Foreign and Commonwealth Questions

HC Deb 07 November 1986 vol 103 cc646-7W

Sir Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any revision is proposed for the arrangements for Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Biffen

The experiment for Foreign and Commonwealth questions introduced last year on 22 March 1985 at column 624–5 whereby oral questions to Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers were no longer divided between those relating to European Community affairs and those relating to the rest of the world, has been concluded. Following consultations through the usual channels it has been decided that the new arrangements be made permanent and that this will take effect with the introduction of the new questions roster.