QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE FLOOR

Early day motion 1579, tabled 11 July 2003 by Harry Barnes (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House appreciates the regular interventions of Mr Speaker to encourage honourable Members to ask succinct questions and for Ministers to respond in similar ways, thus enabling more honourable Members to be called during question times and in response to Ministerial statements; accepts the wise words of Plato (Protagoras 3429 - 3436) 'that the art of framing brief, taut and telling phrases is a mark of the highest culture'; and affirms its intention to now pursue the precept of Plato for 'laconic brevity'.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, UUP 1.