Business of the House

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:37 pm on 20 October 1988.

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Photo of Frank Dobson Frank Dobson Chair, House of Commons (Services): Computer Sub-Committee, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons 4:37, 20 October 1988

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his statement, and, in particular, for the Opposition day set down for next week. In view of the fact that the parliamentary year is scheduled to last no fewer than 18 months on this occasion, will he tell us whether we shall have an Opposition day every week during the spillover period to go some way towards compensating for and matching the enormous extension of time made available for Government business?

In view of the widespread concern over today's statement about Barlow Clowes, and the number of hon. Members who wished to ask questions after the statement and did not get in, can we expect an early debate on the matter?

In view of the Prime Minister's recent much-vaunted conversion to protecting the environment, can we expect an early debate on that subject in Government time, or will her conversion prove to be about as authentic as the Turin shroud?

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he has still failed in his duty to the people of Scotland in not getting enough Tories to serve on the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs? When can we expect the promised debate on his failure to set up that Select Committee?

Finally, in view of the growing crisis of homelessness, and the likely further increase in homelessness as many people cannot find the money to meet their mortgage repayments, can we expect a debate on homelessness and housing in Government time?

Prime Minister

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Opposition

The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".