HC Deb 06 July 1994 vol 246 c330

Members successful in the ballot were:

Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Would it be possible for you to outline your thinking on statements? I understand the position of the Speaker if there is a pressing day and urgent business, but we all know that today is a very light day—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]. Only eight Members were still seeking to catch your eye earlier, Madam Speaker, and we finished at 4.23, not even at a "round figure" such as 4.30 or some other magic hour. May I ask for your thinking on the subject?

Madam Speaker

I do not operate on magic hours; I operate on the basis of when I think the statement made by a Secretary of State has been exhausted by Back-Bench Members. I felt that that was the case today, as I do on many occasions. I have many factors to weigh and to take into account—such as the business before us, which I do not consider at all light, and the fact that we shall return to the issue. I also take into account the fact that I often see frustration on the faces of many hon. Members who are very active; the hon. Gentleman is one of them. I know that he likes to put questions to Ministers, but I have to take so many things into account, and I think that it was fair enough that we finished when we did today. Of course I shall remember the hon. Gentleman on a future occasion, just as I will remember other hon. Members in all parts of the House.