§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I wish to ask your kind attention, Mr. Speaker, to a matter which I think affects the privileges of Members of this House. Yesterday I gave notice that to-day I would repeat a question I had on the Paper with regard to the capture of the Derbyshire Regiment, a question which the Under Secretary for War, in my opinion, had not answered. I expected that, as a matter of course, after I had given notice across the floor of the House, it would appear among to-day's questions, but it does not do so. I wish to know if the omission is made by your direction or if it is the act of the clerks, from whom I have always, received so much courtesy. If it has been done after consulting you, I think I should have been communicated with.
§ *MR. SPEAKERI think it may save time if I at once state that the hon. Member was understood simply to have given notice that he would put the question some other day. The Clerk at the Table consulted me, and as he said that no notice had been given by the hon. Member to put the question down for the next day, I directed to wait until fresh instructions were given. I understood also that the Under Secretary for War thought he had answered the question, in which case it should not be put down again.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIt must have been my fault for not speaking 366 distinctly. I certainly did give the notice. I hope the hon. and learned Gentleman, however, will now put the question down for Thursday.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat shall be done if the hon. Member thinks the question has not been answered.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLCertainly I consider it has not been answered.