§ Mr. BILLINGI should like you, Sir, to explain to me why a question was refused which I took to the Table fourteen days ago bearing on an article in the "Financial News," the question being, "What 419 action the Government proposed, or if they proposed to take any action against the 'Financial News' for articles which they had published bearing on the probity of British Ministers of such a character as to cause dismay among the Allies? "The question now appears on the Paper, No. 71, in the name, I think, of the hon. Member (Colonel Gretton). Perhaps you will tell me why one Member is allowed to put down a question and another is not?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not recollect all the questions which have been submitted to me or those which have been refused. If the hon. Member could provide me with a copy of the one which was refused, I should probably be able, from intrinsic evidence, to show him the reason of its refusal.
§ Mr. BILLINGAm I to understand that you are the final court of appeal, and that in each case when the Table refuses a question the clerks must take the question personally to you?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am responsible. I have very heavy duties, and as far as I can I discharge them, but the gentlemen at the Table assist me very much in the discharge of the duties. If they have any doubts they bring the question to me.