Points of Order (Hansard, 18 May 1989)

§ Mr. Speaker
I hope that this is not, in any way, a delaying tactic.

§ Mr. Brown
I simply want to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is fair for one Opposition hon. Member representing Humberside to be called twice when other Conservative Members representing Humberside were not called at all.

§ Mr. Speaker
It is the usual practice, and has been for many years, for the Front-Bench spokesmen to be called briefly at the end of a statement if they so wish.

Hon. Members
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I do hope that this is not an attempt to delay a debate.

§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Bradford, South)
The law and order party. This is sheer organised hooliganism.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The House knows how many hon. Members wanted to participate in questions on the statement. We now have a privilege motion. That is a serious matter which rarely occurs. It is a debatable motion and I hope that business will not be delayed.

Several Hon. Members
rose—

§ Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (Derbyshire, West)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
I will take the point of order from the hon. Gentleman, but I must tell the House that I am concerned—I hope that I am wrong—that this appears to be an attempt to delay getting on to an important debate.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
This is an attempt not to delay, but to protect Back Benchers, about whom you often speak, Mr. Speaker. Will you reflect, Mr. Speaker, on the way in which Members were called this afternoon? Are you aware that in business questions—

§ Mr. Cryer
The hon. Gentleman is challenging the Chair.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I remind hon. Members that we are in the House of Commons.

§ Mr. Cryer
Exactly.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
Are you aware, Mr. Speaker, that during business questions you called two Opposition Members without calling anyone from the Conservative Benches?

§ Mr. Speaker
Yes, I am aware because mistakenly I called two Members from the Government Benches.

§ Mr. Cecil Franks (Barrow and Furness)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. While I do not wish to challenge in any way your decision to bring the questions on the statement to an end, I ask you to bear in mind the fact that, although you called hon. Members from both sides of the House who represent many regions, you did not call one Member representing the north-west, which figures quite prominently in the statement.

§ Mr. Speaker
If I did not, I am sorry.

§ Mr. Tony Favell (Stockport)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon it is obvious that there has been a great deal more interest in the statement on the Conservative Benches than on the Opposition Benches. In future, will you bear in mind the number of people sitting on the Conservative Benches, who rise to catch your eye, when dealing with similar statements, which are of a constituency rather than a party political nature? After all, the Labour party policy document published today has but 20 lines on the subject of roads—nothing more.

§ Mr. Tony Banks (Newham, North-West)
Very sensible.

§ Mr. Speaker
I always bear such matters in mind.

§ Mr. Edward Leigh (Gainsborough and Horncastle)
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. No, I am hearing no more points of order. Ms. Clare Short.