§ Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am sure that you will have noticed that I have Question 3 to the Prime Minister on Thursday. We can all see your concern at the fact that the questions and exchanges during Prime Minister's Question Time appear to be getting longer and longer, particularly from the Leader of the Opposition. I have counted the number of words: on Tuesday, the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) used 342 words to put his three questions and, on Thursday, he used 380 words, and that was after Hansard had cut it down a bit. I wonder whether you would use the sensible device whereby, once the right hon. Gentleman has used over 150 or 200 words, you do not call him for a third time.
§ Madam SpeakerI also keep records, not just once in a while, but daily. I know all those hon. Members—Government Front-Bench, Opposition Front-Bench or Back-Bench—who take far too long to put their questions or give their answers, and it would take me a long time this afternoon to name them all.
§ Mr. Jim Dowd (Lewisham, West)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. This is a matter that has been raised with you on numerous occasions, and your views are well known, but I seek clarification.
During the past couple of weeks, the Secretary of State for the Environment paid a visit to my constituency on official business, and just last week, the Secretary of State for Transport did the same. On neither occasion was I extended the courtesy of a telephone call or a note to inform me that they were undertaking those official duties. Although I feel that ordinary Back-Bench Members need not be bound by this, Ministers have staff precisely to deal with such matters. Can you tell the House whether you have received notice from the Government that they intend to discontinue the previous practice, or is this further proof not only that they have run out of ideas and energy, but that they have no manners?
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman and the House are fully aware of my views on this matter, but I do not agree totally with what he has said. I think that it is a 1036 matter of courtesy for Back Benchers, just as it is for Ministers, to inform other Members of Parliament of visits to their constituencies. I am disagreeably surprised to learn that private offices did not inform the hon. Gentleman of those visits. No doubt he will take up the issue directly with the two private offices concerned.
§ Mr. Graham Riddick (Colne Valley)Further to that point of order, Madam Speaker. Do you believe that the Leader of the Opposition or the deputy Leader of the Opposition should notify hon. Members whose constituencies they visit—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. This matter can become very tiresome, not only for hon. Members but for the public. I have made my views on this matter known on numerous occasions. I do not discriminate: as far as I am concerned, every hon. Member is equal. Let us leave it at that. Hon. Members should notify an hon. Member before they visit a constituency. I cannot continue emphasising that point, and I refuse take it any further now.
§ Mr. Jacques Arnold (Gravesham)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Has a decision yet been made whether it is in order for the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) to be a member of the Standards and Privileges Committee, after he has admitted receiving assistance from a solicitor for Mr. Al-Fayed for the drafting of 58 early-day motions?
§ Madam SpeakerIt is my understanding that the Committee discussed that matter, in addition to matters relating to one or two other hon. Members who are on the Committee, and decided that there was no reason why the hon. Members concerned should not remain on the Committee.