Plenary, 08 Jun 2000

Meeting date: Thursday, June 8, 2000

Official Report 638KB pdf

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Points of Order

On a point of order. There seem to be considerable difficulties—[Interruption.]

Order. I am trying to listen to a point of order.

There still appear to be considerable difficulties with question time. For you, Presiding Officer, those difficulties relate to the length of questions, but there are also difficulties with the length of answers. I ask you to consider the answer from the acting First Minister to Mrs Ullrich's question, which must be almost a new record.

I am always willing to consider such issues. [Interruption.] Order. May I respond to the point of order?

The real problem that the chamber must accept is that the standing orders are quite specific and I, as much as any other member, am governed by them. They state quite clearly that questions must be brief. I am afraid that Mrs Ullrich asked at least three questions before I asked her to cease. The standing orders say nothing about the length of ministerial answers.

On a further point of order. I hope that you are indicating that the standing orders must begin to take account of the fact that the answers are neither brief nor are they answers. It would help the situation if ministerial answers were covered by the standing orders.

I notice that the convener of the Procedures Committee is listening to this point of order; I hope that that committee will consider the matter.

We should continue to discuss such matters. I am certainly not happy with the way in which matters are proceeding, and I can tell that members are not happy either.