§ 42. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Lord President of the Council what representations he has received about the allocation of parliamentary time for private Members.
§ Mr. MacGregorI have not received any representations about the allocation of parliamentary time for private Members. The general point is, of course, being considered by the Select Committee on Sittings of the House, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling).
§ Mr. MarshallDoes my right hon. Friend accept that, whatever changes are made to the sitting hours, it would be a retrograde step—a step detrimental to the rights of Back Benchers—to introduce legislation to reduce them? As it is, Back Benchers have precious little time and it should not be reduced further.
§ Mr. MacGregorIt is, of course, a matter for the Select Committee on Sittings of the House to make recommendations in the first place. Thereafter, it is for the House to decide upon those recommendations. The point that I made to the Committee is that if we wish to reduce the hours of the House or change the sitting times—that is still an open question—it is important that we consider how the time of the House is used at present and to make reductions pro rata. However, I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that the opportunities for Back Benchers to introduce Bills are very important, and I am sure that the Select Committee will keep that very much in mind.