§ Mr. BILLING (by Private Notice)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will appeal to the Government of the United States of America to concentrate-immediately on the construction and commission of a great Air Service, and also whether this Government is prepared to supply the American Government with sample machines, engines, drawings, and specifications of our latest and most successful types, and to render them every other possible assistance to this end?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not entitled now to ask any further questions. Had I been aware of the fact that he desired to ask a Private 1513 Notice question, I should have called upon him before the hon. Member for North-West Lanark (Mr. Pringle) had asked leave of the House to move the Adjournment.
§ Mr. BILLINGOn the point of Order. I sent this question by registered post both to the Chair and to the Prime Minister. I think the Prime Minister has received it.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERIt certainly has not reached me, or I should have taken notice of it before allowing the last Motion.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill you advise the House whether, when in the Chair, you receive letters addressed to Mr. Speaker or not?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERAs a rule I do, but possibly the hon. Member's letter has been posted on to Mr. Speaker. I am not aware whether that is so or not, but it certainly has not reached me.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I ask whether it is not quite within the competence of an hon. Member, without notification to Mr. Speaker at all, to ask a question of which he has given Private Notice? Generally, as a matter of courtesy, notice is given to Mr. Speaker, but dozens of times I have sent Private Notice questions to Ministers without intimation to the Chair, and these questions have always been allowed.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThat is perfectly correct, but a Motion for the Adjournment has to be taken at the end of questions, and I cannot revert to questions after that has been dealt with. Had I observed the hon. Member for Hertfordshire (Mr. Billing), I should have taken his question before the question of the hon. Member for North-West Lanark.
§ Mr. BILLINGIn view of the fact that the Leader of the House rose to reply, and evidently has the information necessary, is it not possible for the Chair to permit the Leader of the House to do as he wishes?