§ 48. Sir ARTHUR MARKHAMasked the Prime Minister whether the highest possible authority accessible to him, upon whom he relied in making his statement at Newcastle that neither our Allies nor 1452 ourselves were hampered by our failure to provide ammunition, was Lord Kitchener or any other official in the War Office?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)This question is identical in terms with the one which was put down on the Paper last week, and which was, at my request, withdrawn. I should not have made that request unless I were satisfied that, in the public interest, it is not at present expedient that I should say more on this subject than what I stated to the House a fortnight ago. I must, therefore, make the same appeal to my hon. Friend.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIn reply, I cannot accede to that appeal; and I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether in view of his reply, he does not think that a very grave slur is cast upon General Sir John French, as the only possible authority can be him; and is it not the fact that General Sir John French was in no way responsible for this statement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is just raising the sort of point which it is most undesirable to do in the interests of the Army, and of the campaign. Questions of the kind should not be put.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMI desire to know whether it is in the interests of the nation that a statement should be made by the Prime Minister which is absolutely without foundation? [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame!"] It is true, is it not?
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I inquire if the highest interests of the nation are not the lives of the young soldiers who have been sacrificed by incompetence in high places? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Every time I rise to ask a question I am interrupted by the unmannerly remarks of a Gentleman quite close to me. I try to treat him with due contempt, but he insists on forcing upon me his disagreeable voice.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe best plan, perhaps, is not to ask such a supplementary question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]
§ Mr. PRINGLEOn a point of Order. Is a Member of this House to be disentitled to ask a supplementary question because of the observations made by hon. Gentlemen surrounding him?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the supplementary question is a pertinent and proper one, there will be no exception taken to it by anybody. If it is not of that character, 1453 hon. Members, as well as myself, are entitled to exercise a discretion as to whether or not we wish to hear it.
§ Mr. LYNCHOn a point of Order. May I say that if I cannot get protection, I will deal with the hon. Member myself. I am quite capable of doing so.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand, Mr. Speaker, that you are not the authority in this House as to the orderly or disorderly nature of a supplementary question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am the final authority, certainly; but it is open to hon. Members to interrupt—provided interruptions are not carried too far—to show their dissent from the line taken by any hon. Member who asks a question of the sort, especially after an appeal such as that by the Prime Minister, and when the question is evidently opposed to the general sense of the House.