Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 12 Rhagfyr 1973.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. We have just had an important announcement from the Government regarding the continuation of the state of emergency. It took, including the time taken by hon. Members who were called, less than eight minutes to question the Minister. In view of the gravity of the situation, and as it has been clearly indicated that we shall not have a debate until next Tuesday or Wednesday, surely more time should have been allowed for hon. Members to raise important questions at this stage? The House would then have been fully aware of the circumstances prior to the debate. Further, some hon. Members may have had some concrete suggestions to make to the Government as to how to get out of the situation without a state of emergency.