§ 31. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the proportionate contribution of each of the Allies to the total of the forces in the field?
§ Sir E. CARSONBefore this question is answered may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether this question is not calculated and intended to create friction between the Allies?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat may well be, but I am not entrusted with those powers of censorship. What I have to see is that questions comply with the ordinary Parliamentary rules.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI should certainly consider myself very ill-advised if I gave this information.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITErose to ask a supplementary question.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman—
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhether at a recent meeting—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must ask hon. Gentlemen to remain silent.
Colonel CRAIGIs there no way in which we can prevent this hon. Member from asking questions which are obviously intended to embarrass this country and her Allies?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf there was any Standing Order to that effect I should be happy to carry it out.
Colonel CRAIGHave you not already ruled that if there was a desire expressed by hon. Members on this side of the House—
Colonel CRAIGThat if hon. Members on either side of the House expressed a desire not to hear an hon. Member, that would be in order?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have no recollection of any such ruling.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that from time immemorial Members of this House have been entitled to show their feelings?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have no objection whatever to their showing their feelings; the objection is to their interrupting the business of the House.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether at a recent meeting in London the figures were disclosed of the British forces in the field and proportional estimates given of the Russian 28 forces? Can he say whether these figures were divulged by the War Office to Lord Northcliffe?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is obviously a question of which notice should be given.