§ Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I regret making points of order on two days in a row, but my point of order today is totally different. You will remember that up to a few years ago on Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions we had about 20 minutes for questions about the European Community. Things changed and there were reasons for that at that time. As you realise, the issue for debate in the House above all others and the issue for debate in the country is Europe. Is there any way in which a slot for European questions could be reintroduced?
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker, and before you answer it, perhaps I can help.
§ Madam SpeakerThe ever-helpful Mr. Skinner.
§ Mr. SkinnerThe hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Marlow) is absolutely right. Time used to be allowed after half-past 3 for Common Market questions. One reason for the change was that the Tory Government at that time were very much in favour of everything that happened in the Common Market. That was when the previous Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, was pushing through the Single European Act with a guillotine. Everyone on the Government Benches seemed to think that everything in the Common Market garden was fine and lovely. They decided therefore to get rid of that question time. It is interesting that, now that the Tories are split down the middle, they want it restored. I am prepared to give them a chuck on.
§ Madam SpeakerI do not think that right hon. and hon. Members should delay the business of the House on points of order of which I am already very well seized. Both hon. Gentlemen know that their points of order concern a matter that is for the Government, not the Chair.