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Questions To Ministers

Volume 903: debated on Friday 16 January 1976

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

The hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) raised a point of order yesterday regarding Prime Minister's Questions.

The content of the answer to a particular Question, or type of Question, is a matter for the Minister concerned, and I do not think that this is something on which Mr. Speaker can make rulings.

So far as Questions on engagements are concerned, a blocking answer is not a new development and the Prime Minister has explained his current practice to the House on a number of occasions—Hansard for 14th October, col. 1127; 23rd October, col. 707; and 4th November, col. 225. Whilst I cannot rule on this matter, my personal opinion, for what it is worth, is that the Prime Minister is quite right.