§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Prime Minister, whether he can see his way to restore the former practice of the Minister making his statement on the first Vote submitted to the Committee of Supply, and thus allowing the honourable Member who has obtained the first place in the Ballot on going into Committee of Supply on the Estimates to move his Resolution at the commencement of the sitting, so that an adequate time may be allotted for the question which he wishes to discuss, and the ancient constitutional practice restored?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt has been the general, though not the uniform, practice for many years that the Minister's statement should be made with the Speaker in the Chair: a course which seems to have been adopted in response to the general desire of the House. If I find indications of a general desire to revert to the older practice, the Government will be glad to act upon them.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo one knows better than my right hon. Friend.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that attention was called 28 to this very great grievance which is felt on the Debate which took place last week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is a matter in which the Government has no interest one way or the other. It is a matter for the House entirely.