HC Deb 13 October 1915 vol 74 cc1295-8
Mr. PRINGLE

I desire to ask the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are a hundred and sixty-four questions on the Paper for to-morrow, and that that number will be increased by the questions postponed from to-day, and whether, in these circumstances, he will not move the suspension of Standing Order 19 for to-morrow's Sitting?

The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Lloyd George)

I understand that if it were desirable to create a precedent to-morrow would be the most unsuitable occasion, because my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has a most important statement to make.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Are we to understand that the Foreign Secretary cannot keep his reply back for a quarter of an hour? Does it make any material difference whether he makes that statement at 4 o'clock or 3.45? Having regard to the fact that the Prime Minister has asked that three questions put down for to-day should be postponed till to-morrow, that means that if the right hon. Gentleman answers those questions, the questions of three other Members will be shut out. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman particularly if he is going to be bound by precedent?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

There are many occasions upon which questions have exceeded the limits allowed by the Standing Orders. I think that before we depart from a system which, on the whole, has been found to meet the general convenience of the House, it would, at any rate, be desirable to choose a more suitable and convenient occasion than the one when the Foreign Secretary is to make a statement which, I am certain, the whole House is eagerly awaiting.

Mr. KING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement made by Monsieur Viviani yesterday in Paris really deprives the Foreign Secretary's statement of a great deal of its originality and interest? [HON. MEMBERS: "NO, no!"]

Sir H. DALZIEL

I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman in what form it is intended that the Foreign Secretary should make his statement to-morrow? Is he aware that there is a general desire that it should be made in some form that would allow Members, should they so desire after the statement, to offer some comments upon it, having regard to the fact that both the French Chamber and the other House have an opportunity of discussing the statement, which the House of Commons does not possess? I, therefore, ask him whether he would represent to the Prime Minister, if he is unable to give a reply now, that the wish of certain Members of the House is that the statement may be made in a form which would allow of discussion?

Mr. CHAPLIN

Before toe right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I put to him another, that is, whether he is aware that there is undoubtedly a feeling in some parts of the House that it would be well to hear the statement before it is decided what course the Debate should take upon it afterwards?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I shall represent all these views to my right hon. Friend. I understand there is a question on the Paper for to-morrow on that very suggestion.

Sir A. MARKHAM

That will be too late.

Mr. FELL

On a point of Order, Sir. Would it not be possible to make a more satisfactory arrangement for putting down questions over the week-end when we are sitting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday? I understand that notice was given to-day of a large number of these questions which are down for to-morrow. It is very inconvenient to have eighteen questions to-day and 150 to-morrow.

Mr. SPEAKER

That would require the repeal of the Standing Order. The Standing Order says that forty-eight hours' notice is to be given of questions. At a time when Ministers are very much pressed it is very desirable that they should have plenty of time to prepare their answers. A question put down for to-day to be answered to-morrow does not give sufficient time.

Mr. FELL

I was not quite so explicit. These questions were sent in to the clerks at the Table last Friday.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member forgets that the House was adjourned during the whole of last week. The special rules with regard to handing in questions apply where the House rises from the Thursday, night to the Tuesday morning. In this case arrangements are made for the reception and circulation of questions. When the House adjourns for a week or ten days there is no one in attendance.

Mr. ROWLANDS

May I ask whether when hon. Members hand in more than eight questions for one day they can be prevented from being put on the Paper? I think to-morrow some hon. Members have more than eight questions down.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have not looked through the list yet, but if there are any in excess of eight they will be struck out, and they will have to go over until next week.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Is it in accordance with the rules of the House for an hon. Member to hand in a question which deals Member to hand in a question which deals communication sent by a Minister to the Press? I desire, also to ask the Minister of Munitions whether he will convey to the Prime Minister that Ministers have recently adopted the practice of sending communications to the Press instead of making them to the House, and is he aware that under the rules laid down by Mr. Speaker a. Member cannot ask a question which gives any reply made by a newspaper to a communication by a Minister, and that therefore right hon. Gentlemen should make their statements in Parliament, so that Members should have an opportunity of debating the question.

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not quite know how much of that question is meant for me. The rule is that we do not allow quotations from newspapers. This is not the place for a reply to newspaper statements. The place to reply to statements in a newspaper is in the newspaper. That is the general principle, which seems to be sound.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Where a Minister sends to a newspaper matters relating to policy in the administration of his office it is not, I take it, under your ruling possible to ask a question at the Table relating to the answer that the newspaper made?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is perfectly possible. The only thing that is not possible is to make quotations from the newspaper using inverted commas, and showing that they are quotations. There is no objection to asking a Minister on what ground certain statements are made, or to suggesting criticism of the letter or communication which he has sent.

Sir A. MARKHAM

My question was refused yesterday.

Mr. SPEAKER

I should like to see the terms of the question. I think I could very soon alter the drafting so as to bring it into order.