§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPerhaps I may be allowed to say a few words on the subject, of Questions under the new Rules, which come into operation on Monday next. It will be remembered that the House decided that there was to be no such power of the subsequent rearrangement of Questions as that the important ones were to be put in the privileged earlier part of the list of Questions, and the less important at the end, where there was some possibility of their being excluded from having an oral reply. Of course, that decision of the House stands, and must be fully accepted. I do think, however, that it might be convenient if I could arrange that the first fifty starred Questions shall, as far as possible, be so arranged that those which are addressed to the same Minister shall be grouped together. I Lankly acknowledge that this would be convenient to the Ministers of hard-worked Departments, on whom, under the new system, a considerable additional strain will be thrown. If this grouping were agreed to, it must, of course, be carried out consistently with the arrangements already come to by the House, and must not in any way interfere with them. I think this proposal will not only be to the convenience of Ministers, but of Members asking Questions also.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)By what authority does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make this proposed arrangement?
§ MR. DILLONAs one who first took exception to the proposed arrangement, I may say that I have no objection whatever to the proposal, as long as the classification is based exclusively on the convenience of the Ministers.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURHear, hear!
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I think it is the general feeling that the arrangement proposed should, at any rate, have a fair trial. There is a disposition in all parts of the House to do as much as we can for the convenience of hard-worked Ministers.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWhat is proposed to be done with the Questions subsequent to the first fifty?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAt the doubtful margin of Questions there may be a little inconvenience to Ministers, but, if so, I am afraid I cannot avoid that. It is clear that we must not interfere with the decision of the House. I understand I have the permission of the House to do my best to make a convenient arrangement.
§ MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)As I was one of those who took the strongest objection to the proposal as it stood in the Rule, I may say I entirely approve the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion, which will effect a reform that has long been wanted.
§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)Are we to understand that on Monday only those Questions which are starred will be answered orally?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe Rule comes in force on Monday.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)pointed out that it might happen that all the first fifty Questions would be addressed to one Minister, say the Secretary for Ireland.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat could not happen, as we shall take the first fifty Questions as we find them. The Clerks at the Table would have no trouble in arranging them so as to suit the convenience of particular Ministers.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)said there were Questions for Monday which were put down before the Rule was passed, and for which obviously an oral answer was desired. Seeing that they had no asterisk attached to them, how would they be treated?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROn Monday, it is to be assumed, the asterisked Questions on the list will be answered orally, and the others not necessarily so; I have no doubt, however, that there will be a certain elasticity in the method in which Ministers answer Questions on the first day, the better to meet the convenience of hon. Members. But the Rule will be in operation.
§ MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)Would it not be a reasonable assumption that Questions put down before the Rule was passed were intended to be answered orally?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI shall be glad to fall in with the general views of the House.