§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. Is there any definite ruling as to the obligation of Ministers to be here on Fridays to answer questions? I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that questions are permitted by you to appear on the Paper, that Friday is a Parliamentary day, and that it is only for the convenience of the House that we meet at 11 o'clock. I think it would be more courteous if Ministers would try and be here, especially as this is the last Friday, I understand; and I think it has been ruled that on the last Friday before a considerable adjournment questions are answered. One Minister has been good enough to come here. We all appreciate it, and if one can be here, I think the others could be here.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODShow a good example to us when we come into power.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is a long-established custom of the House that we do not deal, 390 as a rule, with oral questions on a Friday, as Ministers are expected to be busy in their offices. The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) suggests that this is the last Friday, but I do not think the world is coming to an end to-day.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEOn a point of Order. If questions are not supposed to be answered on Friday, why are they put down on the Order Paper for the day?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is no rule to prevent them being put down. That is the reason. But it is a custom of the House of very long standing not to expect oral answers on a Friday.