Ministerial Statements (Hansard, 18 June 1986)

§ Mr. Speaker
Private notice question. Mr. Denzil Davies.

§ Mr. Anthony Beaumont-Dark (Birmingham, Selly Oak)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Is it directly connected with questions?

§ Mr. Beaumont-Dark
It is directly connected with this whole matter, Sir.

§ Mr. Speaker
Which whole matter? We have not considered it yet.

§ Mr. Beaumont-Dark
This afternoon, Mr. Speaker, we shall have four items, either private notice questions or ministerial statements. On average, they will take half an hour each, which means that the main debate, for which the House has prepared itself, is not likely to start until 5.30 pm. Bearing in mind that at least three of these items are not of such monumental importance that they could not be dealt with on another day, why is it that on some days we have no statements, although the House must know that such issues will be brought up, yet today we are to have four statements, which means that an important debate cannot start until at least 5.30 pm? Who makes up his mind about this nonsense?

§ Mr. Speaker
It is not my decision. It is a matter for the Leader of the House.