§ Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. No doubt you noticed that Question 2 to the Prime Minister was reached at 3.28 pm—I was looking at the clock. You are, I am sure, aware of the intense competition for the Prime Minister's questions slot, and you have often asked for short replies.
You may also have noticed that the Prime Minister took a long time to answer the questions from my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition. It seems unfortunate that, when an hon. Member has been lucky enough to table Question 5 or 6, only Questions 1, 2 and 3 should be reached. Would you like to comment, Madam Speaker? What happened today was extremely unfair to Back Benchers, who, if they are lucky, may find themselves somewhere near the top slot twice or, at most, three times a year.
§ Madam SpeakerA total of 10 questions were asked today, although the hon. Gentleman is right: only three of them were listed on the Order Paper.
Recently, questions to the Prime Minister have not moved as speedily as they used to. When questions and answers were short, those 15 minutes were one of our best periods in the House. I have noticed recently that both questions and responses are rather long, and the hon. Gentleman—and, obviously, the House—have noted that we are not moving as speedily as we could.
The hon. Gentleman's point of order gives me an opportunity to appeal both to the House as a whole and to those on the Front Benches to move more speedily in the future. It is absolutely right that hon. Members who take the trouble and time to place questions on the Order Paper should at least have a reasonable opportunity of being called. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments.
§ Mr. Richard Tracey (Surbiton)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek your guidance. Can you explain why the Leader of the Opposition needs to ask three or four questions to make his point? That may well answer the point made by the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick).
§ Madam SpeakerI have probably been in the House for at least as long as the hon. Gentleman. Leaders of the Opposition, whatever their party, have often been able to ask three questions. If hon. Members wish to change that procedure, perhaps they should ask the Procedure Committee to have a look at it. I shall certainly make no decision at this stage.