§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I know that the subject of tomorrow's debate is aid to developing countries, but has the Minister for Overseas Development asked to make a statement on the horrific events in Iran? There are millions of people in this country who, whatever they think about the regime in Iran, are deeply concerned about and horrified by what has occurred, and they want the maximum amount of relief to he given. There was a passing statement by a Minister last Friday, but I and many other hon. Members would wish an oral statement to be made by the appropriate Minister.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have had no indication that the Government propose to make a statement on this matter today. However, as the hon. Gentleman has correctly stated, there will be a debate tomorrow, when these matters will be relevant.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys ôn)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday there was a near miss between two aircraft over mid-Wales when a British Midland aircraft and a Dan Air aircraft came within four seconds of a collision. It is 'a very serious matter, because there have been a number of near misses over mid-Wales in recent years. Has the Secretary of State for Transport made an application to make a statement to the House because of the serious nature of the incident? If not, what can be done to prevail upon him to do so?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman has made his point. I have had no request for a statement, or any indication that the Government propose to make one, on that serious matter.
§ Mr. Michael Latham (Rutland and Melton)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I raise this matter with some difficulty, because the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) was sheer magic and none of us would have missed it for the world. However, in the past, you have declined to take the supplementary questions worded in that way, referring to departmental Minister's duties for a specific day. Is that policy now to be changed because, if so, it may affect the behaviour of other hon. Members when we table our questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerNormally, matters of that kind would be brought to me by the Table Office. What was the question?
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)It was Question 74, about official duties.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat was passed as in order by the Table Office.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Lofthouse (Pontefract and Castleford)On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to Question 79, which was tabled to the Lord President of the Council by the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway)? Do you agree that such questions, which cost probably 40 or 50 times more than the snuff in question, are a complete waste of money and of precious parliamentary time?
§ Mr. SpeakerI had better not give my views publicly about some of the questions on the Order Paper.