§ 39. Ms JowellTo ask the Lord President of the Council what representations he has received about the order and method of Prime Minister's Question Time.
§ The Lord President of the Council and the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Tony Newton)The only representation I have received has been from the Procedure Committee in its report into parliamentary questions—House of Commons No. 687, Session 1992-93. Its recommendation was:
On balance, we do not recommend any changes designed to alter the present balance between open and closed questions to the Prime Minister.The Government accepted that view.
§ Ms JowellGiven that "Erskine May" states that the purpose of a parliamentary question is to seek information or to press for action, what steps does the Lord President propose to take to prevent time-wasting at Prime Minister's Question Time by hon. Members who are seeking neither to obtain information nor to press for action but simply to show loyalty to the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. NewtonMy right hon. Friend the Chairman of the Procedure Committee was not able to be here, but I will draw his attention to the hon. Lady's remarks. If she gives me the undertaking that no Opposition Member will seek to make political points during Prime Minister's Question Time, I might consider her request.