– in the House of Commons at 10:01 pm on 1 July 1991.
Mr Tam Dalyell
, Linlithgow
10:01,
1 July 1991
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. After the Prime Minister's understandably long statement this afternoon, you expressed the hope that, given that 35 right hon. and hon. Members wanted to speak in the army debate, speeches would be kept short —especially those made by members of both Front Benches. As things turned out, the speeches of the Minister for State and of my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid) together lasted—understandably, because of interventions—100 minutes. Is it not a matter of some concern to the House, when a time limit is imposed on Back-Benchers, that a speech of 56 minutes should be made by the Minister?
When I asked the Leader of the House on 6 June whether there would be any time in tonight's debate for reflection on the Gulf war—of the kind that the House had after the Crimean war, the Jameson raid, and the Falklands war—he replied:
As I said earlier, when we are debating defence matters, it may be possible to raise some of the issues that the hon. Gentleman mentions."—[Official Report, 6 June 1991; Vol. 192, c. 420.]
For many of us, and particularly the dissenters, that has not proved possible.
Mr Bernard Weatherill
, Croydon North East
I understand the hon. Member's point.
Mr Bernard Weatherill
, Croydon North East
It is not for me to give the Minister that sort of guidance. By way of general guidance, I suggest that if Departments give their Ministers a 15-minute speech, it may turn out to be a 30-minute speech, whereas a speech intended to last for 30 minutes may take longer. It is a question of self-discipline. If the speeches made by the Minister and by the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid) had each lasted only 30 minutes, it would have been possible for other hon. Members to be heard.
Mr Teddy Taylor
, Southend East
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I refer to item 9 on the Order Paper, concerning rates of duty on mineral oils, which seeks to set taxes two years in advance—for the first time, without a Bill being put before Parliament. That seems contrary to Standing Order No. 53. Is it in order, therefore, for the House to consider that motion?
Mr Bernard Weatherill
, Croydon North East
I have been informed that motion No. 9 will not be moved tonight.
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To allow another Member to speak.
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Sir Archie Hamilton
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence