54. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime-Minister whether he is aware of the very small small percentage of absent voters who now record their votes at bye-elections; and whether, under the circumstances, the Government will return to the pre-War system of closing the poll definitely for all voters on the actual day of the election?
§ Dr. ADDISONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to the question of the hon. Member for the Honiton Division, of which I am sending him a copy.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on this point—whether questions that have already been put on the Order Paper should be anticipated by Members putting the same questions by private notice?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt may be that hon. Members have not noticed questions on the Paper, and that that is why they put questions by private notice. It is most undesirable to appropriate the questions of others.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not the duty of someone to see that the rule is not infringed?