HC Deb 04 July 1990 vol 175 c1019

Sir Hector Monro, supported by Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith, Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, Mr. Allan Stewart, Mr. Bill Walker, Mr. Calum Macdonald, Mrs. Ray Michie and Mr. Charles Kennedy, presented a Bill to extend the powers of grazings committees in relation to the use of crofting land in Scotland for forestry purposes; and to make grazings committees eligible for certain grants in respect of such use: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 6 July and to be printed. [Bill 179.]

Dr. Reid

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

I have dealt with the hon. Gentleman's point of order. I do not want a continuation of Question Time. What is the point of order that I can answer?

Dr. Reid

I am grateful for the opportunity to complete the point of order that I started earlier on. It is not an attempt to continue Question Time.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman started to talk about what was going on in Committee, about which I have no knowledge.

Dr. Reid

It is about an abuse of the House, about which you, Mr. Speaker, are concerned, and the position in which you are being placed. I am not concerned merely because we do not get the opportunity to ask questions when an announcement such as today's is made, but because the perception of people outside Parliament is that a major Bill was abandoned during Question Time today on the express announcement of a deal done between lawyers outside the House and lawyers inside the House—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a clear continuation of Question Time. We have dealt with that matter. Ten-minute rule motion—Mr. Doug Hoyle.

Mr. John Maxton (Glasgow, Cathcart)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member, I think, has only just come in—[Interruption.] All right—I imagine that one of his hon. Friends has told him what was said about him.

Mr. Maxton

I was sitting beside my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes), who will confirm that I was here when the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) made his remark. When the Secretary of State replied to a question, I was severely provoked and used the word of which the hon. Member for Hendon, South accused me. I unreservedly withdraw that word—I emphasise that I withdraw the word.

Mr. Speaker

I thank the hon. Member.