HC Deb 21 February 1919 vol 112 cc1297-8
Mr. WATERSON

had given notice of the following question:

23. To ask the Prime Minister whether orders for bricks, doors, and windows in the Government's housing scheme have entirely to be of British make; if not, where are they expected to come from; and why there has been need to go beyond our shores for the fulfilment of these contracts; and if he will also state whether the rates of pay, if such are imported, are favourable to the standard in this country?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

I should be obliged if these questions which have been put down could be postponed until Monday.

Mr. DEVLIN

May I ask why it is that neither the Minister of Labour nor his Parliamentary representative is here to answer these questions?

Mr. SPEAKER

Ministers are not obliged to be here on Friday to answer questions.

Mr. DEVLIN

But that decision was only arrived at yesterday, or, at least, the announcement was only made by the Leader of the House yesterday, and I must protest that this is a growing scandal in the House of Commons.

Mr. SPEAKER

I beg the hon. Member's pardon. The Rule of the House has always been that there should be no questions on Friday. That has been the case as long as I have been a Member of the House. During the War, by reason of special circumstances, it happened frequently that questions were asked, but that was done nearly always by arrangement between the Member asking the question and the hon. or right hon. Gentleman who had to reply.