HC Deb 25 January 1993 vol 217 cc549-50W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce proposals to allow the tabling of questions to take place(a) by fax and (b) by electronic transfer.

Mr. Newton

I have no plans to do so.

It is the long-standing practice of the House that each question should be tabled on the personal authority of an hon. Member, either in person or on his or her behalf by another hon. Member, or in writing with a genuine signature. It would not be possible for the Clerks in the Table Office to verify that a fax or electronic message had been sent personally by an hon. Member. However, the hon. Member may wish to draw this matter to the attention of the Select Committee on Procedure.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Lord President of the Council when he now expects to respond to the Procedure Committee's third report of Session 1990–91, HC 178, on parliamentary questions.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Thursday 22 October 1992, at column363.