§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in connection with the changes made in the reporting of the "Parliamentary Debates," instructions have been given not to send proofs of Questions asked in the House and Answers given by Ministers to Members; and, if so, 841 whether, seeing the difficulty in many instances of obtaining the answers, he will give instructions for the former practice to be renewed, so that two proofs of each Question may be sent to each Member?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURYQuestions printed on the Notice Paper naturally need not be sent for correction. Supplementary questions are speeches, and proofs of them should be sent in the same way as those of ordinary speeches. Proofs of answers are, of course, only sent to those who make the answers—just as other speeches are only sent to those who make them. No contract has ever provided for the answers being sent to those who put the Questions, as it is not for the questioner to correct the answer. No instructions one way or the other have been given, as the contract in no way differs in this respect from those previously made.
§ MR. LOUGHI would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, arising out of that answer, whether a change has not been made in the custom of the House; and whether it does not arise from the fact that a much smaller amount is being paid for the contract?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! There is nothing about the custom of the House in the Question.
§ MR. LOUGHIn the last line of the Question, with great respect to you, Sir, there is a distinct allusion to the practice of the House, and, as I have suffered great inconvenience, I should be very glad if the right hon. Gentleman can give me fuller information.
§ MR. HANBURYTwo proofs of all supplementary Questions will, of course, be sent.
§ MR. LOUGHI disapprove of supplemental Questions. It is the answer to the Question itself I like to get proofs of.
§ MR. HANBURYThe Question itself is actually printed on the Notice Paper, and I do not see how it is possible to correct it.
§ MR. HANBURYThese proofs are only sent to the persons making the speeches or giving the answers.
§ MR. HANBURYBecause you do not give the answers.
§ MR. LOUGHI would ask whether it is not of vital importance to the person who asks the Question to get the answer.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now discussing the matter. The Question has been fully answered.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis). With regard to the remark as to a supplemental Question, would you, Sir, not stop it if you considered it a speech?
§ MR. SPEAKERI do not think that question arises out of the answer.
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)As the answers are not given so fully as formerly, will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon his colleagues the necessity of speaking out?
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