§ Q46. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether, in the light of her letter to the hon. Member for Newham, North—West of 22 January, concerning her decision to answer substantive questions she will make a statement on the matter.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said in my statement on 12 July 1979, I believe that the House generally would welcome a greater mixture of open and substantive questions, which would give hon. Members an opportunity to raise not only topical issues but also more specific matters. I said then that I was prepared to answer substantive oral questions which raised issues of general significance and national interest. I made it clear that I would retain the right to transfer questions, for example on detailed constituency matters, which might more appropriately be put to departmental Ministers; but I have to date had over 5,000 oral questions tabled to me and I have not transferred a single one.