§ 71. Mr. FELLasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the increase in the number of starred questions put every day to Ministers, exceeding 200 sometimes; and, seeing that certain Members are repeatedly putting down the full number of eight questions each day, will he consider the suggestion of limiting the number of questions to two or three for each Member?
§ 75. Sir STEPHEN COLLINSasked the Prime Minister whether, notwithstanding the extension of time given for questions, a large number from day to day cannot be replied to, and the number of questions is still increasing, he will consider the advisability of recommending an alteration 582 of the Standing Orders, so as to allow, say, but three questions per day to each Member?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am, as I have several times stated to the House, fully aware of the labour thrown upon Ministers and their Departments by the large number of questions addressed to them, but I doubt if the suggestion contained in these questions would receive general support and I hope that the evil will be remedied by the patriotism and good sense of hon. Members.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if his suggestion had been adopted it would not have saved twenty questions to-day?
§ Mr. FELLIs there no remedy which can be suggested to enable more questions to be directed to Ministers personally?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is obviously a matter for the consideration of the House of Commons rather than the Government. What we wish is to avoid giving extra trouble to the Departments much more than to Ministers. But I can do nothing until the general sense of the House takes that view.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the right hon. Gentleman take the general sense of the House as soon as possible?