HC Deb 15 March 1923 vol 161 cc1749-50
36. Mr. BECKER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost per question of preparing Answers to Questions submitted by hon. Members of this House, and if any considerable saving to the national Exchequer would be effected if questions were not asked at all; and, if so, how much?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Stanley Baldwin)

I am unable to give an Estimate, but it is no doubt true that considerable expenditure of time and money is involved in answering Parliamentary Questions. It would not, however, be in accordance with the wishes of the House, so far as I can judge them, that the Government should take steps to curtail Members' rights to question Ministers.

Mr. ERSKINE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what it cost to answer the Question in question?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is there not a great deal of exaggeration in regard to the alleged cost of these Questions? Are not the officials there in any case, and would they not be doing very little if they had not to answer them? Is it not a fact that a Parliamentary Question is one thing and—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member is giving his own views.