Business without Debate

David Wright Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Commons Chamber

That, at the sitting on Tuesday 21 February, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), the Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon (whether before, at or after 7.00 pm) and may then be proceeded with, though opposed, for three hours, after which the Speaker shall interrupt the business.—(Angela Watkinson.)

[David Wright (Telford) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I seek your advice in relation to questions that are tabled for a response on a named day. I am frugal and careful in my use of named-day questions and have tabled very few in my parliamentary career. I think that it is important that when named-day questions are put down, they are answered accordingly. Last week, I tabled three questions to the Ministry of Defence on an important issue relating to workers in my constituency. The response that I received was that the questions would be answered shortly. That is an increasing trend with named-day questions. I would like to know whether you can assist Members in getting the Government to answer named-day questions in a timely fashion.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Mr Speaker has made it known that it is important that named-day questions are answered on time. The hon. Gentleman has got his point across and those on the Treasury Bench will have heard it. I will bring the matter to Mr Speaker’s attention.