§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister why no Minister representing the Scottish Office was present when the financial Resolution 807 relating to the Whale Fisheries (Scotland) Bill was considered in Committee of the Whole House early on Wednesday morning; and whether, when Members are kept here very late to discuss Scottish measures, he will take care that some responsible Minister shall also be in attendance to facilitate their progress.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am sorry I was not present, but I was not aware that the Bill was coming forward. I will do my best to be present in future.
§ VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH (Maidstone)asked if there was any way by which the Prime Minister could let his Ministers know exactly what business was coming on.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)Ministers are like other men, and not always infallible, and sometimes are mistaken in their estimates.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURCan the Prime Minister ensure that Ministers shall be present when Questions relating I to their Departments are asked?
§ Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not think that such absence often occurs [Cries of "Oh, oh!"] except when the earlier Questions are rushed through, for some reason, at a greater pace than usual, and so upset calculations.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURIt has occurred many times of late.