HC Deb 20 March 1917 vol 92 cc36-7
Mr. GINNELL

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland Question No. 71? You have miscounted, Sir, on a previous occasion. If you count from the beginning you will find that that is so.

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that the hon. Member has had more than his share. No. 69 is the eighth question. Nos. 70 and 71 are superfluous.

Mr. GINNELL

I have not put 69. I have postponed it. I have only asked six questions. I beg to ask Question No. 71.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have told the hon. Member that he has got more than his fair share on the Paper. Therefore I cannot put his last question.

Mr. S. ROBERTS

I beg to ask whether the clerks at the table cannot be instructed not to take any more questions from any one Member as soon as they have got eight questions from that Member?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is not always easy owing to the manner in which questions are sent in, and the fact that questions are sometimes put off from one day to another. It really rests with me. It is part of my business to go through the questions every day, and I am responsible if I call a Member improperly.

Mr. GINNELL

I understand that I am entitled to ask eight questions and I have asked only seven.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have already pointed out that there are ten questions on the Paper. I called by mistake the ninth question. I am not going to call the tenth.

Mr. GINNELL

I have asked only six questions.