HC Deb 03 February 1986 vol 91 c27 3.47 pm
Mr. Jack Straw (Blackburn)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, during Question Time, there was an important disclosure by the Attorney-General that both he and the Solicitor-General had been wholly kept in the dark by the Prime Minister about what she knew about the source of the leak—

Mr. Speaker

Order. As I understand it, this is an extension of the full 10 minutes that we had on this matter, during which the hon. Gentleman asked a question.

Mr. Straw

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. That is my point. Is it not outrageous and ludicrous that on such an important point the Attorney-General should be subject to only 10 minutes of questions each month? Will you confirm that it is within the rules of the House for you and the Government to agree to an extension of Question Time by placing such important questions to be answered after 3.30?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a question for me. If the Government or the Minister concerned wish to answer questions at the end of Question Time, that is in order. I judge that on this occasion the Attorney-General did not do that because he had Question 49 to answer.