HC Deb 14 November 1917 vol 99 c391
Mr. LYNCH

I rise, Sir, to put a question which concerns yourself on a matter in which I think you have done me, as a Member of the House, some injustice. I desire to submit to you reasons which may perhaps induce, you to revise your judgment. Yesterday I put on the Notice Paper a question, which appeared to me to be in order, which asked for something definite to be done on the ground of a certain definite fact. Looking ever the questions today, I see there are many questions of the same character. The question which I submitted was, " To ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of his recognition of the fait that many of the disasters that have befallen the Allied arms have been due to the lack of unity of command, he can now indicate the advice on which he acted when proposals tending to unity of command were brought forward in this House by the Member for West Clare many months ago, and in time to have averted the Italian disaster; and whether, having regard to the situation that has ensued as a result of ignoring these proposals, he will announce a complete reorganisation of the War Cabinet? " I should like to know the reason why that question was refused?

Mr. SPEAKER

It appeared to me that the question of the hon. Member, as handed in, was more suited for discussion in Debate than for question and answer at Question Time. It seemed to contain some doubtful statements and also some arguments, and was not a question proper to raise at Question Time seeking for information, but was rather intended to criticise past action.