§ Mr. David Trimble (Upper Bann)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wish to return to a familiar problem in relation to Northern Ireland questions. As you know, security in Northern Ireland is probably the most important issue for the people of Northern Ireland, especially as there have been eight murders in the past week. Unfortunately, due to the order and run of questions today, no hon. Members on this Bench—we represent the largest party in Northern Ireland—had the opportunity to comment on the situation.
It is particularly unfortunate as certain parties in Northern Ireland allege that there is a selective condemnation of events, and silence from this Bench will be seen by them as a lack of concern for some of those atrocious murders. Might it be possible to look yet again at the way in which questions are selected to ensure that Northern Ireland Members are given a fair opportunity?
§ Madam SpeakerHon. Members on the hon. Gentleman's Bench might like to table substantive questions on the issue that he has just raised. Looking at the Order Paper, I see that five Members on his Bench were called on the first seven questions.
§ Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wish to ask you for your advice. You will have heard a few moments ago the Leader of the House refer to a paper that has apparently been issued by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton). The Leader of the House went on to criticise that document severely. Would it be in order for me to table a question to the Leader of the House in his capacity as Lord President of the Council asking him to place a copy of the document in the Library so that all hon. Members can form a judgment on its content?
§ Madam SpeakerIf the hon. Gentleman wants procedural advice he should not ask the Chair. If he wants to table a parliamentary question, he can seek the advice of the Table Office.
§ Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I raise this point of order merely to ensure that no mistake occurs in the Official Report in relation to the question that I asked a few moments ago of the Leader of the House. I was not referring to the Maxwell pension fund, but to Belling—a quite different matter.
§ Mr. NewtonFurther to that point of order, Madam Speaker. I apologise to the hon. Gentleman if I misheard and misunderstood the case to which he referred, and then responded according to that misunderstanding. I will ensure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State sees the comments of the hon. Gentleman and responds to them.
§ Ms Liz Lynne (Rochdale)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Is it in order for an hon. Member to be named without being previously informed—I refer to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton)?
§ Madam SpeakerWhen there is an opportunity, it is customary and courteous to inform the hon. Member to whom reference is to be made. As the House knows, I deprecate references to hon. Members if they have not been notified and the reference to them is intended.