HC Deb 15 July 1993 vol 228 c1137 4.45 pm
Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Questions to the Leader of the House are an important moment in the parliamentary week and one that Back-Bench Members treasure because it gives them access to a discussion of the subjects that are to be debated next week. Increasingly, that time is being used by some hon. Members to ask the Leader of the House to comment on party political points. That is a derogation of the rights of hon. Members and does neither the Government nor individual Conservative Members any credit.

Madam Speaker

That gives me an opportunity to remind the House that business questions should relate to the business next week. Far too many hon. Members go into great detail, making long comments about personal and constituency cases. It is an important period in our proceedings and I hope that hon. Members will take to heart the fact that they should ask questions relating directly to the business for the next week. They should be put briskly and directly to the Lord President, who, I am sure, will do his best to give short replies.