HC Deb 10 July 1911 vol 28 cc28-9
Mr. JOHN O'CONNOR

On Thursday, Sir, I had a question addressed to the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Colonies, at whose request it was postponed until to-day. When my name was called, I rose in my place and stated the question was postponed until Monday. I cannot find it in to-day's Paper, and, as it affects a subject where the life of a human being is in peril, I feel rather aggrieved it does not appear in the Paper. Will the right hon. Gentleman answer now?

Mr. HARCOURT

The question has really been answered in the Press in anticipation. The unfortunate lady has been reprieved and has received a free pardon.

Mr. JOHN O'CONNOR

Having regard to the fact that my question appeared on the Paper on Thursday, and it was postponed at the request of the right hon. Gentleman until Monday, how does it come to pass that the answer to the question appeared the very next morning in the newspapers?. If the facts were in the possession of the right hon. Gentleman at the time—and I can scarcely think they were—how was it I did not get an answer? And, if they were not in the right hon. Gentleman's possession at the time, was it not discourteous to an hon. Member who had been asked to postpone his question to send them to the papers?

Mr. HARCOURT

No, Sir, the possible answer to the hon. Gentleman's question was not in my possession, and it was for that reason I asked him to postpone it, because I believed by Monday the answer would be in my possession. The communication to the Press was not made by me and probably came from the district concerned.

Mr. SPEAKER

With regard to the question the hon. Member puts to me, I think it would facilitate matters if hon. Members who desire to postpone their questions to a particular date would give notice at the Table. It is really not sufficient notice to the Clerks at the Table merely to get up and say: "The question is postponed till Monday or Tuesday." Their attention is very often occupied by other matters, and they may not catch it or be able to make the alteration. If hon. Members would just give themselves the trouble to inform the Clerks at the Table the date on which they wish their questions to be put down, it would greatly facilitate matters.

Mr. JOHN O'CONNOR

I quite believe the right hon. Gentleman could not have the information at the time, and I think I said so in putting my question.