DickensI was endeavouring to explain that a short time ago I left the Table Office—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. DickensYou called me, Mr. Speaker. The right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) should sit down.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. In the interests of neatness, I shall hear the right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore).
§ Mr. ShoreFurther to the original point of order, Mr. Speaker. My hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) has raised a matter of the utmost importance which should be treated with appropriate seriousness by both sides of the House. This is a matter in which our national interest is involved. As the Leader of the House is present, will he assure the House that hon. Members' feelings on this important matter will be conveyed to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and that a statement will be made at the earliest opportunity?