§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the fact that the Government proposes to take all the time of private Members up to Easter and the few opportunities private Members now have of bringing before Parliament important matters affecting their constituents, he will consider the advisability of proposing alterations in the Standing Orders of the House and extending the time for Ministers answering orally questions put to them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I cannot see that any useful purpose would be served by the adoption of such a course as the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. LEEWith regard to the latter part of the question, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the questions addressed to the War Office have come last every day of the week except one, and as a result the affairs of that Department are withdrawn from criticism?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will look into it.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that during the whole of the Session questions were not completed in the three-quarters of an hour at the disposal of Members, and whether steps cannot be taken to remedy this by extending question time up to four o'clock, so long as private Members' time is taken from them by the Government?