Wednesday 16th March 2011

(13 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Owen Smith Portrait Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab)
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On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. You were not in the Chair at the conclusion of the Opposition day debate, but the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Burstow), used barely half his allotted time in winding up, as he was clearly short of arguments to defend his position on the important subject under discussion. That left many of us who have plenty to say on the subject short of time to speak. Will you work through the usual channels, Mr Deputy Speaker, to make sure that in future either Ministers use all their time or Back Benchers are given more time to speak?

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)
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How long the Minister wishes to speak for is not a matter for the Chair. The Minister spoke, the debate came to an end, and a vote was taken.